Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Transition

Artistically I am befuddled. I know where I’ve already been and I’m not sure where I want to go next. I certainly know what I am tired of doing. At this point I find myself in transition to whatever is next.

Just painting and not having a direction can really be a disaster. I work best when I have a general idea and dive in. Minus that and I just make a mess
of materials.

Over the last few years I have made a point of looking at art that is being made now. I’ve traveled to see art elsewhere. Nothing has moved me to do something specific, but I have been moved by some of the work I’ve seen.
I guess all the visual input will eventually be a catalyst for whatever I
make next.

Oh, I wish this would happen soon . . .

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Up All Night!

Marathon painting is not ideal, but sometimes I just have no choice.
Thus was the scenario last Tuesday night. By 6 p.m. Wednesday I had to deliver art for an annual art show. That was the “cut-off.” It’s one of the better-attended shows I participate in all year. Last year’s show was canceled with all the Katrina upset.

So I had the television going and I set up my palette near the range in the kitchen. I had my roll of paper towels ready. Yes, I am a messy painter.
The remote was to my right. As I completed another area of dots, I had to find a place for that canvas to dry. Rotating between three canvases worked out fine.

On into the a.m. hours I continued to mix and paint. What color do I do next? Once in a while I had to change channels on the tube. Finally around 6 a.m. I was adding dots to the sides of the canvas. By 7 a.m. I was in bed resting up for the final touches.

Some hours later I sealed the pieces with a gloss finish. Around 1 p.m. I added signatures. After grabbing lunch I did I a final glaze over the signatures. Then I added screw eyes and wire. That went smoothly this go round. I labeled the backs of the canvases and put them in the car.

I drove madly Uptown for the drop-off. Arriving with an hour and a half to spare I breathed a sigh of relief. I set them down and was gone. Now I was back to the film fest schedule.

This weekend I finally managed to catch up on sleep. Marathon painting really did in me for a few days. I had hoped to finish these sooner having started them four months ago. Before I was sure how they were going to end up, I had to send in titles for the title cards. I simply named them
“Uno”, “Dos” and “Tres”. Click on the links to see them.