I had my Gallery Talk yesterday at the West End Gallery in Corning and it went pretty well. Really good group of people who asked insightful questions and seemed very open to the things about which I was talking. I went quite a bit over the hour that was planned but I don’t think it dragged on. Hopefully, they enjoyed it as much as I did. They made it very easy for me.
One of the questions that came up was about whether I worked on more than one painting at a time or if I had paintings in varying degrees of completion. I immediately spoke about this piece, Quietheart, which was the centerpiece of my 2007 show at the West End.
At the end of 2006 I prepped a large panel, 34″ by 60″, layering in multiple layers of gesso to create a visually interesting base to hold up the paint above. I started the piece by painting a large block of color, consisting of varying reds and yellows that had quite a bit of intensity. The orangish color of the sky is this color. So I had this large block of color that I very much liked. It had the intensity I mentioned and the surface had a great texture that seemed to be visually stimulating throughout. It was right on the mark as far as I was concerned.
The problem was that I was now afraid to go any further with piece.
I so liked this first block of color, this base, that I felt I could only do harm to it by making another mark on it at this point. I felt I couldn’t add to, could only diminish from it’s impact. I gloried in the color and form but couldn’t see a next step at that point.
So I set it aside. It sat, prominently displayed in my studio, for six months and I would look at it each day and think that someday that would truly be something I would be proud of if I could ever dare to step into it once more. Finally, one day I pulled it down and said this is the day and with great trepidation, put a new brush of paint to it.
I was immediately engaged and the image as you see it above fell in place quickly. I breathed easier. I hadn’t diminished the original block, hadn’t made it secondary to the scene above it. I felt that its strength bonded with what I had added. I was pleased.
And that is the main criteria I have to meet.
So, yes I do have pieces at different points and most are just waiting for the right moment.
Again, many thanks to those who came out yesterday. It was most appreciated.
Redtree Times 