Over the fields |
Last week I mentioned I had started a commission which I'm not ready to share yet as I’m still
working on it but instead a new piece which I have just finished. I like to work on many pieces at once, each at various stages of readiness.
This way when a piece
isn’t working I can leave it. Often pieces need room to breathe before I decide
if they are finished. I leave them for a
day or two, sometimes longer. When I look again with fresh eyes I know what
needs to be done to finish them. Sometimes
it’s a splash of a complementary colour, sometimes a tweak in the
composition. Collage is great in that
paper can be layered over surfaces if things are not working, it’s an intuitive
process and it’s very hard to explain why I know when something is wrong and
when I know something is right. It can take a short time, it can sometimes take
longer. Often the pieces which I have to battle with are my favourites.
When the painting stops grumbling at me it is ready to go on its way.
At the same time as I was working on the little wooden panels
i posted last week I was working on a
similar larger canvas.
I used similar colours and fields of Thistle like flowers which blanketed the hillside during the Summer months.
I think this is knapweed, my thistly inspiration. |
I liked all the textures and papers but spend ages
deliberating on the size of the wee house on the hill. If you look at this shot
you can see it has been painted out and in several times!
The finished house |
After several days rest I returned to the little house and
knew what size it should be....
It has stopped grumbling at me and can be seen at Skyeworks
gallery in Portree on the Isle of Skye
As a regular visitor to your blog I remember you feeling uncertain about the little houses in past works. It's funny how we have our little niggles about things. Your houses always fit in great with your compositions in the finished pieces. I love the quilted effect on the hills it is very effective.
ReplyDeleteI just love this piece Morag, and could spend ages looking at it, all those fields with their different colours and textures, it's perfect!
ReplyDeleteThis piece reminds me of a quilt. What a fun piece. Blessings, Janet PPF
ReplyDeleteThe patchwork fields look wonderful here and the little house looks just right.
ReplyDeleteLovely textured piece Morag. This is really charming...a sort of idealized country view where the sun always shines.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I ever let my art breathe. I go at it like a maniac and then I am finished when I can't stand to look at it any longer.
I love your quilt like piece. Beautiful colors.
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF ♥
Love the thistles in your art. Sometimes I let my stuff breathe and then go back and fix it, like you do. Other times it seems finished when I lay down the brush. Your art is always so beautiful and I look forward to getting a peek at the commissioned piece.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love to click and enlarge your work to study the beautiful details...even the little house has texture. Gorgeous piece...I am the same about art journaling... I leave it and return to pages...some get a wash over and others get completed..but yes the paint does dictate what happens...and when.
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
great piece!! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteI'm learning the art of letting a piece breathe. it is an art within itself as I prefer to finish what I start in one setting. I admire the quilt-like texture of the hill. Mostly I love the color and texture of the thistles in the foreground.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about working on several paintings at the same time in various stages and about the grumbling. Well said. This turned out just right. You foun exactly what to do to make it perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful textures and colors.
ReplyDeleteI love your color-sense. Love the texture and variety of sizes.
ReplyDeleteMorag this really is a beautiful piece, I know I say that for every piece you show, but I think this has something extra special, I could gaze for ages at the different textures and patterns of the fields with the beautiful flowers and patches of fresh green grass, I love that light green. I also love that little peaceful house in the distance on the top of the hill, such a peaceful and beautiful piece of art, a real favourite for sure!
ReplyDelete