Art Log

Painting an image begins well before the brush ever hits the canvas. Foremost for me is the composition: arranging and re-arranging items for a still life, playing with shadow effects, trying different backgrounds, different views of the subject, macro views. I look for compositions that display strong value contrasts for the way I am painting at this time. Before the image is transferred to the canvas, a type of romance has begun, with all the uncertainties of a courting ritual and just as many twists and turns of real-life relationships in their initial stages. In this case, instead of the question, "What shall I wear? followed by all the "What if's?" it's choices of colour palette, brush strokes directions and sizes, background colours, and should I proceed in acrylic or oil? The questions can be endless, but in the initial stages, I generally know whether a project is worth pursuing or not. It's later, that I'm not sure sure, when I'm invested of time, materials and interest, that the quandaries loom large. Perhaps that's why I really enjoy works in progress. There's still time for a salvo, an interception, there's hope. And that's why I'm attaching these two works in progress for your viewing and reflection on your own process. Do you love any type of works in progress more than the finished pieces? I'd love to hear from you.