When I was in college I spent 9 months in an art program in France. I was just beginning to use oil paints. The son of my painting professor posed for me. He had great coloring – pale skin, dark hair, and blue eyes. He also had an engaging, fun personality. I quickly painted a gestural response that captured some of his look. His father saw it. I chose to keep working on it on my own. When my professor saw it in its later state he let me know that if I had just stopped after the first session he would have offered to buy it. But now… The notion that there is some magic spot when a painting is finished – and if you continue on it is ruined – has interested me, perturbed me, for a while since. Now I’ve been painting long enough to realize that my chosen way of painting isn’t about stopping when the painting first hits a magic spot. No. Its an ongoing dialogue. The paintings I like best these days are long walks, or hikes, where there is a variety of magic along the way – and a beautiful spot at the end. Its as much about me learning and trusting my ability to make things work, even after choosing to destroy a magic moment with paint, as it is knowing when it is complete.
I thought a lot about this painting while working on the portrait of Jackson. I didn’t return to the painting of my professor’s son, believing that what was good I had trampled on with my need to make it ‘better’. The painting of Jackson feels complete, like a good long walk. And, by taking the long walk I think I captured more of the subtlety and feeling that lies within this 14 year-old boy.
Shawn, These are terrific portraits, they’re a little reminiscent of Alice Neel.
I think there’s a difference between overworking a painting and taking it beyond that ‘magic moment’ you speak of. I think a painting can be ‘killed’ by insisting it go somewhere it doesn’t want to go but that’s different from being courageous enough to not settle for the first acceptable moment you arrive at. Your paintings never feel overworked to me.
Bravo on the painting and the post! (and Bill’s comments, too).
I think there are many stages at which a painting is “complete” but only you, the artist, knows when it is Finished.
Thanks Bill – I am a fan of Alice Neel’s work, especially her edges/lines. So true about there being many stages to a painting, glad I have a better sense of this now.
Thanks Dawn! Your message on FB about thinking of me as a portrait painter way back when (Lacoste) gave me the nudge to seek out these commissions (really). So, thanks again!