Once in a great while I show my works in progress here on the blog. I ‘m never too excited about it because in many of the stages that are shown the work still lacks that thing, that completeness, that gives it life. But there is a point earlier in the process where it does attain a certain sense of completion. It’s right after the initial blocking in of the painting with red oxide paint and after the the first layers of color have given the beginnings of light to the sky. It has a mood of its own at this juncture, a direction and a sense of the life it will have.
Outside of the final moments near the completion of the moment, this is by far my favorite stage of the process. After this, as more layers of color are added, it devolves for a while, becoming flat and dull on the surface. It loses any brightness. Without this early glimpse of what it might be, these later stages might be discouraging.
This early stage is one where I sometimes find myself wanting to stop, to go no further and just let it be as it is. But I always seem to push past this and move on to the fuller version that has more color and a bit more polish. I may show a few more stages along the way until the final version emerges. By the way, this a 24″ by 48″ canvas.
Being Sunday morning, it’s time for a little music. I have had an old Burt Bacharach song in my head for a few days, one from his heyday with Hal David where they churned out an amazing string of hits for Dionne Warwick in the early 60’s. His music always has a distinctive sound and feel. There is a coolness and lightness in the sound of much of his music that I can’t fully describe and Warwick’s strong but delicate phrasing fits it like a glove in these songs. I guess that’s why it sticks in my mind so well. Here’s Walk On By from Dionne Warwick. A little coolness for what I hope will be a great Sunday for you.
Redtree Times 
I’m glad you’re willing to share your process in images as well as words. It’s quite interesting to me as a non-artist, and salutary for me as a writer.
And I’m glad it is somewhat interesting to you!
Good morning, Gary. This one is terrific. I look forward to seeing the finished piece. With that said, and venturing off topic, the painting behind in the lower right made me smile for so many reasons. From the chair being the fruit of the tree, to the tree offering respite after climbing to the top of the top of the hill, to the glory that all trees give. I wouldn’t “Walk On By” either of these! Best wishes to you both.
Thanks, Claire. Good eye in catching that other painting! Still a few final touches before I show it but it should show up in the next week or so. Hope everything is going swimmingly out your way. Cheri sends a big hello.
No red tree in this one? Ah, well. Maybe it walked on by? Thanks for the blast from the past. I had forgotten how light and lovely Warwick’s voice is. I had also forgotten she has those Freddy Mercury buck teeth, which, like his teeth and Streisand’s nose, are part of what gives her, her unique sound — those and an impressive set of musical genes — she’s related to Whitney Houston (cousin), gospel singer Cissy Houston (aunt), and opera diva Leontyne Price (maternal cousin).
The Red Tree does have a place here but just hasn’t shown itself yet. Next photo will show it. Yes, Dionne Warwick definitely had a distinct look. When I was looking for a vido of this song there were several to choose from but some were so unflattering to her in the way they were shot that I just walked on by until I found one that was a bit kinder.
On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 7:33 AM, Redtree Times wrote:
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