WHEN NOT EVERY PAINTING IS A MASTERPIECE

Hello Everyone!
The Pacific Northwest  boasts colorful displays... and the warm sunny days declare summertime!  I am happiest with lush beauty around me.

As usual for me, I am in the studio creating, experimenting, and pushing myself in areas I have not tried before.  Sometimes my work develops beautifully and I am  satisfied with myself and talent.  I don't post pieces  that  challenge or annoy me.  I work on it until I reach a point where I am aware I am no longer making meaningful progress....and then I put it aside, take a break, and start on something new the next day.  Eventually I'll come back to it, see it as a challenge, and work it til.... I paint over it with white gesso and start again....something new and with a different twist.  Keeps me in the studio.
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Here are a couple paintings I recently finished, and am pleased with.  Yes, I know it's summer, but I put on my Christmas playlist and I'm good.

 And what about those images that never make this newsletter.  I think about those and wonder what the Masters did.  My curiosity led me to some interesting info...you interested?

 

THE LAST SUPPER
​Leonardo DaVinci

Artists have good and bad days.  DaVinci was a difficult artist for patrons to work with as he would abandon commissions.  He had lots of rejections and considered himself a failure.  

The Last Supper commission did not turn out well for him.  He was commissioned to paint a fresco...which is a technique, rapidly done, using watercolor paints on a wet plaster  wall.  The colors penetrate the plaster and becomes fixed as it dries.  Davinci wanted to take his time and decided to use tempera and oil paints on a dry plaster wall.  That didn't work and the pigment didn't stick to the wall, and actually degraded the image.

I'm sure many artists have failed paintings but none quite so famous as this one.  Most of the Old Masters would rework their paintings until they were satisfied.

DaVinci was a perfectionist and re-worked his paintings alot.  He actually had quite a small body of work completed in his lifetime, about 20 paintings, which are now incredibly valuable.

Rembrandt, VanGogh, and Michaelangelo all set aside and reworked their art. 

A common theme I found was their perfectionism and willingness to refine their art.  This demonstrated a commitment to growth and mastery.

This one went to the critique group.  I was happy with it and after listening to suggestions from other artist's I trust...I gave it my own critique and felt a couple of changes would strengthen the composition...My critique group is a great safety net!
 
I'll be in the studio all summer getting ready for  several Autumn shows.

If you are interested in coming over to see new works for purchase before they go out to galleries or shows, contact me for a visit.  Many of you have already been over.  The hot pot is always ready for a cup of tea.

Blessings,
Patrice