Emerging from the Procrastination Tunnel

I don't know what it is. I start off energized and excited about getting a painting started. I love drawing out the image and composing it on the board.

After I do the ground work of the black base, then I block in my color choices. It's all good... in fact, it's fantastic! I'm on a roll... nothing can stop me!

Then, then there is this horrible stage that almost always emerges. It's the real decision making time. What kind of sky? Day? Night? Sunny? Cloudy? How do I want to develop the rocks (because they will reflect the nature of the sky)?

Half of the problem is that I get so enthralled with all my ideas, that I start too many paintings at one time and overwhelm myself. I know this. But I do it every time.

This time I had eight on the go at once (which is not at all unusual). After my inevitable bout of hair pulling and indecision, I had to put four away (their backs to me so I cannot see them - in fact, they are in another room). I will rediscover them after I finish the first bunch of four.

So after a few days of languishing, anaylzing, shrugging and doubting myself, I somehow emerge from this tunnel of procrastination. Although, it doesn't feel like I'm actually procrastinating because I seem to spend a lot of time thinking... thinking, then thinking some more. I'm not quite sure what good it does, but none-the-less, that's what I do "Dream a Little Dream" 18" x 36"

Now, tonight, I have finished these four and will deliver them to Lions Bay Art Gallery on Friday.

"Early One Morning" (left)

24" x 6"

"Quickening of the Nite" (right)

24"x 6"

"Conducting the Symphony of the Sea"
36"x36"

Now, I'm tired. But surely I will begin this process all over again after I finish the other four paintings that were banished earlier to make way for these four.

2nd Stage Paintings - but first...

...but first, I have to share today's accomplishments! I think I made up for Wednesday's delinquency!



I must thank previous days of focused painting, because of course, these three paintings weren't just "whipped up" today.




This red door piece is the commissioned painting that I've been talking about and have been working on for some time. It's called "Un Mercato a Riomaggiore" (the Cinque Terre, Italy) 28"x42". It is similar to one I have painted before, but the client's interior designer, Kathy Renwick from KC Interior Design in Chilliwack, suggested a larger and longer size for her home. It was fun for me to add new scenery to make the work longer.

This tree painting (Oooo how I love them trees!) is titled "Strong, Silent Type" 16"x30" indicating the size and solidity of the cedar. I was recently reading about the giant cedars we have here in BC and some stumps have been measured at 20 feet in diameter! Further north from Vancouver in a small town, a stump has been a post office and people have even lived in them... pretty cool!




The long, thin style of "Reach for the Top" 36"x12" (left) speaks of the height that these cedars can grow to. Not as tall as the Douglas Firs in our forests, but they can still claim amazing heights.














Now, about a couple of paintings in their second stage. I guess you could technically say it's the 4th stage as: 1) I build the framed wood panel; 2) I draw the composition on the board; 3) Outline the drawing, sometimes changing where my pencil lines were with my black mixture; 4) fill in the lines with more black mixture.

I have lightened this photo a little to make it easier to see. Yes... I paint on black... it makes the colour pop out more. If you have read my past blog, it's the image I used from a photo I took sitting under the trees.


A good tip, is not to start you painting on just a plain white background. My preference is black, and because of my style, it's always black. (Unless of course, I'm experimenting trying new techniques). Try a background of red, brown or blue. Try blocking in multiple colours. Try new things!

Starting your work on white doesn't seem to give your painting as much depth and there also seems to be a bit of a mental block when starting on something that's such a pristine, untouched canvas or board.

This is the cedar stump (or tree base):


I'll keep you posted on how the addition of colour comes along!



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