16x20" oil on canvas NFS
I haven't posted in a week and nothing is near ready so I thought I dig into the past and see what was there. This is about six years old. Not finished. I got discouraged. Why I don't know. It's funny. When I see work that I remember feeling awful about I'm left wondering what was so awful. Must have been an attack of the dreads.
This past weekend I freshened up a bee that sold and I remember, when I originally worked on it, feeling very discouraged. I barely finished it. But when I spruced it up, added a little definition here, a hint of a highlight there, I was quite satisfied.
Distance. That's the ticket. I used to throw half finished work away in disgust. My mother-in-law once picked a still life I'd done out of the garbage, had it framed and hung it in her living room for years. I'm so silly. All ego and all silly. Now? Now I'm putting the dread paintings away for a sunnier day. Nothin' like a fresh perspective.
Who knows? Maybe I'll rescue this and finish it. Ive been using it to plug up a hole the boys made near the bottom of the screen door until we actually make it down to Home Depot to replace it— which could very well be this weekend.
Enjoy the evening and thanks so much for stopping by.
Suzanne, I should call you Mary Cassat. She once put a failed commission painting into her closet. It now hangs in Metropolitan Museum. You work is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous piece this is, Suzanne!!! Beautiful details..Flawless painting!!!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me laugh how everything is relative. What you consider your worst work I would probably hold as my masterpiece, and what I consider my best, you would... let's not even go there. lol
ReplyDeleteWe think this paiting is awsome. Your right- just step back and look at it differently. Maybe it was no t exactly as you wanted it to be- but it is perfect through our eyes. We like looking at this painting- it has feeling.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh- you were using it to plug a hole the boys dug!
love
tweedles
Suzanne, you should have a look at Mary Pratt's work. She's a Newfoundland artist who has done beautiful interior paintings of every day life. This reminds me of her work. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Pratt
ReplyDeleteI think distance does work because I know I've done the same thing. Heck, I've got a shelf full of rejects waiting for their moment in the limelight. I have revitalized a number of them this year and I know the time will be right for this one too when you'll add just the touch that will make it match the vision in your head.
It is really good Suzanne! You must see it after 6 years! The sunlight coming in from the window off the canvas at the top, the way you have conveyed different materials (wood, fabric, glass, pottery, eggs), how clean the edge of your sink is... it's all very impressive! ;o) I'll send you one of my true disasters to plug the hole up... this one needs to be sold!
ReplyDeleteMWAHAHAHAHA!!! You are doing WHAT with this painting??? Do the boys appreciate their artistic hole-plugger?!
ReplyDeleteYou ARE silly... and FUNNY! Thanks for the smile.
ReplyDeleteI think this piece is definitely worth rescuing from the boys.
-Don
I agree with Robie. I'd actually be able to feel comfortable calling myself an artist if I could produce something like this. It's superb. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis painting is very beautiful, i liked the warm colours, cozy:)
ReplyDeleteDanged dogs, eh? LOL I think this is fabulous, Suz. I love the dish towel, that sense of Saturday morning time to make a decent breakfast at home vibe. I think it is wonderful!
ReplyDelete??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete...or in other words.... What on earth are you talking about??? Why can't you see what we see? Are we all just blind to our own art? I think this is absolutely marvelous! I really like the unusual composition - it makes it all the more interesting. I can't even tell that it's unfinished! Please, please, please do the right thing with this. Do what you have to do to make your self happy and then put it up for sale. It belongs in a frame and on a wall :0D
ReplyDeleteYou ARE silly! This is wonderful! What a sense of light!! And I love the composition. But I hear ya... And yes, distance is often the key. Beautiful painting and I'd say rescue it from it's current use as a hole-plugger!!
ReplyDeletesilly silly... I love silly. but NOT like this... This is a little gem of a painting, with it's interesting shapes, values and colors. I am imagining it as my kitchen counter. Love your comment on perspective. It seems to be true in relating to all of life's struggles..... you rock, girlie !
ReplyDeleteYour work is wonderful! I am so glad to have found your blog. I loved also your story about just liking to paint and not doing the gallery/contest thing. That is awesome and just how i feel about things. Many blessings to you.
ReplyDeletethought it was a photo from your thumbnail suzanne ! ..it's good to look at old paintings afresh ... i love viewpoint .
ReplyDeleteYou are way to hard on yourself!!! Get that puppy off the screen door, it is AMAZING!! Hope you are dread free and enjoying the Holiday Season!
ReplyDeleteYou're so silly, Suzanne! This is an amazing piece of work! If at ANY TIME you just feel that you can't stand having a painting you don't like, just remember you know my address. I'll keep them for you until you want to work on them again ...... just saying. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi there Suz!... Dreads are in the head... and often appear when we bite off a bit more than we can chew... using our usual expectations and timeline for finishing.
ReplyDeleteWe are strange creatures... who like to work independent of all outside influences... and we absolutely must always be pushing the envelope on our own skill set.
Your overhead view and downward foreshortening is beautful drawn... your values and colour are their usual Berry best. I can see the need for a rest... before the finishing flourishes that always hightlight... and add "sparkle" to your wonderful composition! I'd trade you... even for one of my paintings in a heart beat... as it stands!
Dread no longer good Friend! All the ingredients are there for either a yummy breakfast... or another stellar painting! All that you need do is..."Get crackin!"
Good painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Love this Suzanne especially the dish towel. I can't imagine what it is not to like.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look unfinished to me, I think you are your own worst critic! I love it, great composition and subject matter. (any paintings you don't want you can send to me, I'll send you my address ;D !!)
ReplyDeleteDo finish it, Suzanne--it's so close to complete and so beautiful. You're right--time and distance. We never can quite do what we intend, and often that blinds us to what we did accomplish. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great composition. There as so many really gorgeous areas here. I thought it WAS finished.
ReplyDeleteI had a physical shudder when I read you threw 1/2 done works away! You are such a talent!
Are you kidding????? So, what day does your garbage go out? I want to have first choice!
ReplyDeleteOh My Gosh! To paint one of your duds! Just beautiful Suzanne! Now take everyone's advise and get this on the market!
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