This painting (16 x 20” gauche on paper) was inspired while sitting next to a lovely cat curled in a tight ball and sleeping. He began to quietly chirp while twitching the tip of his tail and whiskers. It made me wonder what his dream was about.
When working on the painting I was undecided on the dream. After a while I used a technique where random curves and formations are laid down loosely without trying to create anything consciously … I have to work fast before the conscious returns fully. I then stop, walk away, and clean my brushes. Later I return to view the entire image. Patterns and images appear. Here I embellish a little (usually balancing the composition with colors, adding contrast to lighter areas, or pulling out an image).
I also had a moment where my conscious said to keep adding, while the voice of my heart said I don’t need any more and call the work finished. Sometimes it’s not what you include, it’s what you exclude or remove – or as Vincent said:
“Exaggerate the essential, leave the obvious vague.”
Another lesson Art has shown me about life; cut through the static, stories, and fears, then simplify to what is most important.
Musical pairing (for friends struggling):
“I Don’t Need That Anymore”
(Pernice Brothers and Neko Case)
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