THE MAKING OF A PAINTING

 

I enjoy painting as a break from my photography and writing. It’s not to say that I am talented, but sometimes results surprise me. Even my painting instructor Allen Reamer once said looking at me, “Anyone can produce a good painting given enough time.” However, I often tell my art friends that I paint to remind myself that I can’t paint. The fact is painting more than other art forms takes you away from the realities of the world’s day to day. Part of that is the complexity of the craft, the multitude of material, color and technique choices. They all combined to absorb your thought and time. I love to buy “how to do it” books on painting that cover A to Z. Usually, there is a list of suggested paint pallets, brushes and canvases. I always find things I don’t have. Off to the art store I go. Truth is that if Picasso had as many different paints as I, he would still be alive and painting. You never have enough art supplies. You run into other artists at the art store who gladly support you on this. Standing before the canvas, all the examples of paintings, your own sketches and the things you have learned dance in your head. All only relieved when you make your first brush marks to cover the white. Sometimes I will look back on prints of my finished work, discovering here and there efforts that please. Only followed by the nagging thoughts of how did I do that. Worse, you remember that you gave the painting away in one of your studio cleanings. Perhaps the most beautiful thing about painting is that even if you try to copy another’s artist masterpiece, yours will look different. It’s the uniqueness of you coming out. Maybe finding that is all that really counts…