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pastel on somerset paper |
Recently I did the bravest thing in my life. I made the decision to lose a chunk of my lung in order to get rid of a micro bacteria that was eating it up. It was a gamble ....it could work...or not. The doctors now think it worked. (YAY, celebrate!)
That brings me back to memory painting and bravery. For years I was a afraid to paint without a reference...I needed a plein air painting, photo, drawing, or the scene in front of me ...something that I could hold on to however small. I told myself that I needed to spark my concept. After surviving my surgery and gradually "coming back", painting from my head is "no problem."
Fear (for this) doesn't exist anymore. Letting go of fear was eye opening...What WAS I afraid of, ME? Painting is about the concept, the idea/feeling that makes you want to paint. The idea that possesses you. With memory, it not only possesses you, it is you.
So this painting is the proverbial "rabbit out of a hat." I made this one up with just memory of what light looks like and a desire to paint warmth. WHERE did it come from? Where is this landscape? I don't know. Maybe from the recesses of my mind.
So now I come back to you blogger friends, what is stopping you from trying? You might fail...but does that really matter? Finding the painter inside you is more important. So I challenge any painter..try a memory painting this week. Enjoy. Send me a jpeg so I can enjoy with you.
The memory painting guidelines, adapted from Whistler.
*watch a scene, then turn your back and in words describe in detail. If you have someone with you have them correct if you are wrong. Do this till it is secure in your head. No photos or sketches.
* Wait 12 hours, allow the scene to be created in your head
* Paint, using only that memory. Your knowledge and understanding of light will stream in and guide you.
* I will be happy to post a jpeg of your painting on my site, with credit to you, of course.
Yes, I will go back to reference material, probably using my plein air studies as I always did. But now when I return to using something in front of me I will do so with a new mind.