This week's 'confession' post is from the 'artist' part of me.
For those of you curious about the behind-the-scenes view of an artist... this is my confession..(well, here are a few actually):
1. I hate mixing colours. So I tend to work from pre-existing shades.. often found in my favorite cans of house paint! Eeep... ! This also means I build up lots of layers of acrylic washes to get the colour I'm after.
2. Working on a number of paintings at once is ideal. why? So i can run from one painting to another with the same colour... almost like 'paint-by-number' for me here.
3. I am not schooled.trained.degreed.papered. I never went to art school (tho I once planned to).
I am self-taught. I experiment. mess up. learn. paint again.
4. As a kid - drawing my family.. I always used the green crayon for my dad's beard. Even then I had an eye for colour.
5. I hate pricing my work. There's a strange elitism in the art field that if your art is priced ridiculously high - then its 'worth' buying... I struggle with finding the balance of valuing my work - but still wanting the 'commoner's to have access/afford them! I also wish I could put on price tage "willing to barter" since I love that idea.. but it looks... weird I guess. ;o)
6. I am most inspired by the art of William Turner and Alphonse Mucha. I wish those guys were still alive, and willing to take me under their wing. For now I keep them close is wonderful books.
That's probably enough confessing for one session. Thanks.. I feel better already.
P.S
Please go check out my latest (favorite) works starting this week at Parkhill on Hunter!
Creatively confessing yours,
Mel :o)