OLD CANVASES ARE OPPORTUNITIES

A painting I am unhappy with.

I have a lot of canvases that I am just not happy with.  The above one was mostly an experiment in glazing.  I learned a lot from it, so it was not a waste of time.  

Certain paints are too opaque for the glazing techniques.

The first monochrome layer laid down should have had more time invested.

So, I scrumbled some thined titanium white over it.  Not exactly glazing but the strong primary colors were muted. as well as the ivory black at the edges.

This is the begining of a search for form in this unstructured canvas.

After a little drying, but not enough to prevent mixing, added more thin paint layers.  At this point, the concern about not wasting the canvas fades, and I can really do what I intended.   Ask what happens if I do this and find out.

I rotate the canvas and a cat emerges, more like a dream of a cat.  Not intended; but, I have two in the studio, so they will make it into stream of consciousness efforts like this one.

Anyway, I will stop the post here since the feel of the painting has seriously changed.  I will still work on it.   Funny, when you read history a lot of paintings took years to finish.  I wonder why I expect to finish in hours?

Thoughts on Canvas

Abstract Style

rectangular canvas - reused (old painting peaks through)

muted colors

thick texture over thin layers

Edge painted black using roller, looks finished and can be hung without frame

 

This is a recent effort.  

I like the canvas proportions.  I not sure why.  I just like the effect, it is not as static like most canvas proportions.

It is a reused canvas.  No sense in wasting materials.

Framing is expensive, when done in a manner that preserves the painting.  It's definitely worth the cost; however, its not a option if the money is not there.

So I am looking for maximum effect (finished look) with a minimum of labor.  (Labor is almost always the biggest cost in art and presentation - well everything actually.  Materials are what they are, and can be obtained by barter.)

So the paths open to me are:

• Learn to frame
• Find alternative methods of framing
• Ignore framing

I am sure I am missing something.  Perhaps I should replace the word framing to display or presentation, both of which are more open ended.

Just today's thoughts.

Finished Piece

oil paint on 8 by 10 inch canvas
Study of Brown and White