The art of being true...

Hello and welcome to my Blog.

I saw this quote today and it really made me think...

Here is another...Be true to oneself...

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. 

William Shakespeare

My Studio World 

I am happy in my studio moving oil paint around.   

Making marks on canvas.  

Am I true to myself?

I like to think so.

I get to choose what and how I paint.

I do not paint what others want...

Not now.

How do I do it?

Where do ideas come from?

Is there a formula?

Questions asked by viewers of my work.

It is hard to explain...I really do not know.

There is no initial plan and no prior sketches.

I just begin.  

As the painting progresses I might make colour 

changes and the shapes evolve as I work.

I add layers until I like it and will take 

parts away or make new marks.

I rely on my feelings and follow my intuition.

The oils and addition of cold wax medium 

make the paint pleasurable to sculpt with

a knife or brush.  Scrapers and rollers

are also used to create the effects I want.

Struggles and battles on the shop floor.

Studio life is full of challenges.

There are few times when the picture almost 

paints itself. Mostly there is a battle of wills.

These keep me focused and prevent complacency.

A recent example...

Below is a painting on my easel which has been a struggle.  

A reasonable painting was turned into a nightmare 

by my tinkering and meddling.  I should have walked away.

Layer after layer has now been applied, scraped back and scribbled over.   

It represents hours of struggle and perseverance.   

  

It has gone through many stages but I think I am getting somewhere. 

I like the texture and thick parts of oil paint 

which gives a luscious appearance.

Now it rests in the house until it dries.

Then I will decide if I go further, change parts 

or leave it alone for a few weeks.

Here it is...  

If you would like to own a piece of my art,

please email me to arrange a visit to my Studio.

Card payment accepted 

annewoodpaintings@gmail.com

Until next time...

Thank you for visiting.