Thursday, August 21, 2008

Painting "Pear Trees and Cabin" (WIP)

This is one of my love/hate relationship paintings. I don't know if I love it or hate it or both. I love certain things about it, but I think I may have killed it by overworking it to death. I was experimenting with thick applications of paint, layer over layers and scumbling light over dark. As you probably can tell, I started this in the spring, hence the amazing pear blossoms. I was captivated by the energy of the moment. There were bumblebees and honeybees buzzing around the pear blossoms. This is viewed from the back of Sam's old 18th century log house, which is literally falling down and has been patched with barn siding. The siding is also falling off. I am looking for feedback. Should I paint over it and start afresh?

10 comments:

Her Eye Zone Art said...

Do not paint over it! You're being overcritical of your work. The colors are great and I love the thick paint. The sky is beautiful. It doesn't look overworked from here!! Hold on to it and do another version in the Spring to compare. I think you could sell this. :)

dive said...

Don't you dare touch it, Neetzy!
This is beautiful!
Not just the sky and the trees and the sinuous movement of the branches, but the bars of sunshine and shadow on the grass and especially the play of light and shade and amazing colour on the barn.
Wonderful!

neetzy said...

Her eye zone,

Thanks so much. I needed another artist's eye to comment. Some paintings get to the "point of no-return". I kinda, sorta liked this one, but it was borderline...

neetzy said...

Dive,

Are you serious? I get manic when I paint at times. Sometimes I blame it on the music. (Vampire Weekend, lately) Sometimes I think I have adult ADHD. I have about 5 works in progress at the moment. This is the first I dared to share. They are all ridiculously different!

Her Eye Zone Art said...

You'd be surprised how many artists share your method of painting. I've got about the same number of paintings going. Maybe it is adult ADD...or maybe it's a restless, creative spirit with lots of different ideas and feelings that need to be expressed. :O

dive said...

I'm the same, Neetzy; I have probably two dozen half-finished canvases in the studio cupboard.
But then I always feel a finished painting is a dead painting.
I love this one and yes, I am serious.

Barbara Pask said...

I'll add my comment to the others, don't touch it. I really like the sky in this. Also thanks for the link for the cake site, I had a great time looking around. Scary baby cake! Thank you for visiting me, I'll watch for you portrait painting.

neetzy said...

Her eye zone and dive,

Thanks. You've convinced me. I won't touch it. Hopefully I'll get a few of the "others" out soon. I went to Dick Blick (Art supplies) because they had an incredible sale 70% off canvasses (if you bought 20). I bought them in ranges from 8x8 to 30x40 - all primed and ready to go. Most women spend their money on clothes!

neetzy said...

Barbara,

Thanks again for visiting. I'm glad you enjoyed the cake snack as well. I'm trying to get my WIPs out there. I'm loving everyone's feedback. School starts for me next week though, so if I'm a little lax for a couple of weeks, you'll know why.

Zuzana said...

I agree with everyone else, please do not paint it over. But I think that fact is settled at this point. It is beautiful and holds a certain atmosphere. I always start fresh, if I do not approve of a painting, as in time you might see it with different eyes.