Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Finished!



I started this painting over the summer at my friend Bev's.  Her sister, the amazing Martha Perkins of  My Sketch Experiment gave us an impromptu lesson in Bev's driveway.  We set up easels and tables and put the kids at their own table and went to town.  At one point a neighborhood dog came over and christened one of the girls' paintings that was drying in the sun.  I suspect it was making it's own mark on the work.

This painting has been through many changes, many layers. I think it has a car payment worth of paint on it. It was all white with just the background poking through in flower shapes.  Then it became giant, vibrant blue leaves with red and orange flowers. 

I hung it on my wall in my bedroom so it was the first thing I saw when I woke up every morning.  I stared at it.  I squinted.  I imagined what direction it might go.  And then I totally transformed it.  More than once.  More than twice.

Then I started the Flora Bowley e-course and this became my practice canvas.  I've been recording the progress of the big mama canvases here already but this was my cautious place where I could "safely" try out what I've been learning.  The class is about being BOLD.  This is dipping my toe in first before I try on my real bold.  I seem to have developed that hesitancy in all areas of my life.  Putting my own parentheses in wherever things feel too strong for my comfort.  But it's coming. 

I do believe I'm finished now.  Now to tackle those biggies....

No comments: