Frequently, paintings reach a pivotal moment, a crisis point really, when they are completely stuck, and need to be destroyed in order to move forward. The paralysis is a function of my trying to control the painting and overthink it.
I often don’t know I am in that space until the rupture occurs and I’m on the other side of it. In the case with this painting, the blow up involved laying down thick strokes of gesso, folding the unstretched painting in half and walking on it to create a large Rorshach design, which reoriented my thinking and allowed me to move forward. My best paintings happen when I loosen my grip on the reins and nearly fall out of the saddle.
Featured Painting:
“Interpreter of Dreams” Ink, acrylic, spray paint, glitter, and oil on collaged canvas, 63 x 82″.
Galen, this painting is fantastic!
I really appreciate your description of your process to find your way of that stuck place we all know as artists. I’ve fallen off the saddle many times, and have given up in frustration. Having the courage to loosen up on the reins is the hard part. Great analogy, thank you!
Diane, you are my very first respondent to my very first blog. Thanks for spending time with the website and for leaving a thoughtful comment. You’re a real pal.
Galen, your website is fantastic! I have loved looking at it and reading your blog posts. I was very interested to read that you were mentored by Grace Hartigan who is one of my favourite painters since art school.
You’ll know me from Instagram!
I’m loving your artworks and reading about your process. For sure it’s hard when we get stuck! It’s always hard to destroy parts of a painting we like but generally it makes the work better.
Best from Fiona
Thanks so much, Fiona! Sorry for the late reply–I’m trying to get better about checking my website traffic and comments.
Yes, Grace Hartigan was a major force in painting and personality. No shy, retiring flower, that’s for sure. Unfortunately, I didn’t fully grasp her art historical importance at the time. No doubt, I was too wrapped up in my own whatever at the time, being in my 20’s…
Thanks for checking in. I love seeing your work on Instagram, and I still hold out hope that I will get back to the UK and will meet you and your work in person!
xo
Galen