While working full-time in home support, I have taken a weekend painting course at VISA (on Quadra St., Victoria BC) which introduced me to a more innovative way of painting. I often work on a painting without an original idea and just start painting with colours that eventually begin to take form, which I then develop further into an image. This course started with a blank canvas and watered down acrylic paint, dribbling and splatting colour and letting it dry like an ink blot. This was the first time I was supported to use acrylic with water, as I had previously been told that this compromises the medium - obviously the acrylic paint has improved since I was told this! This was repeated 5 -6 times, building up layers of flowing organic forms. My instructor encouraged me to not rush, which is something I didn't think I did!! He encouraged me to take more time to allow the paint to do the work, and I just controlled a very small aspect of the painting! It was a very enjoyable experience, expanding on my already loose technique.
I also wanted to experiment with beginning on a black canvas, so when I started to work on my paintings at home, this is how I started using the new technique. My first impulse is to say "I know what that is!" and start defining it, but my course gave me the confidence to hold back and continue to allow the painting to develop itself to a greater degree before I added my "two cents worth". I have a tendency to see flowers and gardens in many undeveloped images, so that is the direction many of the paintings have taken. I found that starting on a dark background created shadows and element of depth that other paintings didn't have. It is a really new direction and exciting to feel that my technique is serving my natural tendencies, and creating something very satisfying on a new level!
I also wanted to experiment with beginning on a black canvas, so when I started to work on my paintings at home, this is how I started using the new technique. My first impulse is to say "I know what that is!" and start defining it, but my course gave me the confidence to hold back and continue to allow the painting to develop itself to a greater degree before I added my "two cents worth". I have a tendency to see flowers and gardens in many undeveloped images, so that is the direction many of the paintings have taken. I found that starting on a dark background created shadows and element of depth that other paintings didn't have. It is a really new direction and exciting to feel that my technique is serving my natural tendencies, and creating something very satisfying on a new level!
Night Poppies, acrylic, 16" x 20", November 2013
Many layers later, acylic, 20" x 16", July 2014.
Layers, acrylic, 16" x 20", July 2014
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