August 23, 2023
I posted a cropped detail of my most recent painting on IG last week, and it reminded me that it is fun to go looking for composition inspiration in my paintings.
I began by pulling up photos of recent paintings, cropping the photos to the edges of the paintings, and then using the cropping function to find smaller sections of the painting that make interesting compositions.
I then printed those cropped sections and cut them out and put my favorites in my sketchbook. I also made short notes to myself about what I particularly liked about each composition.
What I notice is how much simpler these compositions are than the compositions in most of my paintings. I love this simplicity, but I think a part of me is afraid it is not “enough” somehow. Something to journal about in my sketchbook!
Prompts for the Week:
Are you chasing simplicity or complexity in your work? Or do you feel you have reached a balance between the two? How do these forces work together in your painting?
Play with pattern. Devote a page to a single pattern. How does that feel? Do you like it, or does it frustrate you? Do your feelings about the pattern change as you spend more time making it? Make several pages, each with its own pattern. What do you notice?
I am about to show my work in a three day, outdoor show. If you have done outdoor tent shows, do you have any tips and tricks? I would love to hear them!