Continuing my pretend interview, here is question #2: Which is your favourite painting?

I get excited about all my paintings and I like them all; if I didn%92t, I would simply continue working on them until I did. So generally, my favourite painting is my last painting.

Each painting is a new adventure. I don%92t have a set plan when I start. I start by applying texture to the surface and work from there. I have to work through several steps, work out problems, constantly evaluating what I%92ve done so far and where the painting is going. I continuously have to make decisions about the colors, the composition, the direction the painting is taking.

Because this is such an exploratory way of working, I often have to take a step back, sometimes a drastic step. I may have to paint over a large area, or even the whole painting with gesso, either beige or black gesso, and change directions.

Don%92t forget that the underlying texture is always there and is the heart of the painting. When I paint over an area, I don%92t usually completely cover the previous layer; I try to leave little bits showing, as they will add interest to the work later.

There always seems to be a point, usually about three quarters of the way, when I start to feel that the painting is not working and I don%92t like it. I continue working and making adjustments until somehow it all comes together and I begin to really like it. In the end, a few final touches seem to really bring it to life. Like the icing on the cake.

So, to answer the question, my favourite painting is my last painting because that is the one I am the most invested in. As I start my next one, and reach the stage where it really is coming together and I feel pleased with myself, then that one will become my new favourite.

How about you? Which is YOUR favourite painting? How about posting a link to your favourite?

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."     (Scott Adams)

Suzette

I read somewhere that to help you talk and write about yourself and your work, and to come up with a better artist%92s statement, it helps to pretend that someone is interviewing you. Ask the questions, and then answer them.

So here is pretend interview question #1:

How did you get started painting?

For me, it was a cute little blue elephant. OK, let me explain. My brother went through a painful divorce. He took lessons and started painting. His first painting was this little blue elephant; I just fell in love with it. He showed me his work, which is surreal in style and spoke at length on the meaning of each painting. He was clearly passionate about it. I became fascinated with this form of expression. I went home and enrolled in painting classes, and that was my start. That was 15 years ago.

I didn%92t have art when I was going to school. I had never been exposed to the works of the masters, or contemporary art. I was completely oblivious. But seeing my brother%92s excitement and passion made me want to try it.

It took a few years to gain a little proficiency and to become serious about painting. I started having a little success painting flowers. Things improved when I switched to acrylics, which for me, seem to be the perfect medium. Eventually, I gravitated towards more abstract and contemporary work. Not having to worry about being realistic was immensely freeing and really opened the doors to creativity for me.

Today, I am very grateful that I discovered painting. I am still sadly lacking in art history, but I have learned a lot of the craft of painting and cannot imagine not having this passion in my life. Painting is enriching and fulfilling.

How did you get started painting? Share your story by clicking on %92Comments%92 below.

“Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.”     (George Bernard Shaw)

Suzette

I thought I%92d follow up my earlier blog about humour with some examples of things I find funny. I just came across these this morning and had a good laugh; they were apparently taken from actual high school essays. I hope you enjoy them.

Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.

His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.

Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.

He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.

The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

Let me know which one is your favourite.

Suzette

I came across today%92s title somewhere, and I loved it. Thought it was very funny.

Humour! I love people who are funny. I wish I could be funnier. Don%92t get me wrong, I do have (in my opinion) a good sense of humour, even quirky sometimes. My problem is that it takes me a long time until I can get loose enough to let my quirkiness come through. When I first meet new people, I%92m all business. I%92m serious and to the point. I don%92t know how to be playful right off the bat. It%92s only after I%92ve known someone for a while on a more personal level that I can start to let my quirky side show.

It%92s not about telling jokes either; I enjoy a good joke occasionally, but generally I don%92t care for people who tell jokes all the time. It%92s more about seeing the funny side in everyday situations. I have a good friend who%92s really good at this. She shines in social situations where she doesn%92t know people well. Instead of being uncomfortable, as I would be, she becomes the life of the party; she%92s able to see the humour in whatever situation she%92s in and she%92s able to express it and make others laugh. She%92s able to put a twist on whatever story she%92s telling and make it even funnier. What a gift.

I%92d like to improve that side of myself but honestly, I don%92t know how. Just keep telling myself not to take things so seriously, I suppose. Try to remember to relax and be myself. I guess I could always try to imagine what the other person looks like in his or her underwear ...... (does that really work....?).

One thing I%92ve noticed about humour, is that things always seem funnier when you%92re sharing the experience with someone else. %92Funny%92 is contagious. A shared laugh is always a better laugh.

I guess we can%92t all be funny. We all have different gifts. Some of us are funny, some of us are good looking, some of us are smart, etc. etc. I guess the trick is to find out where you fit in, what your special gift is.

Your comments are always welcome.

Suzette

"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup." (seen on a bumper sticker)