An Acrylic Painting in Progress: Ideas and Insights

'The Deluge,' stage 1, acrylic on canvas, 70 x 50 cm

As a second post today I'm posting another canvas I'm currently working on. I began from marks (above) which were not planned but I had been thinking about the chaos and sadness of the world, in particular the explosions over Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. I wanted to paint about a deluge but with light appearing over the distant mountains. Rivers, waterfalls and mountains often are a source of material for me though I tend to use them partly as metaphors for human existence or as shapes to build an idea upon.

In the second stage, below, I have begun tweaking elements and introducing more light. While the other painting, 'Coastal Poem,' posted earlier today, went through many changes before I began to find a form for my ideas, (and the ideas evolved while painting), this one seemed to take on a form quite early on and I have not strayed too far from that composition. I decided to modulate the tones and brightness of certain colours to see if it helped the meaning and composition and consequently the painting has become brighter. 

When I paint I like to think about the sources of my ideas and mark making. I don't want to know too much or else it could become a formula, but I'm always sifting through and trying to widen my approaches, while concentrating also on paint itself and what magic it can create. 

'The Deluge,' stage 2, acrylic on canvas, 70 x 50 cm

To be continued!

Inspired by a Visit to Cyprus

''Coastal Poem: Night, Day,' acrylic on canvas, 50 x 60 cm

It's been a while since I have posted anything on this blog. My posting was cut in to by a visit to Cyprus. I went to see my sister-in-law and visited my mother-in-law's grave as she died in February, just a few days before the 1st anniversary of my mother's passing. It was my second visit to Cyprus this year.

New imagery from a change of environment always forces its way in to your imagination, whether you want this or not. Since my return, I have begun work on 5 new canvases and naturally some Cyprus elements have begun to appear if only in the intensity of colour and light. 

Cyprus inspired acrylic on paper

I'm still working on the waterfall painting which I posted in March and I find that working on more than one painting allows a rhythm to be set up and elements cross-pollinate between paintings. Also, I feel less pressurised about any one painting so become braver in making changes!

Creating and maintaining an artistic rhythm is so important to being an artist. As a student you have all day in the studio to focus on and develop ideas but out in the 'real' world that time often has to be fought for. Right now I'm fitting painting in between rearranging an entire flat - necessary because my mother lived with my husband and me and there are all her belongings to sort through - and also I'm finally sorting through numerous canvases and doing a kind of artistic 'stock-taking.'

'Paphos Lighthouse Remembered,' acrylic on watercolour paper (painted in Nicosia, March)

I will post more paintings very soon as they are finished.