Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Mutual Support - painting from the depths of hell






this piece was doomed from the get go...firstly it was revisited from a photo i had already used for a painting i did in all sepia tones. the original sepia painting was my favourite painting. a client wanted it, so i sold it...it went bad from there and now there is bad blood between the client and myself. a huge bad taste in my mouth.
so somehow thinking i could revisit this photo, i tried again and only in colour this time and the horses would have more wind blown manes and stormy skies...sounds good no? there is an old saying i believe fits for everyday.
"plan your day, don't plan the outcome"
or in this case...plan the painting, don't plan the outcome....sheesh....understatement!!!
from the get go it was a struggle from the under painting being 'washed' off by the glaze of transparent red iron oxide to the palette seemingly changing from day to day. i had a buyer for this piece. it was yet to be finished and yet a client wanted it...just finish it and money was mine to be had!!
if ANYTHING was to be learned from this piece, it was this very important thing for me. an 'aha' moment...i am NOT motivated by money. there it was a huge amount of money dangling before me. the painting 2/3 done and the moment the money was there, the expectation, the pressure was on....i froze!!!
after 6 months of being frozen, the client withdrew his offer...now i was free!! free to finish when i wanted! so struggling along, and with the intent to get it done for the stampede western art show in july which i was juried into, desperate as usual for inventory, i abandoned it..um i mean finished it!!!
...whew sure was hot down there in the depths of hell...or was that a hot flash?!

9 comments:

Lynn A. Fraley said...

An overdue comment -- it's funny how art projects take on a life (and time line!) of their own. I love your work Michelle -- you rock, even when your path is rocky.

Gary Keimig said...

wonderful paintings in your blog. I love 'em.

Anonymous said...

WWW

Gammablixt

Single Swingle

entintades said...

Beautiful horses, good work

Roger Brown Art said...

I love your horse paintings they are so realistic also enjoyed the photos of your work on the easel,and in the field.Art Blogs like yours is a great inspiration for me ,keep it up.

Art Collector's Corner said...

very nice!!

Noushka said...

Brilliant artwork!
One of the best blogs I have visited for horse painting!
Wish I had your talent! ;-)
Just fantastic!
Cheers!

Willow said...

Beautiful work , you really can't rush outcomes ~ they just tend to unfold at their own pace no matter the time or frame that is waiting for them!

Free Rein Art Studio said...

Beautiful!