it's Taking Longer Than I Thought

I did work in the studio for a couple of days, but today I feel as if my body was used as a punching bag. I had hoped that after a week of resting, reading, and thinking, I would have had my energy back.

One of the thoughts I had during that quiet time was, "Why do I continue making art?" I have loads of paintings in the stacks that I haven't looked at in some time. Do I need to make more? Until I was hit with shingles, I was of the same opinion as Frank Auerback, a well known painter in Germany. who is a few years older than I.  He said, "It seems to me madness to wake up in the morning and do something other than paint, considering that one may not wake up the following morning." 

I hope  to feel that way again.

From the Series, "Other Realities" Oil and collage, 1999

more "Other Realities" 1999. this painting was on load to a friend. She chose to give it away.

Figurative and Abstract paintings sold

With Arms Wide Open, 24" x 24"

I am pleased that I have had classical art training so that I can move between painting figuratively and abstract. I love doing both, but I stay with one or the other until I have a whole series made.

Saatchi Online Gallery informed me this morning that my painting Quiet Time was just sold and will be picked up Wednesday to be shipped to the client. I hope I will be informed in what country the buyer lives.

With Arms Wide Open was sold a while back.

Quiet time, 24" x 24"

More process images

I am making oil portrait sketches trying to get very loose. I have a tendency to get too concentrated on the details and lose spontaneity. Since I am between series and have a couple of hours a week with a beautiful model, I will continue to work on this exercise until I can get the results I want.

I find photographing the process tells me a lot. When I look at the photos, I can see what needs fixing and usually, I have taken the work too far. Too much smoothing and working to get a likeness.

This model has such gorgeous eyes that in this exercise, I decided to block them out. I love painting eyes - who doesn't? but I find they can become the focus of the painting.

I am going to stop on this one today and look at it again tomorrow. I don't like it. I will start another one.