Learning to See What I'd Overlooked

Hello You!

Do you ever take a look at one of your past paintings and think, “this isn’t quite finished”? I do. Of course, there are many paintings that I look at and don't think this at all. They hold up over time. The colors are just right, and the marks, lines and shapes lead my eye around the canvas and capture my imagination.

Sometimes though, I've moved too quickly through the process and thought I'd arrived at a finished painting, only to look at it later and see that it isn't quite working. I think (truth be told) I can be too eager to finish. I want the sense of accomplishment and recognition a finished painting receives.

Becoming aware of this desire in me didn’t happen overnight, and I was quite happy receiving compliments. But I’m at a stage in my art-making where I want more. I want more connection, more honesty, more voice. I want to see more of who I am and who I’m becoming in my paintings.

For now, I’m encouraged to work at a slower pace, allowing myself more time to reflect and consider my paintings before I release them.

Here's an example of a painting I thought was fine and finished;

I can see contrasting values, a decent composition, a variety of marks and a pleasing range of colors.

With gentle consideration, I can also see too much contrast in too many places, a busy composition, a lack of a variety in the values, and little to no harmonization of the colors.

I'll tell you, that is not easy to see, hear or feel!

I want to honor my desire for more connection and honesty, so I listened to my inner mentor as she lovingly showed me where these things were happening. Then I mixed some new colors and set myself, and the painting, free.

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Here is the current version:

It began with a full turn of the canvas. I like to do this to release my connection to what’s already happening on the canvas. It’s easier when I can't really see it.

The colors changed, although I kept some of the lovely blue and burnt sienna in the center. My marks have more variety, there is less "scattered" contrast, and my colors have become more harmonized.

Now, I'm letting it rest for a while. I'm still working to incorporate my newest internal reflections; slowing down and not chasing the wind of approval. I'm looking forward to creating a deeper relationship with myself through my art.

In gratitude,

~ Susie