Looking back over the years, I realize how much the different mediums I have used have affected my current creative approach to painting. Each step along the path to creativity, each problem solved, each challenge met have all formed me as the artist I am today. I want to share these experiences so that other artists may benefit if they choose.
NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS INSPIRED MY WORK
Today I spent hours working on a large canvas with the new, slow-drying Open acrylics and had an exciting time adding color, re-working areas, changing the composition, weaving colors across the canvas, sanding some textures down – all with the confidence that I will end up with a painting that I love.
If these new acrylics had been available to me when I had to give up my first love – oils, it would have made life so much easier, but maybe not so interesting as meeting all the challenges over the years.
AN AWAKENING
I loved oils – loved the smell and the feel of them, worked with lots of thinned washes of color and ended the day tired, but excited over the results. After years of this, and a headache to start each day, I began to realize that I was getting sick on fumes. It was a tremendous blow because I was having shows and my work was selling well and I was so happy with what I was doing. After struggling to paint without thinners and oil mediums, I realized that I had to reinvent myself as a water media artist.
CHANGES CAN INSPIRE TOO
Exploring with new mediums and techniques since then has evolved into a constant flow of creativity and a personal philosophy on how to solve each problem. After 50 years of painting, I still start each painting with anticipation, enjoy the entire process of creation and complete it with satisfaction.
Joan, I am so excited about your blog. I look forward to learning about your creative process. You inspire me!
Joan, your ‘studio in the woods’ looks like an inspiring place to create your masterpieces! Is that one of them in the doorway? Beautiful!