Resolutions Revisited

Like that diet that doesn’t seem to survive the first ice cream opportunity of the new year, I am throwing over one of my art resolutions, effective immediately.

OK, it probably was silly to think I would/could/should become an abstract painter. But I’ve given it two painting sessions – two whole sessions, can you believe it? – and I’m ready to retreat. Not completely retreat. Let’s instead say retrofit for reality.

I am fascinated by some of the material that Tesia Blackburn is bringing into the “abstract art” class. Great new painting “tools” – like an out-of-date postcard, who’d’a thought it? Lots of possibilities with crazy mediums like tar jell and pumice something or other. Not to mention, her quick eye for all things compositional.

But after smearing paint all over a canvas with no apparent goal, I came up with some nice colors, some nice brushwork and some bad brush work, a little movement for the eye, and, in the end, nothing very interesting.

So I’m staying in the class but retreating to my normal material. I think it’s an opportunity to layer on some Tesia magic without changing who I am as an artist.

At least that’s my story for now. Whether or not I’m sticking to it is not clear. Time will tell…