So, in my efforts to create some Advent paintings for this year, I had several false starts, and one of them became an unexpected painting on its own, not part of the series. This post is about the evolution of this happy accident.
The Origins of My Unexpected Painting
I thought I’d play with a restricted and minimal color scheme. The original Advent goal of this painting was to satisfy the title, “The Light of Peace.” You will see that this intention played out much differently.
I had just adopted a new technique of burning my basswood canvases with a torch! I especially like how the woodgrain appears in the burning in the top right of the painting. This part of the work I preserved throughout its evolution. Here’s a photo of the first pass I took with this experimental work.
First Pass
This is the beginning of my exploration, and employed scratching into the wet paint as well. But I couldn’t keep to the restrictive palette, as you will see. Here’s a photo with some more thoughts.
Second Pass
This wasn’t satisfying to me and I was getting restless at this point. So I added even more color!
Third Pass
This felt like an improvement, but still not what I was looking for. I was frustrated at this point and decided to radically change things up. Fortunately, wood is excellent for being versatile. So, next, I sanded away most of the work and started carving and drawing with pastels and graphite to go an entirely different direction.
Final Piece: Untitled 1
And this became Untitled 1. It doesn’t fit the “Light of Peace” title, but is its own interesting work. It is so unique that each person sees different interpretations of it, and therefore a title would be an obstruction to the viewer. The drawing and carving on the obliterated remains were delicious. It’s decidedly not peaceful, but full of a curious motion.
I hope you enjoyed the evolution of this piece that was born of a thought and expression direction detour.
Conclusion: Visit the Flash Show
In other news, this month, September 22-23, 2024, I will have a “Flash Show” entitled CARVING PATHS: ANTICIPATION TO GRATITUDE. The show times are 5-8 pm on Friday the 22nd and 3-8 pm on Saturday the 23rd at Surel’s Place, located at 212 E 33rd St, Garden City, ID 83714. This is concurrent with the “Flipside Festival” music event, so you can experience musical as well as visual art!
My work at Surel’s Place will also be up for the October First Friday Show on October 6, 2024 from 5:30-8:30 pm.
Come get the double dose of local artistry, music and visual art, at Surel’s Place, on September 22 or 23 – or if you decide to visit Surel’s Place for the October First Friday, you can make your visit part of the art tour along with visiting other artists in the Garden City Live Work Create District!
Surel’s Place is truly a community treasure and a wonderful art hub! It’s quite an honor to offer my affordable framed prints and original art cards to sell in the heart of such a bulls-eye of creativity!
I hope to see you there! Click here to see the Facebook event.