That's where I am - in transition - I've been riding this new wave of moving forward - this post is really just a continuation of my last post - everything that I found just 'okay' got yanked and reworked - some of it too reworked - I was on a tear for sure - but I knew/know I'm in a time of looking at my art practice with new eyes - change is coming and I'm finding my way through it - it's a small change really, sort of like when I change from cayenne pepper to cinnamon in my morning coffee - a flavor change - but it's voice is strong and I'm paying attention - I'm deep into working with this new eye and finding it very challenging - I guess the best way to explain it, is to give you an example - the piece below I finished last month - it was okay.......then it got yanked...
the photo below is the first rework - it was totally over worked and I basically killed it.....that's what happened to much of the rework - overworked......
this last photo shows where I left it yesterday - I like this - I feel it is much stronger then the first place I left it........
so I'm in transition - just like life - will let you know what I find along the way..........
30 comments:
It's a tough thing to attack a painting, kill it, revive it and then have a question linger.
However, you always make engaging and thoughtful work--no matter how far you go.
I do see restfulness in the last one. Excellent work!
Thank you for sharing your process.
I'm struck by something which I've not realised before, fully, that if I write a piece of music or writing and I take a look and decide it needs reworking, I can keep the first draft and take a second or third or fourth stab it it with that first one still somewhere in existence as a reference point, be it a recording or a sketch or a computer file. Yes, some writers choose to crumple their work up and aim for the waste paper basket. I'm not one of them. That doesn't mean I keep the first draft in front of me as I work on the second. Usually, it is tucked away somewhere as I take a fresh stab at what it is I was wanting to say.
Anyway, what strikes me, is your reworking doesn't allow any looking back, except maybe if you take shots. It is more akin to the improvising I do, where you respond to what is there right now and work with that. Even if you wanted to play that bit again, you couldn't.
I'm rambling a bit, I know. I remember you once talked about wanting your work to take you right to the edge. Bravo! I've never thought painting could be more like a performance, but maybe they are closer than we think?
I know how hard it is when you're in the middle of one of these "change cycles", but you are definitely getting somewhere! this piece has undergone an amazing transformation; I love it! Your wonderfully fearless attitude towards change makes me realize I'm just a wimp, but I'm glad to be able to watch your progress. Keep going, brave woman! :)
heya jeane, boy i sure do like the last version. strong, yes...
love, love...
can't remember if i asked you somehting similar, but... i'm wondering what materials you use. acrylics or oils? molding pastes, mediums? tools?
Monica
Hi Jeane,
Well, I thought the first one was pretty strong but I agree that the second rework is stronger than the first rework! Much warmer.
Hi Jeane, I can certainly relate to "transition". I am pondering what Annie said regarding when writing, you can keep the first draft, where as a painter-there is no going back. There is tremendous risk, but within that risk, or beyond the risk is something else entirely. I have been working on a painting, I do something to it everyday. It's at a very awkward stage (well, it has been all along) I'm taking time to view it at a distance and take my time trying to decide where the painting is to go next. The calligraphic art that I do is worked out on tracing paper. Quite a different approach than painting. I am encouraged by your "fearlessness" in reworking paintings!!
Hi Jeane, love the yellows, sorry to see them go under but then the last image is so strong....the other paintings are there but buried like the stories in our lives all building on who we are. Your paintings have character which has layers of development. Enjoy what you do every day!
Warmer .. for sure .. but for me its just as good .. I liked it a lot before ..
I do believe you are on fire! This re-work is great...when you return, you are stronger and more willing to go deeper and it shows...best of luck this week...hot, hot, hot!!
Jeane!
Brava to you for having the guts to play around with things, take a chance in your paintings, and make changes!
Not many can do that!
-Dean
good morning Melinda - you're right! painting is hard! I love it, but it's hard - pushing the edges always stirs up new kinds of energy - I know you get this xxo
all you say is so true Annie - I do have the photos, but trust me, it's not the same - theatre is much like this also - working for three months on a project totally immersed, performance and then poof! it's all gone except the memory of the experience - that's how it worked for me yesterday - I worked for over three hours trying to resolve a painting - it had gorgeous bits, but just wouldn't gel not matter what I did - finally I totally wiped out the whole thing and then BAM! there it was - just the essence and some strong marks and that was the work - so interesting xxo
thank you Sharmon - personally I love change and the struggles that ensue during that process - it makes us look at things in a different way and I think that is good - hard, but good :)
Hi Lynnie! xxo - I raise my glass to the creek people - amazing creatures x
bohemianshadows, I use mixed materials - ink, graphite, house paint, acrylic paint, pencil, oil pastels and oi paint :)
Derrick, thank you - I walk the line! :)
hello Chris, thank you - hmmmmm, I like your idea of 'viewing at a distance' - I have several in process like that - eventually though, they will get yanked and worked in one session - it's just my way - it's like a battle and I lose alot! ha! that's why winning is such a sweet feeling :)
I do enjoy what I do each day for sure Maggie - I'm so lucky to be able to amble out to my little shed and smear paint about! I never take it for granted - I've worked too hard all my life not to know how lucky I am xxo
hello Daryl xxo - thank you :)
good morning Mary Ann - HOT! FOR SURE! in the 90's here for the past few days - I'm pretty melted by the time I leave my studio - little fan helps, but I'm sweaty and smeared with paint - looks like war paint! xxo
hello Dean and thank you - risk is life - pushing to get to the best can be like a computer crash and losing everything you've saved and worked on forever, but very freeing also :)
my painting professor in college used to take works back from clients and finish them! Needless to say they were reluctant to let him visit his work, just in case he decided it needed more work. I always think about him when I visit here, because he always used to lament about how do I know when its done? I like the befores as well as the afters so I am a poor judge...
Jeane,
part of the skill as an artist is knowing when to stop.
I think you like change alot!
"Use and respond to the initial fresh qualities but consider them absolutely expendable"
One of the notes that Richard Diebenkorn wrote to himself
I think we are always in transition. I used to say, "I loved it, when we "knew" what we were doing, .....for five minutes." Yes, it is wonderful feeling of power and strength, like all the hard work is paying off. Then just as quickly we grow, move on, and again we have no idea. We are as Sam Scott says, "properly lost," once again. And probably that is where we really belong. And as artists we have to become comfortable with that lost feeling. We are always trying to find our way. As soon as we set up a new problem, lost again....Thank you for the post.
Another thought: Our work, the thing that you see, that hang on the wall, is but the byproduct of the performance. I think it is all about where we want to stop. And I find your work beautiful (although maybe not what you want) at every stopping place. I think you are doing it just right. Each time we get a little clue.
One more thought: It is your willingness to try, that is important, and will inspire others. What you do is very important, the world needs you!
hello Deb, enjoyed your story of your college professor - I have an amazing artist friend like that - fresh ideas and fresh eyes on old work, thanks for sharing :)
good morning Denise - well, alas, I'm pathetic at that skill - I'm always in progress - finished today, but brand new tomorrow - sigh - :)
Caroline, what a wonderful quote from the Diebenkorn! he was one of my first art influcences - we are all expendable....... but we must keep putting in the effort :)
Annell, I so enjoyed each of your comments and to be honest, they illustrate the exact thing you speak about and the whole idea of 'things in progress'- one full idea, and then, "oh, wait", another idea on top of that and then "and also", just like we live and work - I especially loved the quote from Sam Scott - "properly lost" - thank you for your thoughtful insight :)
I like your flavor change! A sip of this, a sip of that..a real original, that's you!!
Oh my, that's stunning. I love the progression of your work and am excited to see the new developments. The depth you've got-wow. Rock on, Jeane!
good morning Lyn - I love the idea of a sip of this and a sip of that! thank you xxo
hello Shayla and thank you - I am out of the studio for the next week because we have company, but will be anxious to get back to work for sure xxo
What a style!!!
It's like a gunshot.
Your work is powerfull, very impressive.
you have found your own personal style, that's sure.
I like it very much.
Congratulations
d_ceres
lovely post, deeply thoughtful about your process which is what I love to read.
This line jumped out at me " I'm deep into working with this new eye and finding it very challenging"
Love the "finished" piece.
good morning d_ceres and thank you so much - I'm glad you stopped by :)
hello Zendot - yes, 'deep into working', that's what I love about painting - it allows me to disappear for a few hours everyday exploring new worlds :)
I just discovered you, referred from a link on Melinda Esparza's blog.
Your work is truly stunning. I so much look forward to seeing more!!
All three are beautiful...but the one in the middle keeps grabbing my attention.
I re-work my paintings all the time...I usually go through 3-5 versions until I'm happy. Sometimes it's frustrating but always worth it!
Love this work. Warmly, Karen
Abby Creek and Karen, thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your appreciated comments :)
Just found your site. It shows guts to share your fight with the painting!
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