Week Four Painting

So after a very creatively frustrating week, I cranked up the reggae tunes and decided to attempt a portrait of Yuri, my boyfriend. I have some great photos of him I've taken over the years so I thought I'd make an attempt at an accurate rendering. For me this is a big deal because I've never felt adept enough as a painter to do something like this and be happy with it.

So my attempt this week was to be a little more painterly or impressionistic, I didn't quite achieve the impressionistic goal but I'm pretty happy with the portrait. Oh how I envy painters that can break down what they see into shapes and colours, not getting caught up in too much realism.

Wild Connection - Acrylic on Canvas - 12" x 24"

So anyhow, I did get caught up in trying to get the background how I wanted it, it's not quite there but I'm going to leave it alone...it's not as good as I know I'd like to be able to do it.  I'm very happy with the face and t-shirt, especially the t-shirt and it's paint application. Surprisingly enough those came very easily...I believe I remained very focused and grounded for this part of the painting...lots of old school reggae music helped.

I find that playing loud tribal or primal music really helps me stay grounded in my body and out of my head...which translates into a much more spontaneous painting. When I can combine that spontaneity with understanding of what I'm painting and how I'm painting (ie: technical skill), things tend to go pretty well. I like to call it "painting with purpose" as apposed to piddling and puttering around not really knowing what I'm doing with my brush.  I always stand when I'm painting to let the music generated energy flow through me and out my bush...sounds a little hokey but for me it works. 

It's been years since I've seriously tried to paint and I'm finding my way back to where I once was, only now I'm going forward with more knowledge and life experience so this time my experiences and outcome will be different, better I hope. It's like being on a spiral and I've come around to the same point again, only further up.