..the gap between that moment after the initial brush strokes and the finished painting. At times it can seem an impassible gulf, and others it's possibly ten minutes ago, before you tried that new idea you thought was the 'one'. When I'm working on areas like this, although i'm using a photographic reference, I'm not slaving myself to it, as I like to use it to remind me of the emotions that I felt at the time. Those emotions are what I'm trying to carry into the painting, to share with you. Otherwise I may as well just hang up a photo.
So when I'm working on areas like this, I'm riffing, and improvising, and trying to keep it from looking like I strangled it. To me, it works best when the colours and brush strokes seem to dance, and move. Carrying you around the painting, and sweeping you up with moments of recognition and memories of your own.
I'm still a ways off from finishing this, but I'm getting there, and the more I work it, the clearer the vision becomes. I have to remember the painting before I've finished it, to know what it's going to look like, if that makes any sense.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and as ever, let's hear your comments. I'm always happy to talk with you.
Artwork by Daniel Martin Fairbairn