oil on board 12"x 8"
This is a painting from a very long time ago, when I used to have patience. I've become so accustomed to following the guidelines of the "Daily Painting Movement" that it's become difficult for me to slow down and give my work the kind of time that it needs.
My intentions are to move away from my four + year habit of finishing a painting in 1-2 days. This isn't really a decision that I felt free to make: I honestly don't think I can continue to work that way anymore without becoming quite unhappy. Now and then I'll work quickly, but most likely it'll be a way to work out an idea for a larger painting.
There isn't anything wrong with "Daily Painting", and there are many painters out there who work that way with awesome results. It's just that I think MY work is better when I slow down. I'm also a naval-gazer by nature, so slowing down and really stewing over a painting is a better fit for me.
Thanks for reading this! I'd love to hear what you think. Here's another older painting, one that I spent more than a month on:
Mirrored Still Life with Shell oil on linen 24"x 30"
It's nice to have the freedom isn't it, sometimes my paintings turn out better when it's done in one swoop, other times I just have to take my time. I think what's important is to paint what you truly love deep down and not get sidetracked by all the interesting things going on in the art world (speaking for myself!!) Those sincere paintings from the heart are the best:)
ReplyDeleteThanks CJ. Part of my problem has been to become financially dependent on painting small and selling quick. Maybe at some point I'll get back to see the advantages of sometimes working quickly- after all, I can be kind of indecisive and changeable.
DeleteI can't imagine how you hung in for four years doing a painting every 1-2 days. I did Leslie Saeta's challenge of 30 in 30 6 months ago and it drove me crazy. I was tempted with the current challenge until I remembered how frantic it made me.
ReplyDeleteYour work is absolutely gorgeous!
That's interesting, Lori! Those challenges sound like they have some good benefits, but I'm afraid I'd end up with a lot of mediocre work. Also thanks for your kind words.
DeleteThese are both gorgeous. One simple and one complex. I love the bottom one for the many subtle repeats.The long highlight on the ceramic vessel with the inside mirror frame and the shell shape similar to the curved outside of the frame, The shadow of the inside opening of the shell creating a similar oval to the bowl in front of it. Sigh...beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI do a small painting alla prima, but my larger ones have always taken much longer. I like to get a few of them going and then nibble on them as I see inspirational stuff come up in my mind..I laughed at Lori's comments about the last 30 in 30 Challenge. I did it too, but after two weeks I had lost my JOY and by the end I knew I would not participate in another one. I do think they are a good motivator for a lot of artists and genuinely applaud them for their dedication.
Julie, it's always so good to hear from you. You're so thoughtful and wise. Probably if I'd not limited myself for so long to 6"x6" and 7"x7" sizes, I wouldn't be so frustrated.
DeleteThe end result and the experience of each of these approaches are vastly different, but I love all of your work.
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice to hear, Susan. I love your work too. Maybe some day we can meet- you aren't too far away.
DeleteI just love your work Taryn, both the quick daily ones and the slower detailed paintings. How wonderful to be great at both! You are inspirational!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim! I'm glad that you don't mind both my approaches.
DeleteThese are beautiful paintings Taryn. I love the echoing of curves and ovals in the "Mirrored" painting. And of course I love painting ceramics so I'm drawn to it for that as well, but they are both beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI can really relate to your comment about stewing over a painting. Sometimes I have to let something sit for a while until I have resolved how to finish it.
I also find that a steady diet of doing small paintings takes me away from the main thrust of doing more involved work. It's nice once in a while but art takes time.
Thanks for sharing your work.
Thank you Jean. I've tried doing both large and small at once, but that seems hard. I do best when I focus on one thing at a time. One subject, one approximate size, one media. Too many small paintings has hurt my powers of concentration, that is for sure.
DeleteBoth these paintings are beautiful Taryn...this post is great because I can really relate to that rushed feeling when having to finish a painting quickly. I have only been daily painting for a little over two years and did become unhappy, so I decided to slow down and have started a couple of larger ones as well. To be honest I like to take my time and now paint only what I love...big or small! Thanks for sharing, it's good to know I'm not the only one feeling like this!
ReplyDeleteKaren, it's nice to read your comment because I always did have the feeling that you like to paint patiently, with time for contemplation about the subject. I love your work.
DeleteYour work is beautiful, Taryn, whether it's a small alla prima gem or a carefully honed larger work. It's natural to desire a change in working method, scale, or shift of focus in one's work. Being creative means taking on new kinds of challenges to maintain passion and interest in what one does. Not to do so means courting the risk of it becoming just a "job."
ReplyDeleteWow, Don, it's so nice to hear this. And yes, I completely agree- you can't get comfortable because as soon as you do, your drive goes out the window.
DeleteThe flower one is fantastic..very well studied on the lighting and very real in addition to being very personal. I have had similar problems in the past with self doubt when my first intuitions were not rewarded with success. I would change approaches entirely and rationalize it, all the while denying the real cause of my change in painting...no immediate success or growing fan base. I look back at the years I wasted following the wrong path. Luckily I have learned much, but the damage to my marketability was huge. It is so so so important to maintain ones momentum, no matter how small and evolve in a rational manner, based off one's own art and personal progress. I've made the mistake of thinking the grass was greener in other artist camp, and paid the price.
ReplyDeleteI think whatever direction you take it reflects your skill and sensitivity. It's so interesting to read this. I've just recently gotten caught up in daily painting...and it's what I personally seem to need to get past my own personal demons...and the quickness does seem to suit my temperament...get in, make a statement, get out! But I suspect I too will yearn for a little more time on a painting one of these days...Our whole culture values the yang of "fast and furious"....so slowing down is exactly what the doctor would order to keep in balance. The jewels are in the slowing down, no?
ReplyDeleteI've been having an interesting ongoing conversation about the Daily Painting Movement with someone, and one thing he says that really resonates with me is this: Quality is what matters. Are you painting as well as you can, or are you painting quickly?
ReplyDeleteFollow your soul, your gut, your instinct...it will never lead you down the wrong path. I, too, in the beginning of this year 2014 said NO to daily painting as well....it just no longer suits my inner call. Your painting is marvelous, Taryn, just follow your path. All shall be well. Blessings! (I never did move to Oil City after all!)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a daily painter but I often paint from life a la prima (models not still lifes) and I have the same conflict that you have been experiencing between longer and more thoughtful versus quicker and more spontaneous. I love the spontaneity of painting from life but want the complexity that working without a deadline allows. It is a dilemma that I'm still working through.
ReplyDeleteYour shell painting is beautiful; everything that a well-considered painting should be.