Rethinking... to Re-Visioning to Revision

Early this is morning during my coffee ritual,  I pondered some possible ideas upon which to base my day... and the completion of Challenge Day Ten. My thoughts kept returning to the "How" and the "Why" certain ideas manifest themselves to me... and then usually command my full attention and most often lead me to my painting them. At first thought, I really can't give a completely definitive answer to the "Why" part of the equation. However, the "How" part of the arrival of such "ideas" can usually be linked to recent visual experiences which for some reason or other, seems to link up with some spiritual or philosophical event or thought which coincides with the other. This final, and more esoteric factor perhaps, is simply... the "clincher." When that relationship is established... the painting or creative spirit is aroused sufficiently to put the process into motion and to sustain it... until the two are reconciled in a finished painting. My selection of a painting subject is very rarely for the sake of recreating a "pretty" representation of the subject by itself.

I truly believe that within each subject possibility that I undertake... there lies multiple possible outcomes. or directions that I might take during the course of the painting process. At any juncture... there is an opportunity... or jumping off point where the direction first anticipated cannot abruptly veer off in a new and entirely different direction. It happens usually, because I momentarily "see" a portal, or opening which invites me to travel off... unafraid... and even more sure and excited about the earlier game plan. I always pursue this urge... and rarely do I regret my choice to risk and move ahead... guided more by anticipation than by certainty regarding the new adventure. Adventure is an appropriate word to best describe the process. When one is adventuring... there are acutely higher levels of imaginative thought and satisfaction. These mood   enhancing elements are the very well-spring of true Creativity at its highest level. These are the vehicles which transports one's mind...  spirit and body... to that Nirvana or Zen place where worry and time do not exist... or matter.

So this morning, I was reviewing comments regarding previous challenge paintings and one jumped out at me ... bringing me to "Rethink" my original intention when I created the piece. That painting was so wee... in comparison and was born merely out of the fact that "life got in the way that day"... and rather than fold and not follow through... I painted this wee landscape from a digital reference on an 8x10 inch panel... quartered and each quarter isolated by painter's tape. The comment from Friend Sherry spurred on new thought ... and  challenge me to... "Re-Vision."  That is, it suggested that perhaps I change direction... and not follow my intended path... or fulfill Sherry's expectation that I create a collage or small mini series within one panel. I took this direction instead. Here is the result of that "Re-Visioning process... step-by-step.See what you think.

Remember me...Peewee Painting... "Bridging Winter, Ivy Lea" - oil on a panel 4x5 inches
One quarter of the panel's overall area.

"Re-Thinking" the original format and (virtually) extending it to become a full 8x10 inch format... while maintaining the same original thought... yet expressed in a new and expanded upon way.

"Re-Visioning" by adding new elements to create a more dramatic and powerful image.

"Summer Picnic-ing... On Hold!" - oil on panel 8x10 inches

The Challenge for today has been fully and successfully met. I like the outcome and think that it shows greater thought and now looks more "painterly' and fluid than the smaller version. Whether you agree or not about the actual difference in quality of the two... the fact remains that the original concept was not lost... but gave rise to an extension  of thought and the overall impact of the painting. Taking risks... stepping back and rethinking are all a part of good painting habits. As Allison so kindly encouraged me ... so many years ago, when discouragement almost led me away from the joy of my journey:

"Be Bold!"... Thanks Dr Jemima!  It still works for me after all the years!
Stay tuned!....

Good Painting to All!!!