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| 'Shattered' Mixed media on cradled panel 16" x 16" |
This painting started life as something entirely different until I reached the stage where I had to admit to myself that I didn’t know how to create what I really wanted, at this stage I was forced to change horses in mid stream and this is the result.
I have only been painting for 2 –3 years and have never had any instruction of any kind, so I have to learn everything by trial and error. I closely study paintings that I like, trying to figure out how this or that effect was achieved and I also read everything about painting that I can lay my hands on. Gradually I am gathering the knowledge to create the image that I have in my mind but sometimes I run into a brick wall and have to admit defeat.
13 comments:
well Ian, welcome to the outsider club, you do a great job, I think this piece is just smashing, I particularly like the dark edges, but then I am a bit crazy about edges...
I think it is wonderful to have no training, we have less rules to follow...
Hi Ian, in the abstract world its called Hard edge Painting , it's a really nice piece.
Greetings my friend Ian,
There are many advantages to not being trained, as I can attest too, for it allows one to be free of any pre-concieved notions or ideas. Yet at the same time, there is this wall we must confront and climb over.
Though I was trained as a graphic artist, I never learned about painting or working in the abstract medium, so when I did take one class in 2008, I leaned not technique, but a little about materials and mostly I was forced to free my mind.
Knowing just a little bit more about materials can make a huge difference in ones creativity and how it is expressed.
Personally I think you have made great progress in these last two years, there is more confidence then when you first started and you are slowly developing not only a sense of style but also the materials you like to work with. Just keep going.
Warmest regards,
Egmont
2-3 years!!! You must have been doing a lot in that time as your artwork speaks with experience.
I love the colours and textures you have got going in this. There's just enough violet/blue to set off the ochres and the composition is beautiful. Enough tension without it being overstated. Lovely.
i find your approach totally inspiring...
and results exciting. i, untrained, am easily frustrated with drawing and painting, it seems, feeling defeated at the moment...so ... my artistic excitement is currently realized in the darkroom with my photography...long abandoned. it seems to be TIME for that right now.
and, eventually, when i do attempt to communicate with the blank paper, i will keep your posts in mind.
let the spirit and intuition lead, nothing's a mistake, just be ready to "change horses"...thanks and all the best. SHATTERED is quite moving and beautiful in form, line, color...letting the LIGHT SHINE!
'defeat' is not the right word- no matter how long one has been painting- we are all experimenting and trying this and that- sometimes changing course mid-painting-- and sometimes the painting you had in mind just does not come out-- I have been painting 30 years and I still cover up paintings with my big bucket of gesso-- actually I think your painting works very well-- good composition and use of analogous colors.
Ian...so wonderful you're honoring your creative desires. Trial and error, experimentation, study, reading...it's all about process. Even if we hit "dead ends", there is not failure.
I just sat here at my laptop for the past 3 hours working on some digital images...I was very focused on a specific outcome.
After starting over again and again, I came away with nothing worth saving.
However, when I allow myself to play, to just see what might happen, well, that's when good stuff tends to happen.
I'm also a psychotherapist, and in my work with clients, I work to keep the focus on process, rather than outcome. Relieves the pressure...
Just keep painting, reading, studying, experimenting, trialing-and-erroring...
I think you have done a marvelous job with this work of art. The journey is what matters here and you had an exciting journey. Well done.
What you write is true for all artists. Who can say, sometimes we lose the excitement we started the painting with, sometimes we get another idea, there are many reasons a paintings does not "work." We are like doctors, we are always practicing. I do wonder why have you never taken a class? I would encourage at least one. You will meet like people, and hopefully you will get lots of encouragement, and maybe learn somethings. The way to success, is to continue. We only fail when we stop. I find the painting speaks to me about safety and warmth. There is something very sensual about the work. A nice place to be.
Your work consistently emmanates thoughtful exploration. My eye really loves the meander pattern that equates so much to nature, as do your colors.
I love a Gauguin's quote, "I close my eyes in order to see".
I too am self taught and I adore the process of 'not knowing' and allowing the work to take me where it will...and that's not to say that I haven't been a voracious student of the painting arts for decades.
beautiful work Ian.
Ian, marvelous!! excellent composition.
Hi Ian, I usually stock up on paints so when I run into a brick wall I can paint it:) I like the colors and the textures that you have created in this painting... Great work!!
Ian, I love it, really like a lot... composition and colors are fantastic!!!
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