I've been busy with two weekend shows and one gallery reception over the last two weeks. The weather has tempted me outdoors for plein air painting, and my blogging brain has been on vacation.
Taking a few hours to catch up on my email and newsletters from FASO and Robert Genn, I saw that the subject of purging our studios of old and unsuccessful paintings has been a hot topic, one that I have worried about and made a few stabs at over the last two years.
Having reached the last year of my 60's, and having a few health problems, have caused me to realize that sometime -- hopefully in 10 or 20 years -- my one and only son will have to sort through the piles of work-- sketches, studies and my teaching notes--that have stacked up in the studio. My fear is that he will think that they are all precious and that is far from the truth.
Artist Robert Genn just addressed this subject on his twice weekly newsletter in an article on "How to Purge". Sign up for this newsletter for free at www.painterskeys.com or at www.robertgenn.com. if you want to know more about purging your cast-offs. I have done most of the things suggested by him and in the comments by his readers. I have burned/ripped up and painted over and fixed many paintings and have many more to go.
Musing on this subject reminded me of a wonderful story that I heard many years ago, don't remember the source so I can't tell you it is true, but it is fun to think about.
There was a young artist that sold an oil painting to a friend. As the artist grew in experience, he would be embarrassed to see this painting when he and his wife went to their home for dinner. He started carrying a few small tubes of paint and a small handled brush in his pocket when visiting them. While his wife distracted them in the kitchen, he would whip out his paints and make a few corrections to the painting. As the years went by this painting continued to improve and his friends, not knowing what was going on, boasted that his early work "looked just as good as his current work."
Don't we all wish we could "improve" our older work.
Watch for the new plein air paintings to show on the web soon.
Thanks for tuning in. Patricia Lappin
