It has certainly been a far different year to the one I had imagined this time last year but in a way (for my art only) I am glad it happened. This may seem an odd thing to say when I was unable to send paintings to exhibitions that I had been accepted into, or to take the reference photos that I had hoped and planned to take for new paintings, but the lockdown forced me to take stock and reflect upon where I was in my art journey and the direction or path I wanted to continue along.
The four paintings of Isla in the photo above were not the only paintings I did this year but they were significant for me because the lockdown and then the year of social distancing forced me to look again at previously discarded references with a new more imaginative eye.
I decided in each painting I created to consciously focus in on what was important and develop a story or capture a certain mood in each through use of colour and value. I have always loved using the luminosity of transparent watercolour, but this year I wanted to use it with more purpose creating pathways of light and soft high key edges. With no deadlines I was able to take my time. to stop and reflect when needed and sometimes even to start again until I felt the painting conveyed what I had initially hoped for.
Top left: Cookies Aint Just for the Big Guy
Bottom left: Small Wonders
Bottom Centre: Sharing is Caring
Right: Distant Dreams
Painting them has been an interesting journey and has reinforced both why I love painting and make clearer to me the path I want to continue along in my art journey. (I promise that I will explain more about this 2nd part next year) For now... I think I have rambled enough for this year.
Do you have a favourite?
Hi Ona,
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear your story of painting during lockdown. Is this adorable Isla related to you? I think my favourite is the first in the group.
Wishing you and all of us a more normal life in 2021.
Thanks for sharing,
Patricia