I have one of my regular followers of this blog to thank for "kick starting" this post. She was curious and asked how I managed to part with, or sell works such as "The Dimming of the Day" since they seemed to have such a strong personal meaning for "Me."
I will honestly admit from the outset, that "I" tend to hold on to objects and feelings that are important to "Me" far too long and that "I" experience great difficulty "letting go" of these things. I carry them about both... with and within "Me" past practicality and reason. With my paintings however... things are a bit different in this regard.
Painting for "Me" is a passionate pursuit and coming up with ideas to sustain my interest and my productivity has never been a problem. Once I have produced a painting... and have seen it in a frame, I no longer feel any affinity for.... or compulsion to keep it around... no matter the content or personal statement. As a matter of fact... having them lay about makes me want to change them... even to eliminate some or all of the original ideas expressed.
I have long believed that my passion to paint had to be sustained and financially supported by the sale of what I paint. Sales permit me to continue... and to not be resentful of the money and time that I spend to travel... work and paint. That has how I have always viewed how my painting life should be conducted.
"Letting go" ... of an underlying original idea, concept or motive is more difficult for "Me" than selling the piece. I have even been able to overcome that barrier to a large degree since owning and operating our own gallery. Seeing them framed... and on the wall for longer periods of time has offered me the unique opportunity to "live with" pieces longer... even in different light. This new situation has caused me to take courage to... in some cases drastically... rework... or revise what I had considered a strong and finished work.
I felt after looking at these for prolonged periods of time and with ample time to reflect that there were two and very conflicting centres of interest. I spent time carefully reworking areas carefully to remove the "offending" less important focus over the past two weeks. Looking back at the experience, I got carried away with implementing too many ideas simultaneously. It is best... as I have learned through this freeing experience to say what you really mean to say... and say what you need say. Let go of the extraneous... support the obvious!
I am posting "before-and after" jpegs to illustrate just how I attempted to risk adding Re:... into a previous vision. The top one in each case is the original image... the second is the corrected and revised edition. I'll let "You" be the judge of how successful my actions might have been. I'm curious! Look forward to hearing your ideas!
Thank "You"... to Caroline in Scotland for the "nudge to post this idea!
Good Painting to ALL!
Hi Bruce,
ReplyDeleteAnother lesson learned. I love the re-work painting more than the first. That says a lot, because had I just seen the first, they would have seemed perfect. Being that my paintings are with me for longer periods of time, I also will look to see what needs to be re-worked.
Once again I thank you for furthering my insight into the painting process.
Please, please write a book, you talented man you.
All the best to you.
Joan
Wish I could rework like that! Definitely love the reworked pieces...the definition of depth and wonder in each piece.
ReplyDeleteI am currently 'painting over' canvases. Although I do not like 'paint overs' I have so many I am unhappy with.
Thanks again for sharing your painting journey.
Regards
Hi again Joan!.... Thank "You"... ever so much for you positive vote of confidence on this Re-visioning undertaking!
ReplyDeleteOne can never predict the actual outcome for certain... or whether removing one will disturb the other impression in a negative way. The reality is that I found two "living together"... sharing the same space distracting... even disturbing after viewing them.
If you look to the right side bar on my blog... you will see that I have indeed self- published a book relating to my work and ideas entitled "Two Voices-The Paintings and Poetry of A.W. Bruce Sherman". It is available in both soft and hard covered versions... and has been very well received to date.
It can be purchased from the Blurb Bookstore on line... or through my web site if you wished. You can see an online preview as well... to give you a peek!
Thank "You" for your continued support and Friendship Joan! Both mean a great deal to "Me"!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
great paint overs, Bruce. Good choices.
ReplyDeleteHi there Ruby!... Good to hear from "You" again!
ReplyDeleteThank "You" for your positive encouragement and compliments... much appreciated! No one enjoys "paint overs" ... or "wipeouts". Both, however... offer "learning opportunities" which can help one grow in confidence and in artistic development... Two good reasons to give it a try!
Good Luck with your own "paint overs"... Re-visioning Ruby!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Gidday there Gary!... Good to hear from "You" out in God's Country!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your vote of confidence on these reworked images! I value and admire your good eye and painting skills greatly!
Love that new creek piece you are working on at the moment - it's goin' to be a beauty!I especially loved seeing the transition from the acrylic underpainting to the oil application! Great strategy there!
Good Painting!
Warmest Eastern regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, what a nice surprise to hear more on letting go of the paintings we create. Thank you for the mention! I must say I really like the reworked paintings they really do look beautiful. I do love owls but it is amazing to see that once you removed the owl I am looking into your snow landscape to see if perhaps there is one hiding out there! I am still wondering why it is I find it hard to let go of my paintings in the last year, I didn't have this problem before. I think I am producing less work now yet I will work on an oil usually two are on the go at once for about three months. I do work slowly! but I have recently started drawing trees and simply love the study of trees. I am still wondering if I should take on painting 100 trees in a personal challenge just to see how much I would have learnt at the end of it all. Your trees are really wonderful. I love drawing and I can see a lot of detail in your paintings that show a knowledge of trees. Have you taken on a personal drawing or painting challenge and how do you go about really learning and gaining knowledge creatively?
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline!... What another wonderful treat to find yet another interesting and thought-provoking comment from "You"!
ReplyDeleteWhat we are engaged in doing... at this very moment is in itself the most productive and personally rewarding ways to grow and develop as artists... and as people.
Sharing ideas... fielding questions... and yesd even positive criticism are the building blocks to creative growth and development. We all work essentially on our own... in studios or in the field. I believe... that too often we expect too much... or conversely... not enough of ourselves. It is at that time when one is willing to risk receiving input and is open to creative discussion... that "moving on"... and "letting go" can take place.
"You" are very perceptive in your statement about my love of trees. "I am not alone in my profound love for trees:
"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovelier than a tree."
Joyce Kilmer
One can learn a lot about line...light...form colour and about living in harmony with others in your environment. I have spent considerable time learning as much as I can about indigenous species in Canadian forests and woodlands. It has paid great dividends for "Me" Caroline.
I would very much encourage "You" to spend some time thinking about that challenge you mentioned for your Self. I will pass on yet another posting mention... for a post on trees.... upcoming! Thank "You"!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, thank you for your response. What you say is very true. I believe I understand atmospheric weather conditions because I have painted hundereds of paintings depicting this. I just wonder that the magic of trees and the forests that many of them live in would be a wonderful artistic journey to take. I will give it some more careful thought. I look forward to your words on trees when you feel it is the right time to bring the subject here on your blog. Until then Bruce Happy painting!
ReplyDeleteBruce, I'm very fond of the woman in pink painting! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi again Caroline!.... Thanks for your further comments!
ReplyDelete"We are what we eat"... just as our best paintings are the ones where we have developed our observations and honed our skills in a preferred genre to a much higher level than others.
It really is enriching to spend an appreciable amount of time and effort to focus on some other aspect of our art.
I do hope that you pursue the tree idea... I really believe that it will further enrich your toolbox of skills... your powers of observation and your enthusiasm greatly!
I'll be watching! I will also work up that post... just to get your juices running!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi there Linny!... Thanks for your vote of confidence for the "Lady in Pink"! I really did enjoy the painting with "Her"... front and centre.
ReplyDeleteHowever... after a time "She" bothered me every time that I looked at the painting. One too many subjects... or perhaps leaning a bit too heavily on a "Wyeth(y)" resemblance to "Christina's World".
Either way... "She" served her purpose... and now lies beneath the grass and I like the painting better!
Good Painting!
Warmest reegards,
Bruce