METABOLIC RUSH

12x12, pastel on wallis

I did this scene in oil in a 6x6 few weeks ago and thought I would try it in pastel with a cooler palette.  I am a heavy handed pastelist and tend to lay down color heavy with wide strokes.  My problem is then I want to fuss.  Yesterday I took this to a meeting of a group I belong to that is nurturing and filled with wonderful people.  The purpose of the group started with the idea of being a monthly critique.  So for years I have brought my work and enjoyed the feed back.  Along with the wonderful friendships that have been made.  

So I started this yesterday and did not feel done and everyone said stop.  It was fresh and loose with confident application.  I can be stubborn and insisted I needed to continue working.  Well I am here to say I liked it better before.  Mostly I liked the surface quality.  Lesson learned to sit with something that does not feel comfortable until it settles in and the wisdom shared is utilized to the best interest of the painting.  It made me think that I was not in the moment of what was happening before me and more lost in an idea or concept without a clear plan.  I think some call that noodling.