So Heather, the whole idea of a pretty tree over here, or maybe a nice barn over there, is trying to paint with your head. Whereas what you did as a kid was painting with your heart. So next time you want to paint, try approaching the blank canvas simply as space you are going to break up with colour and line. That way you can come to your project with more freedom. somewhere in you still exists that kid who painted with such abandon. br/>
HCal said:
That’s actually really beautiful I think! I tried to paint with oil paints over a decade ago and it was such an epic fail I haven’t tried again. I watched too much Bob Ross and thought it would be really easy to make “a pretty little tree live over here” or “maybe a nice barn can live right over here.” It did not happen that way for me lol. I’ve bought canvases and paint recently but I think I’m afraid to mess them up now. Maybe on all these drugs I can paint something more free and awesome!
Liquin is a great medium. Have you tried cutting the oil with just something like mineral spirits (a good brand like Gamsol with low odor) to get your composition down first? It dries fast, then you can make changes over top and then layer with the paint mixed with the Liquin. The rule of thumb in oil painting is “fat over lean”. />
JoeE said:
Thanks, you are too kind… I really liked the oil actually. I did cut it with Liquin (a fancy medium) which made it real easy to work with.
Some say Beatles did their best work on drugs… Can’t hurt to try!
Still have a ton of oil. Had a good time doing it so not sure why I haven’t done more… Just found a great deal on Amazon so I ordered a few canvases to put that oil to work!
We actually have a wonderful museum here in Cleveland Ohio… Not to sound like a “homeboy” but I find it it’s every bit as good as Met in New York or the art institute in Chicago. For some reason the museum here has an astronomical endowment fund. So they can procure amazing art and a also are just about to finish up a $350 Million dollar renovation. The impressionist section has many Van Goh’s, Morisot’s, Monet’s, and Renior’s! All about a 20 minute drive from my home.
Bellalarke said:
Hey JoeE, you can never spend too much time looking at Impressionist painting! Its wonderful to get inspired. I really like your painting. Good colour sense and nice brushwork. To make something satisfying goes way beyond "therapeutic", I think, it takes you to another realm.
I love going to big museums and galleries.
Are you going to make more paintings? Looks like you still got some paint left...
Nice! My meds work the best when I am really engaged with something interesting and somewhat hard to do, but not so hard that I feel helpless. It’s a fine line. Then some days I do too much and get an explosion of pain afterward.
I have heard about your get art museum but have not had the opportunity to visit. I’ve been to the Art Institute several times. Went to NYC for the Rothko retrospective in '98 and also Pollock but wasn’t there enough time to take in the Met.
Fabulous that you are only 20minutes away from so much great work.
Show us your next piece!
We have an amazing museum of fine art here in Houston, unfortunately the first time I was there was when my severe attacks first started so I was in pain and sweating bullets the whole time I was there. I toughed it out though. Made sure I saw everything. I wish I’d spent a little less time with the older stuff so I could’ve saved more time for the room with the Pollocks and really cool installation pieces. They had an amazing Tiffany stained glass window that I was just fascinated with. It was huge. I’m all doped up right now so I’m having trouble with my recall of all the pieces there. They have a Picasso exhibition there right now that I’d love to go see with my dad. I sure hope the gamma sets in and starts working in time for that! My dad’s birthday is towards the end of May and the exhibition ends May 27th. Everyone send your good mojo that we can enjoy that exhibit together!
I’m sending you all the mojo I can muster that you get to see that Picasso show with your dad. I saw that show when it was in Seattle. The sheer amount of work that man put out is mind blowing. Also if you want to break out from “a pretty little barn over here” kind of painting, this is the stuff to see. You also have the Rothko Chapel in Houston. I’d like to see that some day.
Given the time difference between the coast and Texas, I am now writing to you on your birthday. So sending you lots of good vibes for your day. I’m praying its all going to turn around for you now. You have the rest of your life to look forward to! Something good is coming your way.
My dad got a new car and it has a sport suspension. I think he’s personally offended that I don wan tried in his car, but the roads in Houston suck and its a really rough ride!!
