what adds up

7 x 7, pastel and gouache on paper

7 x 7, charcoal and gouache on paper

working out an idea

There are many roads that lead to successful abstract paintings. I have been playing with some shapes and ideas, some colors and designs to move things out of a literal place in my mind. It's like an inchworm who no longer needs to measure marigolds, don't you think?

And, it's like I think I know the song, "Inchworm," and then Patricia Barber shows me I know nothing! What do you think?

work for it

Started with six variations of the lamp post composition. It was interesting to see the differing effects I got by moving the lamp post left and right and center. 

In the center, the lamp post took on the look of O'Keeffe's skyscrapers or Lawren Harris' lighthouse. 

Look here to see a great video about Harris, one of the excellent Canadian Group of Seven painters.