Late evening tulips
Acrylic on birch panel
12 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2014
Last month I painted 31 paintings. It made mefeel terrific. Some of them were complete,
and others like this painting of tulips I'm showing
you tonight were started, but not finished.
It's great to get into a rhythm of turning work
out quickly. It feels amazing, but it's also good
to slow down, take a second, third and fourth
look and push the work to where it wants to
go. This painting is almost there. When it
asked for more time, and then some more,
and maybe even now more. I listened.
The title is a quote from a former dance
teacher of mine, Theresa Kowall teaching
us how to do a jazz dance. I loved the
sound of her voice and the feeling of the
movement of the quick step, and the slow,
sliding step.
Sooo fun.
Have an enjoying-the-dance-of-art day.
Gorgeous painting. Just what we need on these cold wintry days. Very well said re quick and slow. Working towards a show coming up soon, I find that the quick is taking over and my work is affected by it. We need the time to take it slow, be methodical and take two or three more looks when needed. I've let the stress of producing take over and the atmosphere in my studio is less experimental and fun. Can't wait to get back to quick quick, slooow slooow!
ReplyDeleteSince I seem to becoming quicker and quicker myself, thanks to our whiz bang dash digital age, I’m very much partial to slooow and would love to reverse the order to slow, slow, quick. Cool. Those tulips are bursting with energy. Marvelous.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Marcia
Hi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. On the other hand I know some of my best work comes from the pressure of an upcoming show. The balance is a fine one, between spontaneity, and over thinking. I always love your paintings, so I think you manage your work perfectly.
XOXOXO Barbara
Hi Marcia,
ReplyDeleteBut here's the interesting thing -- the digital age makes us work. Without it I might just settle down with my book and produce work when I "felt like it." What if that time never came? Possible. I love what you're doing. And I think all the time of Twyla Tharp, who said more or less that we just have to do it, work consistently.
XOXOXO Barbara
This is such a glorious shot of colour and energy. Perfect for a winter day. Love it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting Barbara. You're right, it's good to take things slow sometimes
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteMiss talking to you. Must get to you next week. Thank you so much. I am happy with it, and ready for spring!
Love your work.
XOXOXOXO Barbara
Hi Sally,
ReplyDeleteSometimes I just have to think. Right now I am painting, but thinking deeply about what to paint next. Large paintings. I am just not sure what they will be of.
Take care,
Happy Valentines Day,
Love your work.
XOXOXOXO Barbara