Workshop day 4

Day four was full of activity. In preparation for Fred's afternoon model session, I painted a 20" x 24" canvas in rectangles of different colors, thinking there would be different images in different spaces, maybe some flowing into others. It was a single long pose, not quick motion filled poses suitable for sketches. I started in the lower middle, put in lots of detail, then realized I did not like the size and location on the canvas and it would look too crowded filled with other images. The next day I painted it out and started over again, larger. But before that happened, Saturday night I went into overdrive and started a really big canvas, 30" x 40" to bring into the studio on the last day.

Workshop Day 1

Started a five day painting workshop with William Park at his studio in Portland. His paintings are a blend of abstraction, figures, images, sensuous colors and textures. His demonstrations were amazing. Then I had to start somehow in blacks and white only, no subject, just whatever turned up. Recognizable figures and landscapes show up sooner or later for me, because that's what I'm used to seeing, drawing and painting. A round shape became an eye, angular shapes became trees. I felt restrained at first without color, then suddenly found beauty in textures, lines and shapes. Towards the end of the day color crept in, just a hint of blue. Only one painting remained a pure monotone.