When is a Painting Finished?


I recently figured out that if I don't like a painting maybe it's just not finished! Brilliant observation after several years, but it made me wonder if other artists have consciously come to know that or if it's embarrassingly obvious...

The one constant in every piece of art I've created is layers. I love layers. I live to layer. So, it would seem that I would have already come to this conclusion. But I've spent considerable amounts of time working on a piece only to file it with the other shunned canvases. 

I don't know about y'all (ok, I grew up in Upstate New York but I've lived in Kentucky for a hundred years), but does this ring a bell? I mentioned it while in workshop with the fabulous and talented Wan Marsh (at Random Arts in late August) and she looked at me like I'd just informed her that the world is round. 
So, whether or not it's a no-brainer that fact changes the entire process, makes each step less 'brain surgery' and way more rewarding. It also tells that monkey in the mind to shut the hell up and let the process happen. 
I was so grateful I decided to share the 'history' of one of my favorite paintings. 


OK, not a bad start, I see potential...


Um... going anywhere? Like maybe to a better place?


Oh darn, this is looking busy and well, just crappy in general.


Started calming it down and looked for cohesion (any!) Knew it was time to paint over areas I liked but that just didn't work. And once I made peace (ok, let go of control!), I used my hand to cover elements and figure out which parts needed to go, and it wasn't long before the piece was finished. And I love it! 


I keep learning, processing, painting and living with thanks that so many lessons and insights present themselves - better late than never haha. Wan also had sage words about finishing "How do you know it's finished? When you start messing it up!" Brilliant!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject! 

Comments

Sharmon Davidson said…
Patti, I know where you're coming from. If a piece doesn't work, I try to be merciless in what I cover up or take out, even if I love that particular part of it. If it doesn't work with the rest of the piece, it goes! Sometimes I end up covering or re-working almost the entire piece. If I continue to be frustrated with it, I will often just put it aside for a while, and find that a solution may occur while I'm working on something else. Your painting has worked out really well in the end, and I enjoyed seeing all its "ugly duckling" steps in between. Brilliant! xox
September 8, 2016 at 9:51 AM
Unknown said…
I would say that you know it's finished when every time you look at it, you're happy! I enjoyed looking at every stage of it & now know why you love layering so much!! Love to you, my dear friend!! ❤❤ Suzy
September 8, 2016 at 12:02 PM
AZALEA ART PRESS said…
Excellent description/portrayal of process. The art truly is in knowing where to begin and where to stop and to keep on going in between . . . xoxoxo
September 8, 2016 at 12:39 PM
Laura said…
I don't know how to answer that. I guess I usually stop a piece when it looks right. I have taken things too far before(overthinking) and ended up putting things in the to be gesso'd pile. (I have a lot in that pile.) I think they just speak to us and if we listen closely we'll know. :-)
love & blessings
~*~
September 9, 2016 at 2:45 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One World One Heart

Image
When I started this blog in the spring of 2008, I wondered who would read it... and why? Did I have anything to say that would be of interest or invoke a reaction? Offer hope, inspiration, a laugh, maybe the realization that someone else really does know how you feel? Little did I know that I would meet such an incredible wealth of amazing, warm, welcoming creatives, some of whom have become very close friends. I don't like to imagine life without them. I visit some artists who post new work nearly every day. Wow, how I wish. Then there are those, like me, who try to post weekly in the hopes that friends and a few new readers will keep showing up. I get personal and often deviate from art, technique, workshops and such; I guess that comes from being a lifelong writer. There is the occasional trip to the soapbox, dealing with a chronic illness, raising kids, rationalizing the creative endeavors that supersede chores on the to-do list, a bit of poetry... One of the most popular posts...
Read more

Fall Giveaway!

Image
What's your favorite season? Read on, leave a comment and on October 31st I'll pick (randomly, of course) the winner of a seasonal box of goodies. took a walk the other day and yep, the air had that unmistakable chill, unlike a random cold snap in the summer. the leaves turning, bulbs waiting to be planted and roots going dormant for the winter that are felt more than smelled. unlike the triumphant scents of blossoms carried in the limbs of honeysuckle and rose bushes, mimosas and lilies in spring. Cats curled in nooks and tight against porch railings; I believe they, too, know it will soon be time to go inside, aside from the daily foray into the bright slant of sun that is another sign of fall. the pumpkins laugh, already, at the thought of Halloween, a wild night of surprise and celebration in our neighborhood. the mums almost look out of place, the bright color alongside the browning grass... autumn and spring are my favorite seasons, though they are the hardest on those of...
Read more

Patti Edmon Abstract Artist

Image
Patti Edmon Intuitive Abstract Artist   Welcome (website coming soon) and thanks for stopping by!  I live and work with artist Jim Edmon, my husband and partner for 36 years, and my cat Picasso.  My studio is in a renovated attic in a historic brick foursquare in downtown Lexington, Kentucky.  My work is inspired by memory, curiosity and a very vivid imagination, which I failed to understand in childhood. But that's another story. I'm fascinated by color and shape and creating movement on a still surface.  Each painting has a unique history and is made layer by layer with mark, texture and expressions of connection and deep, meaningful emotion. All paintings are for sale (unless otherwise noted) and I'd love to share details, closeup images and answer any questions you might have. Contact info below. I'll be adding more work and updating photos soon, and I'm currently accepting commissions.  Imaginary Landscapes  I've created new work for a solo show t...
Read more