Figure Trasitioning

Figure Transitioning, December 2013

Acrylic on masonite, 48"x32"

______It usually takes me a few weeks to realize a painting has met a I conclusion (wise art professor voice: "Ah, but is art ever complete?"). I know that the figure is done as done can be, as is the hair at the left that's slowing being obscured by aqua and lilac, which is actually my favorite part of the painting since I tried a different layering technique which was surprisingly effective. I've been staring at Mr. Untitled Painting for three days, which is too long to be staring at a painting, and so I decided to focus my attention on something else. After coming back to it, I've realized, you know what? It is done. There's no use overworking it.

______Through painting this, I actually scrambled up an idea for another painting exploring the strictly rendered vs. the inherent gestural, and I think I'm going to toy around with that a bit in my next few paintings. I know I need to get looser and more deliberate with my brushstrokes, and I suppose that's why I like the part where the hair transitions the best--because that was so minimal and not harshly rendered, yet it's still a recognizable something.

______Welp, time to build more canvases! Onward!