Sunday, August 7, 2011

Evolution of a Work - 'Woods Mystery'

I really like the peaceful harmony in this painting.  It has a kind of mystical feeling to it that I think, in part, is due to how it evolved.  In both shows where I've exhibited this work, viewers have told me they see a spiritual essence in the painting- I'm touched by these comments, since it is what I experienced in creating the painting, and it is very satisfying to know that these feelings come across to viewers.
Alice Kelsey.  "Woods Mystery."  Oil on canvas.  18" X 24"
I started the painting with abstract shapes and colors, with no subject in mind (what artists call an 'evoked image').  Although I often start my works out on location, sometimes I like to work in this other way, where the image comes out in an unexpected way.  Here's what it looked like after the first day.  The arc forms suggested trees to me, and pretty soon the painting was of woods.
'Woods Mystery' - early stage.

I adjusted the location of the trees, seeking a pleasing rhythm.  Some were added, and some were removed.  I removed a lot of the green from the left foreground by painting over it, since it seemed to be in the way of my eye entering the image.  I also felt a need to simplify and unify the distant woods, and a purple-grey seemed to accomplish this, and fit the mood.
"Woods Mystery" - almost finished
At this nearly complete stage, the main thing that bothered me was the green at the upper left.  So I took it out. 

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