This is a figurative I did from life that is a bit looser than my recent portraits. My biggest challenge right now is to try and make my paintings looser, or more “painterly”. You would think that if I’m aware I want to do that, I could do it. Perhaps I just need to break some old habits. I can picture a painting in my mind, but the challenge is always to get the paint to cooperate.
Speaking of picturing paintings in my mind, I’ve been thinking lately about how much painting is like music. I’ll hear a song and the whole song will be based on a somewhat random or insignificant idea. A song about someone leaving someone, for example. The job of the musician is to take this seeminly insignificant idea and turn it into something beautiful. The same is true in painting when an artist chooses a lamp post or a warehouse as subject matter.
Now, to turn this simple thing into something beautiful, notes must be added. In music these notes are created using varying sounds whereas with painting you have to use paint. duh. When I listen to music I can see the notes like dancing brushstrokes of paint, the high ones catching the light. Same with painting, I don’t want all my brushstrokes to sit quietly side by side, I want them to get up and dance and catch that light. That is what being more painterly means to me and that’s what I’m going to strive for.
Does this sound crazy? It’s like when I used to hear an artist say “the painting told me what to do next, the painting told me what it needed”. I used to think “uh, okay, whatever you say”. Then when I started to get away from painting exactly what was in front of me, I could look at my canvas and see if the painting needed more darks here or more definition there. Then I got it. My paintings were finally speaking to me, I had just never listened before.
Joan,
I happened upon your blog via a comment you left on Janelle’s blog. I particularly like this painting and your blog writing of today. I often say that my pastel paintings practically paint themselves….that is how it is with me and the medium of pastel. I love to paint in watercolour, but struggle a lot more with that, although it is a medium where you have to let it make it’s own journey and just help it along the way.
I truly understand what you are saying, and think that when we are ready, then the real ‘seeing’ begins. Art (for me at least) is about enjoyment and fun and the pure love of creating. Only when we let go and have no more fear……….then wonderful things happen.
Joan, YES! I know exactly what you mean by the painting speaking to you. It takes an artist to know. I just love the way you put it all into words.
OOPS. I forgot to tell you how much I love the portrait. Very painterly and fresh.
Hi Maggie, Thank you for your comment and welcome, I’m glad you stopped by. I’m working on letting go and having no fear with my paintings, which sounds so easy . . .
Joan
Hi Janelle, Thank you for your comments and your compliments! I’m glad you like the portrait, hopefully there will more like this to come soon.
Joan
I think this painterly handling is beautiful and poignant.
When I think of a painting speaking to us, I think of how we have to get over that initial fear of starting and not knowing exactly where we’ll end up (how could we or the work would be so boring). But it is difficult to trust that the painting will speak. I guess in the end the act of starting is like a statement of faith that it will.
Karen, thank you for your insightful comments, they are an inspiration to me. I think you’re right, just starting a painting takes faith. I needed to hear those words because I’m about to start on a portrait!
Joan
Your post has been so inspirational and I hope you will find this year full of music and conversation!
The portrait you’ve posted is singing and you’re on your way to expressive voicing. I hear you and wish you all the best in this new year.
Hi Melinda,
WOW, what a nice comment you left me. You made my night! Thank you and all the best to you too!
Joan
Hi Joan,
I really love this painting! You have created a specific mood and feeling that moves us, just like music. This post is so exciting to read as well, I love how you’ve shared ideas about relating music and painting, and how our paintings speak to us!
Thanks for sharing
Hi Joan,
I’m enjoying checking out your art on your blog. I love this piece especially. And I like what you said about your paintings speaking, but that you’ve only just learned to listen. 🙂