Transcending Chaos mixed media by Meera Rao 30x22"
"I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration."
Frida Kahlo (1907 - 1954)
Even though it looks like a perfect match for Kahlo's quote, I had started this painting almost 18 years ago at a workshop given by Doug Walton. The shapes and various elements were drawn to cues given. The steps also included 'spiritcard' shapes and underpainting. Unfortunately my choices somehow never jelled into a decent composition. Over the years, I tried to unify and pull something out of the chaos that was on the paper. At one point I added a unifying background color. Most recently, it got a bit of gesso on it in places and some collage as I tried out what I had picked up in Myrna Wacknov's workshop. All I can say is that I learned a lot as I brainstormed and tried out various options.
Here is a Doug Walton gem from my notes from that first workshop which perhaps sums up my efforts? : "Wrong is right and right is wrong. Allow your 'how' to show- not the 'what.' Your wrongness is your difference; your difference is your significance. Be consistent. Be decisive even your wrongness. "
20 comments:
I sure hope you are calling this finished. It's fabulous!!!
Thank you so very much, Sandy! Yes, I am definetely caling it finished :) It has has had a looong incubation period !
Nice Finish. 18 years of incubation came to fruition beautifully. K
Wow, that quote from Mr. Walton is like something my husband says...."you have the right to be wrong." Looks and sounds like you've had some fun with this piece, Meera. That's the only way to paint. :)
Thank you Kay! As I said I learnt a lot in finishing this painting!
Carol, thanks ! He had some funny quotes to spice up the workshop! It was a different bit of fun dragging it for this many years :)
Meera, you set me to think today..rejuvenated after 18 years! What an inspiration really Meera, the quotes are fabulous , so also your re work on this piece!
Ciao Meera, this picture is really a wonder!
I like very much for what it expresses and for the colors ...
virginia
Thank you, Padmaja! The interesting thing is that going over the notes now I see how long it took me to to understand some color, value and composition concepts :)
Virginia, Thank you! I worked on and off for so long on it, it became a challenge to pull it together :)
What else do you have in your old bag of tricks? You are so smart in resurecting old pieces of art and giving them new life. It is amazing what you can do!
Thank you Kathy :) I surprise myself when I work on those paintings that were abandoned --I think its the freedom of knowing I can take chances that I wouldn't otherwise take!
She is so colorful...18 years! Wow. I love mixed media art...always so much to look at.
Lisa, Thanks! yes it had long 'curing' or 'incubation' time :) I persisted (mostly pull it out every so often and looked at it) because I too loved the colors I started out with and it was a full sheet of arches! I am happy that through all it went thru the colors have stayed fresh and clean.
I love both of those quotes Meera. And your painting is fascinating. Those colors really sing together! :)
Thank you Crystal :) The challenge was to keep the colors singing through all the stages of metamorphosis !!
Love the quotes and this fabulous painting...so what can we learn from this ...never give up ! I hope you decided not to anything else to this very personal and creative piece ! xx
Nice painting
thanks for sharing
Jane, Thank you ! Yes the painting is surely finished :) and yes - I rarely give up - I love to go back and practice on my put aside pieces!
Thank you Krishna :)
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