8 x 10"oil on masonite
nfs
This painting I did back in December - for a friend. I would show you something brand new but I can't paint anymore. Well..... I'm in a state. I've been here before, and just like the cold, winter days - this too shall pass. Every day I've painted - with short spans of attention - like I'm in grade school on the last day before summer vacation.
This is what's happening - I paint about 5 hours, later in the day, quit halfway thru, go to bed and the next morning.... I hate the painting. I have wiped six or so in the past week. Could be I've gone from 4 inch squares to bigger panels - could be I've been painting the 100 Faces so loose and free and I'm having trouble finding that happy medium between too tight and too loose - could be the moon. Defeated? Nah. It'll come around.
This is what's happening - I paint about 5 hours, later in the day, quit halfway thru, go to bed and the next morning.... I hate the painting. I have wiped six or so in the past week. Could be I've gone from 4 inch squares to bigger panels - could be I've been painting the 100 Faces so loose and free and I'm having trouble finding that happy medium between too tight and too loose - could be the moon. Defeated? Nah. It'll come around.
27 comments:
This is a sweet painting Karin. It's nice to read that I'm not alone in churning out a bunch of wipers. You're right, tomorrow is a new day!
Just beautiful! And, of course it will come back! You are awesome!
The little girl's face and body says it all. The whole post made me laugh and I am still smiling. What a creative way to express! It's not always about painting and painting and painting. Creativity is so much more than that. Once mastered, painting will always be there, like a bicycle. Creativity is the one that needs to be nurtured and protected. So, maybe that's what's going on. :)
Mojo is a sometimes thing.
Karin, maybe you're suffering a form of withdrawal after completing such an awesome project. We all know you'll be cranking out beauties again soon. Afterall, April will be here before you know it! As you always say, "paint on"!
Love the concentration on her face.
Not fun to lose time on a painting you are not happy with. Guess we still learn and grow through our failures. Hope so anyway!
Keep on truckin!
I'm so glad you posted this--I feel the that sometimes I need to quit painting for a week or two and pretend to loathe it. Then I go do the things that made me the creative person I am today--activities that are completely different from painting. And then come back with recharged batteries.
Good luck and carry on!
She is adorable! I love this. Of course I love little girls. You are so talented that I am positive your mojo will return post-haste!
i hate those moments...sadly, ive been in that state for sometime now :(
enjoy the break, you have been working hard with all those faces lately :)
Maybe you chose to post this endearing painting because it harks back to a time of innocent exploration and uninhibited discovery - may be those are ways of re-connecting and re-energizing.
My method of re-energizing is to paint a little, stop and have a chocolate chip cookie, paint a little bit more, stop and have another chocolate chip cookie, paint a little bit more, stop and...
I look forward to your posts after your deserved respite.
I too am glad that you posted this. I'm usually pretty productive but for the past two weeks I've been wiping away paintings left and right. I know that you'll get out of your slump but it often takes time...I just hope that it doesn't take long for either one of us. Karin, don't let the size of a painting overwhelm you.
great painting Karen and great attitude to painting... you'll push through:)
This is a excellent painting Karin.beautiful colours....
You've given so much, maybe you just need to pause for a while and let that well fill up again.
About your 100 faces: so many of them were faces that most wouldn't consider beautiful in real life. Thank you for showing the beauty in every single one of those faces.
I think that we learn a lot from our so called failures or mistakes. I'm sure you just need a bit of a break. I love all your paintings by the way. They really inspire me. Thank you for that.
Boy do I get what you are saying. I am going through a loss of the muse and the desire to paint. When I go through bad painting periods, I just tell myself a jump in my ability must be coming and in that past that is exactly what has happened. I hope that is what is happening to you. I love your work.
sending you good vibes...good energy...healing and relaxation....you are awesome
This is wonderful Karen. Maybe one of my favorites.
I know what you mean, not being able to paint anymore. I've been going through that same thing, though mine has lasted about 3 months. At least you're painting each day! I've gotten to the point where I'm avoiding it because of the frustration. Let's hope for our painting mojo to reappear!
I think Linda is right. Most of us feel a bit drained after completing any big project. I either clean my studio or my favorite pick-me-up is to go look at art. Hit the galleries and Museums. I always come back recharged. Paint on.
Great painting. And, somehow we all push through these moments and often come out better!
Wow, do I feel your pain! It can be pretty unsettling when we think we have "forgotten" how to paint. Friend of mine used to say, "That's it, I'm washed up...". Tongue in cheek of course, but every professional painter I know experiences this, it's almost cyclical.
You just had a huge push, sometimes a little time away is needed to refill the vessel. Thinking your framing shop used to be that time, and you haven't found a replacement yet.
love the painting. I think you need a little pampering. Go on a short trip. Take the dogs someplace special for a long walk. Go out to a favorite place for a fun dinner. Go to a national park. Drink a margarita or two.
Play your music LOUD.
Karin,
A mentor of mine gave me some very profound words of wisdom in regards to painters block. "Sometimes you just have to paint an ugly one." He went on to say that in doing this you can lament over it thus moving you into a new space with your work. I have painted many painting from a place of lament. There is something to this which is beyond understanding. I have been following your blog for a long time now and enjoy everything you put forward. Thank you for inspiring.
I LOVE this painting, so special. Thank you for sharing about your struggles, we all understand. I think if we are ever completely satisfied with where we are as artists it might be time to give it up. You are fantastic and it will come back better than ever.
Well you clearly regained your stride! This is a lovely, expressive painting. The recipients must be thrilled!
Love this little girl, Karin!
I can relate to your blahs. I agree with what someone else said, possible overload from 100 faces. I couldn't write for 2 months after finishing Nat'l novel writing month. Burnout is real. I can't wait to see what you'll come up with next, when your mojo returns!
By the time you read this you'll be back at it but just wanted to say I'll bet the ones you wiped were just fine. I'll bet it was just you perception of your paintings that was off. My paintings look good to me some days and bad another. I think it's mostly our vantage point.
I did learn years ago that some days are for making the lines while other days are for filling them in. in other words... some days we feel very creative and can whip out stuff like crazy while other days are better for doing mundane things like framing,cleaning up, stretching camvas etc..
Closing down your shop is a big deal . you should expect to be a little 'off'
but your new posts are wonderful!
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