An Unfinished Painting..........

Well, I decided to put both good and bad days/(weeks?) into this blog as this is reality in a studio- MY studio anyway. I have been trying to finish a painting that is to be auctioned off at a local gala in the near future. It started out as an exciting array of colors/forms and emotions (the abstract orchid from my last blog entry) but came to an abrupt stop when it came to finishing/tweaking the background. I have been in a funk/deadlock/or whatever you call it when you stand in front of your painting with your heart racing (due to deadlines and imagined faces of 100s of people standing in front of one's painting with faces of boredom as the auctioneer keeps begging for bids..........). How do you meet these deadlines without compromising your art? How does an artist appeal to buyers and still say what is in their heart? I really did not think this would be so hard.

Anyway, I have decided to leave this painting alone for now. Lesson learned. I am taking one of my other paintings (a favorite!) and placing this in the auction as I need to get started on yet another commission before the week is done. Actually, I am already planning that next painting as I type this. Ahhhhh, thank goodness for new ideas, a new day and a cup of tea.

"Happy painting!"

Khanh's Orchids

Today I finished (?) a painting that is going to be auctioned off in a week or so at the Des Moines Wine Fest Gala. It's propped in my studio at present so that tomorrow morning I can walk in and look at it with fresh eyes.

This painting was started approximately 24 hours ago as a release for my frustration. You see, my husband is president of Wine Fest this year and was walking through my studio as I painted, flipping through painting after painting for the "perfect painting" for a Wine Fest auction item. Well, this is not a comfortable scenario for me (and I think most artists!) so I told him I would "get right on that" and ushered him out of my studio door. I then pulled out a full sheet of YUPO paper, grabbed a gorgeous potted orchid & plopped it on my desk and jumped right into my fresh paint with the largest brush I could grab. Ahhhh, the right side of my brain is such a great place to go and just play...........

I love getting into the brushwork (Chinese or Asian style) of the flowers and leaves, then figuring out the design and composition as I go along. I am comfortable and stimulated by this style of painting, but it goes against what I have been taught by traditional teachers (by first doing value studies, choosing one's palette, sketches, etc). I am also finding that many of my paintings that I do in this way look similar to me. Sooooo, "is this my style or am I just in a rut?" Ooooooh! Such deep, philosophical questions..........