I finished the Shirley Trevena-inspired painting using a set-up from her book. Now, this doesn't look anything like a Shirley Trevena painting, but maybe I need to paint for another 10 years or so...
Maybe I need to settle in and think about how I want to paint - what techniques I like, what things really get my juices flowing when seeing really good watercolors (if you haven't lately, go over to David Lobenberg's blog and see the portraits he's been doing - totally kicking it up 10 notches and doing something I haven't seen in watercolor portraits before!).
Here's just a little wonky bowl of pears (also from a small bit of a set-up from the Trevena book. I may actually do the demo she does with tulips and pears and see if I get anywhere interesting with it.
Since these are just studies and practice things, I am painting on the back of really bad paintings, tearing the 1/2 sheets in two and using them.
As usual, at the first of the year, I went through my paintings and tore up a lot of really bad paintings. Now, I know you all are going to say, "NO! You should save them for cards, notes, bookmarks, ACEOS" but honestly, these are SO bad, they aren't even worth saving. But I did take a look at a lot of 1/2 sheets and think, use the backs for practice - don't waste so much good paper. So that's what I did. But I would bet $1,000 that I will never paint a really good painting on the back of a bad painting - there seems to be some bad mojo that comes through the bad side and affects the newer painting (or maybe it's just in my head?).
Have a good week. Stay safe, warm and happy!
11 comments:
I love the Trevena-inspired painting--it's so interesting and intriguing ... and has so many lovely passages, like the little white vase, which is brilliant!
Love the pears! You may want to decide on a short series (think crows and caw-gals) to help define your ideas??? I agree about the "mojo" - some paintings SHOULD be burned! Use the backs for practice pads next to your paintings for trying out colors and blends, not a "real" painting! (Unless you have morphed into Andrew Wyeth overnight!)
I think Shirley Trevena has a solid philosophy when it comes to watercolor. Personally I have always gotten better by letting some things just happen and not following some of the old rules. Look at what works here and take that to the next painting. I know the feeling of wanting a certain result, but this is a successful piece on it's own without comparing it to a Trevena.
I really like the composition of the 1st painting. Nice job on both.
I just simply wish I had your drive and devotion. Well...I guess I do have the devotion, just not the drive. You don't know how much I admire you, Rhonda.
Thank you, Laura.
Deb, I almost told someone on a blog post yesterday to stop painting like others and paint what moves them - then I thought, "Why don't you take your own advice??"
Kevin, Shirley uses whatever - so her work is never pure watercolor but has a little of this, a little of that; anything to get the job done - which is what we all should be doing, I think. Purists often get too wrapped up in what not to use. And you're right about comparing - something we humans are wired to do to make sense of our surroundings but it can be so annoying!!
Thanks, Tim, I love your latest post - so many beautiful and creative flapper girls!
Sherry, I think at times I'm obsessed; other times, I'm just bored; and often I fall short of some goal I seem to have that compares me to others and finds myself wanting - such a hard life, being an artist! ha ha
I too really like the pears. They look like they would be nice perfectly ripe juicy pears.
I really like those pear Rhonda, seems the water and color went down just right. Nothing wrong with destroying work, it's good for ya, like eatin' yer greens! I've used both sides of the paper countless times and have a collection that have good paintings on both sides. how dumb is that? Had a show with Shirley last summer but have never met her. I think she's great!
Thanks, Tina :)
Nick, I agree - just destroy that bad stuff and start anew :) Yeah, Shirley is something else - definitely an original.
I think these are great! I recognized the first one as a shirley trevina immediately. I have that book too and should give her style a try.
Thanks, Carol. I love her bold color but don't have her sense of style that abstracts so many of her still lifes - it's fun to try, though.
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