I am squirming and cringing in an attempt to be random and free. The weather has turned cold and wet. I am adding layers of clothes. I am adding layers of paint. The idea was to be spontaneous in the building of the first few layers. Then float an opaque form as the last layer.
“What form is the right form?” I am frustrated at how long it is taking me to answer this question. The emphasis on playing to build up layers is throwing me one curve ball after another. With each new layer comes a long pause as I try to figure out which direction to go next.
…next day…
Learning that random doesn’t happen upon command. But there is a better chance of getting that fluid unsuspected creativity to happen when I go back to drawing forms. It has taken me half the day to journey through my photo references.
My last painting was of a magpie. I really loved the stark blackness of his form. So that has directed me back to the oyster catchers that live on the grass that grows right up to the water and their feeding grounds at low tide.
This is the ref I am using to draw my shapes from:
Here is stage one of applying two bird forms on top of the random crazy layers. Big Fat Oyster Catchers who stand on one foot until we get too close. Then they hop on one foot until the other one can unfold properly. In the end, the random layers have helped to add an interesting backdrop. Right now the background is overpowering the forms. That is where I will pick up from…tomorrow.












