I came across this piece from 2002 yesterday while looking through some old files. It’s titled Trance and is a 20″ by 24″ canvas. It sold very quickly back then so as a result didn’t live with me for a long time. So when I come across it as I did it’s almost like seeing it for the first time. Eventually the feelings that the piece initially triggered when I was painting it are recalled.
It’s a very simple composition, so the feeling and depth of the painting are dependent on being carried by color and strength of line. The imagery, though simple, is strong with all detail pared away leaving the viewer to focus deeper into the scene. Though there is subtlety in the color it’s not delicate which goes back to what I’ve said before about preferring bold lines and colors, that a strong, confident stroke is always preferable to fussy or wishy-washy, of which this piece is neither.
In other words, I like this piece’s strength and simplicity.
I’m currently in the midst of preparing a group of new work for later this autumn for the galleries that represent my work. It’s a different atmosphere and pace than prepping for a solo show. There is less direction and more opportunity to examine new avenues, new concepts. I’ve been primarily working in the obsessionist style I’ve spoken of before, a style that I’ve shown in recent posts. The painting shown here, Trance, is an early example of the style although the newer work is more dependent on layers of brushstrokes in the sky to achieve the color and depth I’m seeking, giving it a much different look. You can see the difference in this new painting that I recently posted.
I have some other new ideas that I’ve been rolling around in my head for some time about which I will hopefully have something to post at a later date. But for now it’s back to the easel…
Redtree Times 
When I looked at Trance it reminded me of something I had seen before. It took me only a little time before I found it in your Dec 11, 2008 post. I really enjoy comparing two similar compositions – seems to deepen my appreciation of them.
Are similar pieces created in an independent manner (e.g., no intent but you are working from similar moods), are you trying to work out different concepts in the pieces (i.e., the pieces originate from the point but then branch out as you explore divergent ideas), or is the process different from what I envision?
Thanks again for doing your blog.
Hi, Gary–
It was interesting for me to see the two pieces side by side, with all the similarities of composition. I often, at certain points, find myself using the same vocabulary of imagery and composition. Often, it just happens without intent but sometimes I expressly go back to a composition, especially if it seems to have a particular ease of rhythm upon viewing. It’s as though, after doing one particular piece, I need to go back into that composition to see if there are other avenues to be explored, other ways to find expression in it.
“Trance” from yesterday’s post was done about a month before “Night Trance” ( the Dec 11 post) and I can see the changes that evolved, as “Trance” was one of the earliest of the “dark” pieces. The sky in “Night Trance” was less subtle and deeper in color. All the colors were more saturated.
That being said, I think both pieces work extremely well and have slightly different feels although the overriding feel is similar as expressed in the titles.
Hope that answers your question, Gary. Thanks for reading along.