The throes

Often I find that a painting will reach a point where it looks almost finished- as in the composition works and it is basically 'painted', yet for whatever reason lacks in 'punch'. Figuring out what to do next is often a long, cumbersome and drawn out period. It can take me weeks or months to discover or decide what the missing element is. Sometimes it's best to give up and accept the piece for what it is, while other paintings demand that extra mile of effort. One of the hardest things to accept is that it's often going to get worse before it gets better. Nobody really likes to look at their creation and think 'you sure are ugly- and a bore! what was I thinking?!'

So what next? destruction in search of creation? I can only hope that each additional element augments the visual/emotional impact of the painting, or that it might lead to a moment of revelation. The rewards can be great, but sometimes you will be left with an overworked, tired and lifeless waste of spent materials.


Somewhere along the line....