This is a new painting from the studio that I finished yesterday. It’s a 16″ by 20″ canvas that combines, for the first time, the elements of the Archaeology series with the painting style that I call obsessionist. The difference is visible when comparing the finer, more detailed work in the detritus of the Archaeology section at the painting’s bottom with the way the tree and sky above are painted, with more expressive, visible brushstrokes.
Also for the first time, I show the roots of the tree above. I had been thinking of doing this in the past and many people had inquired but I didn’t want to do it unless it maintained the rhythm of the piece for me. I don’t know how to explain how I judge this rhythm. It’s just a matter of looking at the piece and determining whether a sense of rightness exists. Do the elements flow easily together? Is there anything that makes the eye stop because of something, a line for instance, feeling unnatural? Just intuition, I guess. So far, I like the roots showing and feel they maintain the rhythm of this painting but I’m still taking in the piece.
It’s the time of the year when I can hold a piece for a while and soak it in, let it live in the periphery of my vision for weeks. This gives me a better sense of the piece’s cohesiveness. Sometimes a painting will feel complete and ready but, with a little time to let it be, reveals a need for something more. It may be a major change such as the addition of a whole new compositional element or just a tweak in a small bit of color in a small section of the painting.
It will be interesting to see what this piece reveals over the next few weeks…
Redtree Times 