After working on it for so long, I decided that I’m finished with Wrinkled Paper. I could have worked on it forever, observing subtle differences in color and value, correcting the drawing, but in the end, my goal wasn’t to make a perfect reproduction of reality, but to create a beautiful picture.
It’s interesting to reach that point in a painting where suddenly, it feels complete. Sometimes, I think that I’m merely tired of it! I’m sure that’s part of the desire to move on, but I think that more importantly, I realize that the picture is saying what I wanted it to say, for better or worse. It’s almost as if it has a life of it’s own, formed when I completed the set-up. I realize that vision in paint, and then it’s done. No amount of fussing with small details will change the overall effect.
I find that it’s very difficult for me to judge the worth of a painting soon after I complete it. I’ve been so involved with it that I can’t be objective. I might look at it in a few months and love it, or I might see glaring faults. I really don’t know!
I don’t have any idea what my next painting will be! For now, I’m going to take a little break over the summer to travel, be with my family, and work in the garden.
Linda Mann Artist 