So you won't have too long to wait for the birth.
The first one is a simple self-portrait, so I can see who I have become. The other, well put it this way, the other is one that was inspired by the uncovering of an illusion.
It's conception was unavoidable.
The conditions were very favourable:
The ground was fertile,
the season was right,
the planets were aligned.
There has been a few signs of morning sickness, bouts of hysteria and pre-natal madness.
To paint well I have to let my insanity loose-
it can cause trouble as it leaves the cage-
Apologies to my friends..........
I also have to become THE HERMIT Not that easy for someone who has been THE EMPRESS for a few years.
As my babies grow I will describe the changes, so keep posted for an up date every week,
you can share the highs and the lows of the birth of a painting.
As with any job, the foundations laid pre-determine the end result.
I like to paint on board, 10mls thick usually, and I like a large area to work on. One of the two I am preparing now is one metre square. So as you can imagine my paintings end up very heavy. I only just avoided serious damage to life and limb when the Weta painting dropped off the wall above me seconds after I had moved to one side. That would have been one point to Mother Nature.
To prepare a board I first have to get Mark to cut it to size.
The big noisy saw-thing freaks me out,
( memories still linger of my fathers fingertips being sliced off into oblivion)
I undercoat it both sides.
Then stretch calico over one side while the paint is still wet. This provides a textured surface on which to apply the picture.
One final coat of undercoat to seal it and I am ready to go.....
NEXT STEP: Sketch the image on in pencil or a light wash to see how everything 'fits', I do this by eye, if it feels right it generally is.
Now I am ready to go......
Beautiful Vision, Across the Bridge where Angels Dwell..........Days like This............
So the background is almost complete, it will move and change as the foreground subjects are applied, ( flexibility can be a strength at the right time ). I have to keep moving physically too because it is winter here, there has been snow on the hills since we suffered an early cold snap and I can't have the 'nursery' too hot as the paint dries too quickly.
To keep the creative impetus flowing I have to be a few steps ahead of myself, no easy task. My battles are with myself, ie; losing interest, being distracted, or losing grip of reality- the imagination can sometimes wonder too far and needs to be wound in. I have to apply soft control, like the STRENGTH card, with a touch of THE PAGE ( or Prince as he appears in my Norse Tarot Deck ) of Wands, to lighten it up. It is simply a matter of delicate balance. Lets see what today will bring.............I pulled out The Ace of Swords this morning.....seeing through illusions......using mental force...........finding out what is real......Facing a challenge......(grist to the mill for me)..........I wonder how it will manifest?????..........Watch this space.....................
Nursery2
