Yesterday I completed "Spread your Wings ", acrylic on canvas 30" x 30" x .75". Not happy with the previous version which had to many bird-like shapes. Somehow those bird shapes are better but still slightly visible hence the title.
This is the thought process behind my abstract painting of "No Place to Go". First I started with a cut piece of Arches 140 pound Cold press paper from a roll 35" x 35" and taped the edges with 1" tape on both sides to give the paper some body and a clean edge. I then painted one side with 2 coats of white gesso and allowed it to dry. I started with no thought or idea in mind but just made random marks on the white paper. After 2 hours this is what I had.
At this point I usually like to step back and take a look. I call this my "marinating time". After flipping the paper to view on all sides I ended up liking the painting this way.
I suddenly saw a girl from the back, bent over, with 2 legs, one with a striped stocking. I added two arms and another striped stocking on the other leg to show she was pulling up her stocking. Maybe she is getting dressed?
I added a little red hair in the upper right corner and the leopard scarf. She was getting dressed ! In case you are having trouble visualizing what I saw I labelled the parts.
Next I added a few darks and decided the line in the rear end was too dark (and obvious) so I removed it. From a design aspect the large blank area between her legs needed something so I added the end of the leopard scarf.
I also added the blue (aqua swirl) to the background. So here she was, a young girl getting all dressed up (especially when she put on that leopard scarf) with "No Place to Go" . This is the final painting and one of my personal favorites.
After a critique I put the line back in her pants.
