Earlier this month I released a small collection of paintings. I went through the full process of finishing the work (varnishing, photographing, cataloguing, etc.) and presenting it to the public. It was a ton of work and a great learning experience.

But now the fanfare, such as it was, has died down. And I’m left wondering, what next?

While I was wrapping up the last series, I started to feel a bit discontent about all the blues I was using. I love blue (who doesn’t love the sky?) but I felt like I wanted to shake things up. My last series was quite blue-focused as well.

Think pink!

I started dreaming about hot oranges and warm pinks. Maybe it was the grey November weather, but I started looking at early Matisse paintings painted in Collioure in the south of France. I was also drawn to some very hot-coloured collages by Lee Krasner.

All of this was percolating away as I got stuck into the non-painting work I do—report design for my graphic design business, website work for the paintings, and making time to get outside and explore the local landscape.

I found myself procrastinating a bit about painting. Which was odd, because I thought I was chomping at the bit to get back to painting.

I think after having spent a week or two away from painting, there was inertia to overcome—and also some fear. It’s a funny thing, but once paintings are finished I find I look at them, and I have no idea where they came from. I love them, but I don’t know how I did it. And I wonder, will I be able to do it again?

The turning point

The turning point for me was when I got the unsold paintings from the previous collection out of my studio. I think they were intimidating me! Once they were gone I felt freer and ready to move forward. I started gessoing small panels and getting ready to begin.

Today I got the first layers of paint up on those boards and a canvas. I like beginning with smaller pieces. Some people figure out colour palettes or compositions on paper, but I can’t seem to get excited about working on paper. I did a few sketches and some colour studies, but I really just wanted to paint on wood or canvas.

Working on the boards was terrific fun. The beginning is so free. There’s nothing to worry about. All the hard decisions come later.

Time-lapse video

I wanted to document this moment, not just to show you, but also for myself. To remind me how loose and effortless the beginning is. (It can be hard to remember that at some of the later stages!)

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