I have quite a few of them! I have been painting less than five years. As a beginner, I have lots of terrible paintings, but I have never thrown one away. Every so often I go through the pile just to show myself that I really have improved! My stack of panels is getting pretty big and I am running out of storage space. I usually use either Pintura panels or RayMar panels, so throwing them away is a bit difficult as I think about how much I have invested in them. This painting did not come from that pile, and it is one I just finished. I must admit part of it was painted twice though!
My artist sister, Adele Earnshaw, calls me at least once a year to tell me that she has found her perfect painting surface. A couple of years ago, it was a very nubby textured linen. That was it! Her masterpieces had a texture she really liked. Then it was gatorboard with clear gesso on it. I tried the clear gesso. It is a bit like painting on blotting paper. (Does anyone even remember what blotting paper is?). Next came Gessobord, her surface of choice for at least a year now.
Today she called me to say that she has now found the really perfect painting surface....old paintings! Ah-hah! I have a whole pile of old panels that will be able to be used again, but with a much better painting this time. Take a look at the one she did today, over top of an old painting of her own. Do you supppose years from now, a museum will be xraying it to see what is underneath?
Why would she like to paint over an old painting? Because it forces her to use thick paint and nice loose brush strokes. I guess I should give it a try myself. Perhaps I will keep a few of those failed paintings after all.....
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Now you've given away my secret.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're not thinking that the piece you've posted on this blog entry is one of your failures...because it's one of your best pieces. I love it!
I thought about posting a failed piece but I don't like anyone looking at those! This piece is hanging in the Arts Alive gallery. It is small, only a 6x8. I am glad you like it!
ReplyDeleteI have similar problems with my paintings. My solution was to try painting better but I can't, He,He. My newest option is painting not too big paintings but not all painters will be content with doing it. I agree with your sister is a very good painting, you shouldn't be so exacting with yourself.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, I really like this - great composition and movement - it just works!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori! I was happy with it too.
ReplyDeleteAnd Julian too, thanks! I figure that if I get one out of two that works when I paint in the studio, and one out of four plein air, then I am doing ok. So I have lots of old panels to take to my sister when I see her next week.
ReplyDeleteHi I found your blog I do not know how but I read it and feel I have to make one small commnet. I paint over paintings all the time because I am not happy with them or they are not selling. What I have to remeber is if I have done so to remove them from my website somebody once paid me for a painting that no longer existed. I so do like the painting you posted if it is ok with you I will follow your blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Ralph, I have not tried painting over my old paintings before, but I brought a stack of them to my sister this week and she is quite happily covering them up with much better artwork. They weren't good enough to even make it to my website, so I don't have to worry about removing them. Nice to see you here; I will visit your blogs soon....
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