Cowboy study, oil on paper, about 12x12
Oh man, I've been in the worst painting slump of my life. For some reason, it's like I forgot how to paint, and everything I've started lately has been scraped down, or thrown away in a fit of despair.
Yes, despair. That's the correct adjective for how I feel. I tell myself that my standards have gone up and that's why I am not happy with anything I do, but honestly, what's coming off my brush is just pretty awful.
So why am I posting this painting. It's obviously not a finished work, or anything particularly special. Well, I am posting it because:
1. I haven't posted anything in so long it seemed like I should try to get something out there.
2. This was an attempt to just have fun painting, with no goal other than to.. have fun.
3. I did have fun with it.
On the advise of a friend, and because i know it to be true, I put away all "serious" painting, and picked something I like, set a short time goal (this was about an hour and a half), found a scrap of cheap canvas paper (REALLY no pressure because it was even a USED piece of cheap canvas paper), picked up ONE brush, and went to work. No drawing, I just sort of blocked in the basic shape of the cowboy and horse, and then did as much negative painting as anything, painting background into anything that wasn't horse or rider.
I do like painting horses, and so if I need to get back into my comfort zone, this is a good subject for me.
Moral of the story? If you're struggling these days, painting something that either just appeals to you for whatever reason, or painting something that you KNOW you can paint easily, is a good place to start. No pressure.
Sometimes its good to just finish something, even if it isn't world class art . Doing so might unblock the creative flow. Or it might just give you a break from the feeling of "failure". I might not be out of my slump, but I was smiling today with a paintbrush in my hand, and that hasn't happened for awhile.
Hmmm... I wonder what other cowboy photo references I have on file?
3 comments:
WOW-WOW-WOW!!!! YOU SHOULD GO INTO A FUNK MORE OFTEN :>)
THIS IS GREAT - OF COURSE I LOVE THE LOOSENESS OF IT AND THE PALETTE IS SPOT ON! BRAVO!!!!
OK - NOW CHARGE FORWARD ONWARD AND UPWARD - AND DO SME MORE LOOSE ONES LIKE THIS - GREAT STUFF!!!!
I agree with J.R. Deb, this really is a lovely loose piece! I also agree it must be that your standards are higher- you know I am struggling to find a comfort level, and would be happy to be able to easily model people and horses as well as this. This being so quick proves how innate your color and drawing skills are. You can be hard on yourself if you need to be, but spend a minute realizing your skill level, it really is impressive! Go out and run with pride!
I too was in a bad slump this past few months. I decided to forge ahead and paint some small (6x6)canvases so I could move on quickly. It helped alot. I am happier with my painting. You are a fabulous painter and I believe even the best have their bad days. Keep painting!
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