Monday, June 2, 2014

Studio Table and Shelves with a Distant Landscape

oil on linen mounted on board 16"x12"
available 

I like painting interiors that show a peaceful indoor scene as well as a small slice of a wider life glimpsed outside. Here my white studio table and a close up of some Ikea shelving are filled with my ever-present and always patient still life paraphernalia. Out the window is a landscape scene that I tried to make seem as inviting as possible. 

I worked on this painting throughout the month of May. At times it was a challenge to keep going, as for a few years now I've been so used to finishing off paintings in 2 or 3 days. I started out feeling so excited, then after a while began to have little dips of boredom, but then would get re-interested. Overall it was much more satisfying for me to work this way.   

Of course when a painting takes so long, it's important to spend time carefully planning out the composition. Perhaps next time I'll use fewer horizontals, and I'll spend even more time on preparatory drawings. Here is the sketch I completed before starting the painting:

7 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about keeping momentum up for longer paintings. I've fallen into the daily painting mindset and I have a hard time getting myself to do paintings that might take a few days. I need to work on that.

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    1. Thanks Dave. I'm glad to know I'm not alone!

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  2. I love the quiet feel yet exciting construction of this , Taryn. Lovely!

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    1. What a thoughtful comment, Karen. Thanks so much!

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  3. The drawing in superb and it translated into a wonderfully classic landscape/interior/still life. Infinity through the window. I am in awe of the floor. Antonio L Garcia would be proud.
    I always have some large pieces going. Some I have reworked for a couple of years. They are a sounding board of my personal journey with art.
    Your getting this one finished in a month is amazing.

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    1. Thank you so much Julie! I would love to have several pieces going at once, but my natural bent is to hunker down and focus on just one thing at a time. It feels too uncomfortable to let it go and work on other things.

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  4. It is lovely...I oscillate between fear of starting, fear of finishing and messing up a good painting halfway finished... I'm working on it. Thank you for sharing your struggle, you finished this one nicely!

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