Stumbling into 2023

 

As yet untitled, oil on canvas, 60 x 50cms, 2023

I move into 2023 with some difficulty with my painting. I spent the Christmas break in and out the studio working on a painting that I eventually took a big turpsy brush to and wiped off (well, my daughter did this much to her delight as she was there in the studio when I made the decision to do this. Whenever she comes in now, she tells me what I am doing is not very good and can she wipe it off…?). I had also wiped 2 more paintings off prior to this, just not thinking they were good enough, or necessary either. It’s a bit frustrating but not that big a deal either. After all, I have just had a good run during the time off from work I’ve had and made what I think are 10 strong paintings, so it feels healthy to stumble and drop the ball. I get more suspicious when it’s going so well. 

a painting now wiped off by my lovely daughter, studio shot 

 I have also worked on the painting at the top of this post over several difficult sessions, based on a photograph taken in my local Lidl car park on a foggy night. I nearly abandoned this too but ended up wrestling it to the ground by forgetting the references to Lidl etc and exploring the painting through a more formal lens involving colour and the abstract shapes in the composition. This was enjoyable and was partially informed by looking at the collages of artist, Ken Kewley and reading his ‘Notes on Colour’. This freed up my thinking a bit and took things off in a different direction. It’s sits now as a slightly awkward, clumsy painting but also one that makes some sort of formal sense I’m pleased with. It possesses that feeling I think most painters are striving for when it stands on its own apart from you with its own strong presence and energy. With that in mind, I’m happy to leave it at that. 

A new year...

 

'The Lighted Window', oil on canvas, 80 x 100cms, 2022

Happy New Year. 

Well, I haven’t done any portraits or still lives since the last post, but I have been busy making some new larger paintings, either based directly on some of the small studies I spent a few weeks working on in the six weeks following my operation or inspired by some of the ideas that came out of the process of making them. This has particularly been the case when it came to developing a braver and more creative use of colour. It’s been great to be independent again as my foot has healed, and I’ve now returned to work.

'The Cut IV', oil on canvas, 120 x 180cms, 2022

The paintings, 10 so far, are quite varied, and I think making the smaller works has really helped me have a clearer idea on what I want to do and work with renewed focus. It has also helped massively to be able to just have the time to paint, without trying to fit it all in around work. I’ve felt much more relaxed than I have in years, and I think the paintings reflect this and look much more confident. I became conscious as we headed into December that this period was nearing an end as I would be returning to work in January, and I felt sad about this. I’m never going to be able to make a living from my painting practice, but I do wish I could free up more time for it, but also for myself and teach less. This time off has been good for my mental well-being as much as it has allowed the time needed to recover my physical health. But still, this time off has made me reflect on these issues and I’m thinking more seriously how I can make this happen, or at least hold on to some of the things I’ve enjoyed over the last 3 months and how I prioritise and spend my time.  

'On The Corner', oil on canvas, 60 x 60cms, 2022

As I head into 2023, I’m pleased to say I’ve got another couple of large exhibitions coming up next year as well as a piece, ‘The Turn Of The Tide’, in the Worcester Open 23 (Climate Change Edition) at The Art House, Worcester. I also have another one at the exhibition space at Malvern Library café, which I really enjoyed showing last year, and another with my artist friend, Andrew Smith at The Hive, the large exhibition space at the University of Worcester library. Both of these exhibitions will focus on my ongoing series of ‘Night Walk’ paintings.