Recently, by some hazard, my attention was drawn to the works of artists using black steel with some rust as a painting surface. This along with my experience from the Yoga series have sent me on the path to image creation "from the dark" (dark background) as opposed to "from the light" (white canvas).
Last night I had a weird dream about a jaguar where I seemed to be in control, a good omen... so the timing seemed to be perfect to make a bold experiment...
This was the result after 45 minutes of work on a loose piece of canvas (20 X 24)... I want the face to emerge totally natural with vibrant colors while capitalizing on the imperfections from the background. I see an advantage in separating abstraction from figuration, i.e., dealing with them separately (the background was done first). It's sort of akin to not being able to walk and chew gum at the same time!
Note: It's strange that I dreamed about a jaguar. I have no allegiance to the animal except that I've been in Guatemala and Mexico and that I like the Spanish pronunciation of the word "jaguar". The animal is associated with power, agility and speed... and the realization of long term goals (dream interpretation).
Note to self: "I seem to get restless in-between series, in a quest for something new. I need to channel this restlessness into action... perhaps using the spirit of the jaguar in its solitary pursuits!"
... using both the painting knife and the brush at the same time with both hands being occupied (I'm getting sloppy!). I'm not too serious about this one... considering the exercise as merely a "painting vacation" while still painting! I'm saving highlights and reflections for last...
Painting water has this suiting effect on me... just thinking about color and movement but not much else... gee, like painting in an abstract fashion! This is a 30 X 30 canvas.
... to see how it would feel. My method remains more or less the same as I tend to work transparently at least at the initial stage. I may have pushed this one too far for curiosity's sake in the exploration of a new technique; step one was already compelling and quite artistic in my view (although a bit raw)... step two looks more like a conventional portrait. I now see potential in trying to go for a finish on the first pass flat after the elaboration of the background! Once I gravitate to a larger format, the painting knife will kick in and I will be after much more abstracted renditions. Looks like I may be able to survive this new series! The title for the above painting will be: "Who do you think you are?"... it's a go!
For the time being, the garden is filling my artistic needs! I've got two paintings to complete though...
This was the result after 45 minutes of work on a loose piece of canvas (20 X 24)... I want the face to emerge totally natural with vibrant colors while capitalizing on the imperfections from the background. I see an advantage in separating abstraction from figuration, i.e., dealing with them separately (the background was done first). It's sort of akin to not being able to walk and chew gum at the same time!
... but using flowers instead of paint! Although my mind should not make any difference, I'm starting to get itchy feet on the artistic painting side. Psychologically speaking, it seems to be a mixed bag of "wanting to verify if I'm still able to paint" and "simply wanting to paint again"!
... that I captured at a friend's place last year. As I took the picture, the sun flashed in the pool area creating unbelievable light effects. Although the girl was once featured in the Toronto Sun as a sunshine girl... I want to make water reflections the primary focus!
All in all, it was a good experience on textural effects and the use of highly saturated colors. Pure abstraction still escapes me... but if I keep confronting this demon... I'm bound to see the light at the end of the tunnel one of those days! Hopefully, it's not gonna be a train!
... things are looking up!
