Semi-Abstract out of Angst

 

On Arches 300# 11 x 14 inches

I wasn’t able to marry up the above photo to the actual painting but I tried. There is a raw sienna that isn’t showing up, especially in the bottom of the painting. The yellow is not as intense in reality and more cohesive, bear that in mind.

This painting had an awkward beginning full of turmoil, angst and finally an acceptance with a dash of love. My first plans for this painting was to re-paint a scene of a Sierra alpine lake. I had wetted both sides of my paper and put it on a piece of plexi-glass and proceeded to paint. Well, it was disaster from the beginning. It was mainly to do with my attitude and approach. I sometimes forget that a painting require time and patience to be allowed to develop.

I decided it wasn’t working and I washed it completely off and since there was a ghost image, I turned it over and started to paint on the other side. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I know by experience that not having a clear plan is disastrous.

As I brushed on paint trying (in desperation) for trees, I struggled through the entire process. I decided to stop fighting it and go with the flow. Before long I realized that my scene was turning into a semi-abstract of a swamp. What is very interesting is that I have been feeling like painting a swamp for the past week. I did not intend to paint a swamp at all, when I started to see a semblance of one emerging, it dawned on me that this was a desire of mine for several days. Isn’t that amazing?

My process of painting of late is that I paint intuitively and in the zone. If I am not painting in that ‘zone’, I take a break. I want to exhibit feeling and intuitive creativity. The later 50% painting of this piece was in the zone and that is truly what the painting experience is for me.

I have always loved the swamps of the southeast part of the United States and it has been years since I have seen one. The first time I have seen a swamp was in Louisiana when my family took a month long road trip back east. To this day, I have always been intrigued by them. I plan on searching through my photos to see if I can lay myself on a few. Happy Painting!

colors used (Daniel Smith): Indanthrone Blue, Hansa Yellow Light, Raw Sienna, Cobalt Blue, Prussian Blue

*A word about photos. The photos on my blog are mine, taken by me and copying them would be stealing from me. If you find a photo that you would like to copy or use, I request that you ask me for permission and I expect you to give me full credit for my own photo. Thank you so very much.