philosophy
I don't yet know how to talk about the work I'm creating, so it's really wonderful to hear from readers how they respond to the work. I've re-posted an image from an earlier Daily Dose, along this a reader's insight. It's fascinating!
I've been thinking about the direction this work is taking, and why. I'm exploring shapes, lines, shadows and light, composition. These are the elements in the landscape-- and in my landscape paintings-- that move me; it's like I'm zooming in to focus on them. It's like a wordless song that allows you to infer meaning of your own. I feel like I've dived into the deep end.
I have also realized that my expressive choices are akin to when I paint landscapes-- say as little as possible while still fully presenting the idea. It's a matter of knowing when the shape or line is "done," in the same way I know that a tree or field is done. That if I add anything else it will get muddied and lose its "punch." This, of course, is subjective, for landscapes as well as abstracts. Some people respond to highly-realized photo-realistic landscapes, others to barely-implied impressions. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
When I first began to paint landscapes, it was very much hit or miss. There were steps forward, failures, experiments, successes, and eventually I figured out what worked and how to take it to the next painting. I learned what I liked and how to get there. I am in that learning process with my abstracts, although I am surprised at how many "hits" there are, at least in my own mind. Perhaps it's because I'm enjoying myself so much, but I also think it's because I'm able to translate my vision to the canvas most of the time. It helps that I know my materials! I feel it will be a steeper (faster) trajectory to find my voice in this genre.
Warmest regards,
Rachel
Philosopher
P.S. Quite a few of you have been entertained by my food obsession (it's nice to have a good audience!); here are some responses:
"I thoroughly enjoy hearing about the food."
"Sounds like you're enjoying a daily dose of good food."
"You're making me hungry."
I'm off to eat dinner...
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