Work in Progress
33January 9, 2021 by petrujviljoen
A pond of water pulsing. The life source.
« ATCs
petrujviljoen
art, writing, reading
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petrujviljoen 
Painting again? Good. Reminds me of the expressionist “Die Windsbraut” by Kokoschka. As good as Cecily Brown abstracts that go for 50,000 USD and up!
Thanks Howard! I was hoping you’d clock in. First attempt at working in the span of a year plus.
Keep at it! Work a couple at one time. That way you’ll have something to do while waiting for the paint to dry enough to glaze and scumble. If you are one of those alla prima types, ignore that and just set sometime each day to work.
I painted 30 canvases in 2019 when I gave up digital art making as a cleansing operation in honor of being officially retired.
Then I got impatient—my ideas seemed to lack sufficient energy to stick around long enough to paint. I fell back in to cranking out photoshops like I did when I worked for a living. Now a year later I remember the good feeling of the physicality of painting and I want to try to find a balance between the quick and the messy.
There is a moment in a play called, “Red” where the main character, artist Mark Rothko determines that he will never be a “mantle” artist — the kind of painter who sells “genuine” Rothkos to the chic and prosperous so they can hang them over their mantles and brag to their assembled adoring horde. It’s a brilliant read.
You have — either completed or in process — a work of art that has caused me to stop and comment; something I rarely do with art. As a former failed painter/sketcher I can only say that you have art.
I hope that answers your question.
Charley, this means so much to me. It’s the first painting I attempted in more than a year and mistrusted it/myself. Thanks so much. The urge to work became stronger than the malaise. I wish the same for you. A failed artist … I know the feeling very well!!
I feel it is a myth in process of forming itself and developing its story.
Spot on Claudia! It’s what I arrived as well. I’ve taken pics of the process and there’s one stage I could’ve left it at and regretted carrying on. The thought came up: if I stopped by then, I would’ve cheated myself out of a process.
Yes. And more and more, the process is the purpose and the reward, more than the outcome. At least I am finding that these days.
True!
Alive! (K)
Indeed! I can’t resist adding: now what?
You’ll find out!
Ha ha ha!! Wonderful.
Before I scrolled down and saw your words at the bottom, I saw souls swimming in the sea of living. I saw joy. I thought, ‘Stunning.’ Just first impressions. Like poetry and music, subjective. Allow it to be what each one sees. I look forward to the moment when you declare it is finished, knowing that, like most artists, you will never stand in that moment.
Very pleased with your response! Glad I put it out there. I added the bit of writing some time after I posted the painting and perhaps should’ve left it so not to influence people’s responses. Anyway. I truly doubted it from time to time.
Sorry toos – passionate brush strokes!
Wow – it’s impressive. I like the psionate btush strokes
Passionate brush strokes … doesn’t feel that way when I’m at it.
It looks very expressionist – my mother was an expressionist painter. She often painted in a kind of frenzy. Maybe I’m projecting and imagining you paint like that too.
Thanks Suzanne! No projecting I,’m sure. Any sign of my atc arriving by you?
No at yet. Aus post is really slow somettimes now because of all the online shopping we did during our 2nd lockdown. A nation of shopaholics!
Sigh!
It’s definitely interesting, and yes, it is also art.
🤦🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️
I love it! I can’t wait to see the finished product, Petru!
Thanks trE. I”d also like to see how this one will look like at the end of the work process!
You’re quite welcome!
I have a live/hate relationship with it. Think it’s new agey shallow nonsense one moment and next I can’t help but carry on working hoping something will come of it.
I think you’ll like the end-result. You’re being too much of an artist right now–overly critical of your own work. ❤
Ha ha ha!! Too much of an artist! Really funny!
😀
Yes, absolutely.
🙏🏻 thank you!