Hi!
Before I get into explaining the two images here, I want to give you an update on the Ebay experiment. The tiny painting I have listed there is ending Saturday, April 3 (tomorrow) at 6am (CDT).
In the first hour or so, two people had a small bidding war going on. Then things went quiet...real quiet, except a few new peeps decided to watch. So it's possible that one or more of them might put in a bid close to the end of the auction, hoping to snag it. I've seen that happen before.
Even if not, it was fun and I plan to do it again soon. Watch or Bid if you want in on the fun.
Ok then, on with the painting in progress.
I came home exhausted the other day from a very intense one day mural project out of state. I kicked my work shoes off and they landed just about like this. The scuff marks, paint splotches, and the worn soles just begged to be painted.
The underpainting helped establish the lights and darks, and I liked how the shoes looked. But I really didn't like the position of the bird. It guides the viewer's eyes right off the canvas. This could be a good thing if it makes a person feel as though the bird is poised to take flight, but it just doesn't feel right to me.
So I painted over it to see how the composition felt without it. I kind of like it. In fact, I'm trying to decide if I just want to leave the bird out or reposition it so it invites the viewer in. I want people to enjoy the painting for more than a fleeting moment.
I want to show that sense of deep gratitude for the satisfying rest we all experience after a long day of rigorous, meaningful work. I'm not quite sure if having a bird there would help communicate that.
If I can figure out a way to include one, I will because that's kinda my thing. But I'm not into just painting pretty pictures, so that can't be the only reason. The bird's presence there has to mean something.
Does any of that make sense?
I'll let you know what I decide next time,
In the meantime, enjoy the sound of birds in spring.
Jan
