So lately finishing a painting is not an experience I’m intimately acquainted with.
Which is why doing a class can be really helpful; cause you HAVE TO. Something in me clicks when Carla says ‘today you’re going to finish the painting you started the other day’. It just goes, ‘ok’.
Why that doesn’t happen when I say that to myself is a mystery.
Anyway, this week we’ve progressed from paper to wood panels! I don’t often use wood panels. I just seem to love canvas. But the rigidity of the wood is good for holding big globs of gesso and pressing hard.
I took these photos with my phone during the process, mainly because I’m joined at the hip with Instagram {if you’re on it too, come and say hi! @taraleaver}.
Part of Carla’s process is to keep going back in, adding and knocking back, which I think is partly the reason why my own paintings aren’t progressing in a healthy way lately. I have a touch of the old ‘I-don’t-know-what-to-do-and-I-might-ruin-it’ paralysis. Also I have no idea what I want to SAY, which is also handily sidestepped by doing a class.
Happens to the best of us. 😉
This one went through a painfully bright yellow phase and a disturbing ‘dirty’ looking phase, but using Carla’s adding/removing system and persevering because it ‘had’ to be finished took me through both with surprising ease and speed. {Note to self; DO THIS.}
After the addition of pencil and charcoal for definition and depth, we finished with some white acrylic ink.
I’m calling it Sea Flowers. I took the shape from an image I saw during week one, when we were sketching sea plants.
Here’s a nice little close up; the textures are a little bit to die for.
‘Sea Flowers’
25 x 25 x 2.5cm
mixed media on wood panel
Available to purchase here.
suh-weet!
i love the accountability of a class, don’t you? it lets me tap into those aggravating and ancient stories of my school days where Things Are Due and I Am Very Responsible so always get things done on time…;)
and Carla is just so quietly You Can Do This, and matter-of-fact that you just can’t help but get on with it..
xoxo
Accountability! That would be the word I was looking for! Exactly. And I totally agree about Carla’s quiet calm matter-of-factness.
I’d like to get past the point of needing to tap into my good girl to get stuff done though! SO much mess around that one….
Beautifully done Tara! Oh, there are so many things in life where we only listen to others and not ourselves. Thanks for the reminder why classes are so good for us! xx
oh Tara, these sea flowers are just SO much more beautiful here on your blog!! i finally caught up with your past posts and Oh. My. GOD. Your flowers are just amazing and these new artists you introduce us to – i don’t know where the hell you find them all, but i’ve loved every one so far. The textures in this painting are so yummy. GOR. GEOUS. 🙂 love ya, girl. xox
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoy coming here P. 🙂 xx