Rusty 120x120cm acrylic on canvas
Positive. Head high and proud. That is the image I project to the world while inside I am in turmoil. Is it finished? I think it is. Oh no, just that bit, oh and I didn't notice that before. Why did I turn it, that whole section looks awful and has to be repainted.
These are the thoughts going through my mind at present. I am at the point where my husband usually tells me to stop and put it away. I usually disagree with him about everything, especially concerning painting. Invariably I listen, annoyingly he is usually right.
I held a 'preview' morning this morning with three close friends. As an artist I forget that the creative process is a mystery to others. Most people know that I paint, but have no idea what. Constantly I am told 'I would love to see your painting', so this morning I threw open the studio doors (well the back door at least) and welcomed them in. It was both an exercise and an opportunity to talk about my work with non artists. I find I spend so much time hidden in my corner (studio) that the only person I do discuss my work with is my husband, whose critical eye I have trained. Perhaps a little too well.
I think for my next coffee morning I need to take more control of the session and ask my guests to articulate on their responses to the work. 'I like it, I like the colours' is the usual response, which is flattering because I work hard on my colours, and they are probably the most important element in making a painting work. I feel it is time to stop hiding in the corner and to start putting myself out there, as it were, and inviting friends in to my studio is the first step and one that I will certainly continue.
