Thursday, June 28, 2007

"Seans Rental"

It will be interesting to get the feedback on this painting.... Another disaster that got saved .........at least its not a frisby. Heres the process of how NOT to paint

Started the painting late after work , and tired.

Used an image I was uninspired by but thought had potential

Used a palette of old paint left over from two days ago.

Put the paint on quickly without a plan and cursed, cryed, tore my robes and put on sack cloth and ashes because the painting was CRAP.

Went to bed, read " The Hope " by Herman Wouk till I calmed down and fell asleep.

Got up at 5:30 stumbled into the kitchen and got coffee stumbled into the studio to see the painting..............still CRAP

Decided I was not going to waste a panel so I grabed a drywall knife and scraped the paint horizontally with allot of pressure (still mad)

Amazingly the image of the shed remained. even the detail on the windows , scraped it again, .. still there......Wow ... looks allot better! Went back in with some more old paint and touched it up a bit......

I'm sure I learned something useful during this whole thing. I don't recommend this process for any serious artist , especially the crying and cursing part , but hey... whatever works... SOLD

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're hysterically funny! Do you realize this is a fabulous painting? It's so moody and mysterious. It's my favorite one on this blog. Geez, when I cry and curse it doesn't get me anywhere!

Robin Weiss said...

I know, I know, usually makes things worse.

Thanks for the encouraging comment!

My friend pointed out to me that these types of paintings are the reason an artist needs to be continually engaged in his work. You never know when these " happy accidents" are going to happen and often enough it takes you by surprise when a painting almost creates itself. But if your not working it won't happen. " As with unrequited love, you'll never know what might have been ".

Derek Gundy said...

Nice job, It's a great painting. Sometimes being "unsatisfied" is what drives the artist to the next level. I know plenty of artists who paint "happily" from one painting to the next, having a great time, and REALLY producing CRAP.

Nel Jansen said...

Thank you, Robin, for the honest and very real way you describe the process. Your work is quite wonderful, and yes, the hokey pokey helps. I love that you write about the struggle.

Chris Ousley said...

Go through this procedure again because this is a good painting. Moody and mysterious to quote Silvina. I am glad you left the power wire in.
Occasionally I let fly a few f-bombs when I paint. !@#$%*!!
That is a fine looking kitty cat down the page.

Robin Weiss said...

Hey Derek! thanks for checking in, you know I'm never satisfied with the level I'm on, My goal is for others to see what I feel about what I see and I don't think I ever, or rarely get it right. But my motto is never give up.

Robin Weiss said...

Thanks Nel! To quote the hokey pokey " Thats what its all about"

So glad although we are engaged in the struggle the victory has been won!

Robin Weiss said...

Thought you might like my cat painting Chris, Thanks for stopping by.

Paintdancer said...

You have the sense of humor I used to have before I moved the Florida and became old, jaded,cynical and hot. I love your blog. It's about the only thing that cracks me up lately. This painting turned out wonderful.It creates an atmosphere whereby I can really picture the rental and the condition that it's in. The scraping goes to show that my teachers' words are true. Get rid of the detail and don't give the viewer too much info. I'm going to go scrape the mess I made last night...

Sharon Henson, Artist said...

It sure worked for you!!!!! I enjoy your blog, your humor, your insight and on yes, your work.

Robin Weiss said...

I feel your pain Maryanne.... Never give up!

BTW your paintings make me think of what the color will be like in heaven. If you get a chance do a search on Akiane.

http://tinyurl.com/yxewot

Robin Weiss said...

Thank you Sharon! Stop in again.

Rhonda Hurwitz said...

lovely outcome...hard to do in this lighting, but you pulled it off wonderfully

Mike said...

Okay already! I am late again, as usual! ;-)

This painting really IS special, Robin. You should thank your lucky scraper! Kidding aside, you probably had the values and colors down good and proper, but indecision with the top layers of paint was what made "crap." Very nice recovery!

I love how you get up, stumble into the studio in the morning and still find crap! I do the same EXACT thing!!!! ;-)

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Would never have guessed that this was such a struggle. I like it.

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

I also feel that if I don't struggle or continue to attempt difficult subject matter,I won't grow.
Nothing worse than painting happily and ignorantly and producing what ultimately could be used as frisbees.

Robin Weiss said...

Thanks Rhonda!


Mike, The scraper is now a part of my paint box. Glad to know I'm not the only stumble bum out there!

Robin Weiss said...

I'm with ya Mary! I don't ever want to settle for mediocrity. There are paintings I have posted on this site that I would never frame for a show. I want to share the struggle , the failures and sucesses with you guys. The encouragement I get and hopefully give keeps me going.