"... art, like philosophy, is of its own age. for the partial truths of each age differ from those of other ages, and the artist, like the philosopher, must constantly adjust eternity, as it were, to all the specifications of the moment." Mark Rothko in "The Artist's Reality: Philosophies of Art"
Every January, I sort through my paintings and decide which I will save and frame and which I will recycle. Many go into the recycle pile. It's always interesting to use a recycled panel or piece of paper. The old image remains, sometimes as a ghost, sometimes like a vibrant abstract underpainting. The new painting is influenced by the old painting. It is one way that I "adjust eternity."
Above you see my charcoal drawing for the new painting over the top of a recycled painting. The old painting, a group of roses in front of a brick wall. The new painting, a portrait of my 87 year old father in law.
9 comments:
It's already a cool image. I look forward to seeing where you take it.
I'll be writing about a Rothko I saw in a few days. That is a thoughtful quote you post...I will chew on it.
Thanks, Casey. Looking forward to more about Rothko.
i like this juxtapostion as is, a Lot-layering is already so intriguing-will be interesting to see where it takes you
Hi Jan! I will find out where it leads me as soon as I get back out to the studio! The recycled pieces DO have a lot of depth and interest. Why, oh why, did I ever through my failed paintings away?!
I like what I see, the juxaposition of the two are grand as is, do follow up. And thanks for the nudge not to be so quick to trash my "failures."
Hi Cindy and thanks for stopping in! One of my friends wants to stake out a spot in the studio to "save" paintings that I consider failures. She agrees, usually, that the new painting is leaps ahead of the old one. I am the boss of the studio. If I say it's a failure, it is. But the new painting...
I'm looking forward to seeing the portrait Katherine!
This is one of your best ever in my humble opinion I just love this.
Hi Joni and Ralph and thanks for your comments about the painting! Its promise proved to be greater than my handling of its delivery. Alas.
Post a Comment