Monday, April 8, 2013

that's how the light gets in


acylic on canvas, 28 x 22
During the course of a great workshop, I am so busy and electric with new ideas and wild energy, I do not stop and really take in what I have done. It makes the post-workshop days feel luxuriously lazy and contemplative.

I just completed "Painting the Figure," a five day workshop with Bill Park. Into the studio, I unloaded my trunk full of art stuff and hundreds of drawings and spread out my 15 paintings. I am excited by what I see. A new notch up in my understanding of the figure and a freer approach to painting.

acylic on BFK, 30 x 22
I enjoy the complexity of the paintings and the layers of exploration and play. I even like the drips! The painting (above) was an exercise in messing up a piece by painting gestures over the top of the subject.

acrylic on canvas, 28 x 22
As I look around at the work I just finished, I feel a sense of new light on a darkly shrouded subject.

Leonard Cohen "Anthem."




5 comments:

SamArtDog said...

Understatement: wow!
L-I-G-H-T
I-T
U-P !!!

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

This group of work is beautiful Katherine. Don't you just love learning !

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Thanks, Sam. It was a great workshop. One of those quiet experiences that totally blows off the top of your head. Thanks for the comment!

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Hi Nancy! I often feel a little sheepish at workshops, since I don't always put into practice what I learned at the last workshop. But, this workshop felt like a graciously opened door. And I was ready to walk through. Yes, I love learning! I look forward to seeing what your time of oil practice brings! Thanks.

Ruth Armitage said...

Hi Katherine,
I just returned from a workshop myself. I love how you describe the feeling of surveying what that immersion has wrought. Beautiful, beautiful work!