Thursday, March 24, 2011

Artwork in Progress

Here is a photo collage of my work in progress, if you want to see the details just click to enlarge image.Below are images that I will explain where I am at with this mixed media acrylic painting.


This image is showing the detail of the papers mixed in for layers and texture of the hair below shows hair prior to layering of papers.


From this point I felt my  painting needing spaces filled with textures. You can see in the image below that I have layered more papers onto the canvas.


Here is where I am working with charcoal  pencil to the background over layers of paint and papers.


I am being brave and showing you this. Here I am unhappy with the eye, but working on the background.

First adding elements of paint that is very wet and dripping I go on to morph it some more with inks and changing  the eye and other aspects of the painting. The third image in the photo collage at the top of the post shows you part of the end results. I will post more for you to see later. Honestly I don't know that I am in love with this painting but I can tell you there were many times I almost stopped, just not knowing where to go but then I would just say to myself. OK, what is the worst thing that could happen? You just paint over the whole canvas. So push on and experiment!
I must say I had to grab Sammie as my model for the side view of the eye and nose. Try getting an 8yr old to sit still while her friends are waiting online for her to take a turn in a magical land of games that she loves to create creatures and play in! It was short lived but helped.
I almost was going to post what some of my day looks like with photos, but I have to organize, re-size and upload so maybe in a week or so.
Do you ever find yourself just not in love with something you made? Do you keep pushing on?

Creativity can be described as letting go of certainties. ~ Gail Sheehy

38 comments:

  1. Hi Theresa;
    Oh this has great depth to it. I love the layers you have added with the papers. I know what you mean about using your kidlets for models, I use my boys all the time! LOL!
    There are many things I create that I just don't like! I tend to put it away for awhile and go back to it at a later date. Some, I never go back to.
    But I am really liking the way this painting is turning out Thersa, I hope you continue on with it!
    Hugs and blessings.

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  2. I think it's part of the process...the idea is there and we think we've got it - only to look and see that no, not quite. Usually I will stay with it, or try to transform it, but if it's not coming together I accept that it wasn't meant to come together. I then abandon that idea and move on to another project. Sometimes I can return to the original with a fresh eye but often I just cover over and start again.

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  3. Gorgeous work!! I love the color energies to this piece..and she is very beautiful..such a shining soul wiht joyfulness....the color palette feel so uplifting and i feel a sense of movement and journeying..like flying...love it!! Happy you shared it..beautiful!
    Hugs
    Victoria

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  4. Stunning work Theresa! I love the delicate layers in her hair and the colors are just perfect!

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  5. Love the texture and movement. Excellent step by step process. Her hair is awesome.

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  6. Theresa, I think this looks great. The color combination of the purples and yellows is fantastic as is the texture added by the layers of decorative papers. Can't wait to see the end product.

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  7. It's hard to walk away when you have invested so much of yourself in a piece of art. But some times you need to break away from it....do something else...then go back with fesh eyes.
    I do like what you have done so far. Thank you for sharing the process

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  8. I really like this piece. It has a wonderful whimsical quality to it with the soft pastel shades you've used and i absolutely love the texture you've created by adding layers of paper. This has inspired me to try mixed media more (maybe once i finally finish my fisrt oil painting!) don't give up on this-it's wonderful.

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  9. Love your work. The textures really added to this piece. Experimenting is fun and like you said, it's only paint and you can always start over. With my watercolor I've learned that almost any thing I don't like can be fixed.

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  10. Love your color scheme! Amazing depth and texture. GREAT before and after of the hair...WOW!

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  11. I love this painting and the layers. It is sometimes hard to see what others see in our art. I often do not like what I create but do push on. I have been surprised on many occasions when art I didn't like well was better received than the creations I loved.

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  12. Love what you're doing here. The hair is really something special, great technique

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  13. I love that you show your creative process! It's fascinating to me. Thank you! This is a beautiful piece you have going on. I love your colors and the textures. In answer to your question, YES I often push myself to go on when I'm not in love with my work. Usually it pays off! ;)

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  14. I love the texture of this one! You know the funny thing about artists is that they are their own worst critics. Many times I absolutely detest something I have done and then I find that it is the very piece that others like the best!!! Go figure. So you are right, keep on going no matter how bad you think something is, and you may find in the end it is pretty darn good! :-)

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  15. I love where you are going with this and I totally get how hard it is to share a WIP that's not done yet ;) That angle of profile is probably one of the hardest to capture, and the hair is wonderful with all the texture you added.
    For me, a lot of times I have to put a piece aside for a day or so to figure out where I WANT to go with it. When I keep adding and adding, it usually becomes a disaster!
    And yes, there are many times I'm not in love with my work, but again, I find when I put it away for a bit and then take a fresh look, I can decide what I need to do to finish it OR, even better, that I do love it now!
    Happy PPF!
    Stephanie

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  16. So great you could come to the party Theresa! This is amazing so far! I love the texture and the colours. I don't think I'm ever in love with a piece until it is done and this time is no different with my WIP.

    You have a great attitude - experiment and in worst case paint over. I love it! And I'm loving this.

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  17. Gosh, it's great to see the texture you have created in the hair.

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  18. You've made a painting that looks like a "dream"! That is too cool.

    I often fall in love with my paintings, but I'm kind of a ho about it -- I declare my love and before I know it, I'm bored of looking at it and move on to something new. ;)

    Happy Paint Party Friday!

    Charlie

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  19. Loved seeing the steps. :-) lol And I really didn't see an issue with the mouth. We're always our worst critics aren't we? Love, love, love the background after it was worked-out. Totally changed the feel of it.

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  20. Thank you all for your lovely comments and cheering me on! I promise to post more photographs. I agree Kate we can be our worst critics! I appreciate all the love on the textures for her hair. Happy Paint Party Friday Everyone! * link in resources if you want to join in. I love all the support from our online art community! Happy seeing all my lovely blog friends too. Off to visit~ Do drop by anytime.
    ~Theresa

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  21. I'm loving the colors, layers (the hair's wonderful!), and the eyelashes!

    I'm also enjoying how you've taken us through the process. One day I may get brave and do the same. :)

    Have fun at the party!!

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  22. I agree, I really like the colors, here too - and her lips and hair. Thanks for sharing the process, too! happy friday - nice to see you over at PPF

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  23. Such beautiful colors !!!! Love the background !

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  24. The textures in this are amazing! I'm so glad you pushed through... I'm looking forward to seeing more :)

    xo
    Kristin

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  25. I absolutely love the colours AND the texture...so yummmmy! And I have to say how brave it is to show something that you are not happy with...we are so often our worst critic...i think its looking great! :)

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  26. Yes, keep going--I love what you've done with the texture and layers. Great process too!

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  27. Its quite beautiful. I think you should continue with it. Check out google images for photos of girls profiles to get a reference for shape of eye...much easier than a moving target, lol! Kathryn

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  28. The texture you have achieved with the hair is good quality. When a job is dificult, is good to stop a time,and then comes the solution by magic. Saludos desde España

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  29. It's always worse before it gets better...at least that's my experiance. I love what you have so far...profiles are difficult and you are doing great! Happy Weekend, xox

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  30. The colors and texture are great! Never give up on a piece. Some of the best pieces I have felt like that in the beginning! Keep on going! I can't wait to see it finished.

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  31. Oh how I love thee! The colors and the texture are just beautiful. I think the eye looks fine :D

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  32. Great! I love the step by step layering processes.

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  33. oh my goodness it looks great! i love the colors!

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  34. All the layers, pieces and parts will come together in the end. It's looking great, keep on going! Thanks for stopping by to visit me! ;-)

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  35. Thanks all my PPF Friends and blogger friends for taking the time to drop by & leave me such lovely comments, words of encouragement.... Have a creative & lovely weekend. ~Theresa

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  36. What a lovely piece and the hair....gorgeous, almost flying out from the out of the canvas.I think when you look at this you want her hair...haha! Look forward to seeing it completed.
    Annabelle >^..^<

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  37. Hi Annabelle, Thanks for visiting and your lovely comment. Theresa

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