“You can plan the plan , not the outcome.”
So as of last week, we have trekked through various stages- arriving at what is one of the most critical moments in the process for me: Is this thing a GO?
This is the part where I pause and evaluate. I am an enthusiastic person. I have a lot of energy and a lot of “let’s do this thing” in me. While it is a huge asset it can be perilous. Perilous because it can prevent me from seeing what’s real, being analytical and using my discernment. This has been a pretty strenuous lesson for me to learn. It is one of those that I had to learn the hard way. Ideally it is a lesson you only need to be taught once. Ideally. And wow, I have been given this lesson more than once by the Universe. And I am grateful.
So what do I do during this pause? How long is it? Why do I say discernment and not judgement? This is a time for looking to make sure that I have the composition how I want it. And it can take twenty minutes or it can take a few days. I also observe the overall feasibility of the piece, as I envision it. I am all in for a good challenge and I have learned that sometimes a painting as I envision it is too much car for me. I could paint it the way it wants to be painted and it would take every ounce of me and an extraordinary amount of time without guarantee that the optimal result could be achieved. I use my discernment to determine this. Judgement comes from ego and is a sneaky little bastard. And it LIES. When judgement pops up, I pat it on the head and send it on its way to go play with its’ friend fear. Buh Bye.
So I evaluate the technical foundational bits, I examine the feasibility of the piece for where my abilities are (My eyes are ALWAYS bigger than my stomach), and strive to see all these things clearly. Once I have done that, I check in with myself- do I like this foundation I have laid? Do I have passion for it? Does it bring me joy? Does it communicate what I intend it to? If yes, onward I go. If not I fix what needs fixing. And if I discover it doesn’t wind my watch I may scrap it or retool it until it whispers in my ear.
I may spend a few days making color strings and trying different combinations until it looks and feels right. This may change once we are in the actual painting.
Now the fun begins. I love color studies. I make super fast and loose color studies. I do try to get the colors as accurate to my desired result as possible.
My real goal is to set the energetic mood of the piece in the color study. I want it to be fresh, clear and have a resonating vibration that is unmistakable.
With my color study done, I now have a road map for the actual painting and can begin the block in. With my color study and notes on color mixes I am ready to get to work on building the painting. Sometimes I get lost in a painting. Usually it is that over abundance of enthusiasm of mine. Again I pause and refer to my color study. What does it have that the painting is missing? Where is there a lack of balance in the painting? The color study turns into a Magic 8 ball that I can consult and find the answers.
Once I feel like I am finished with the piece, I send it to the spa for a few days so we can both unwind, relax and return to each other refreshed. Then I make my final edits and adjustments. And then I rest until the next dance with the next painting.
Rhymes with Nothing 24”x36” oil on canvas. Winner, 2nd Place, Spitting Image Portrait Competition, Gage Academy Seattle, February 2019