THE SELF-ISOLATION RESIDENCY 12th September 2020: DAY 167

"On my easel: No 2", Working title, 'Out of the darkness'.

'On my easel' is a series of posts that I am adding to the Self-Isolation Residency Blog which will consider a current painting which is within days or sometimes hours of completion. This isn't quite the same as 'work in progress' as many of the pieces under consideration in this category may actually be complete already. These are generally going to be works which I am reflecting on for one reason or another and it is these needs for reflection which are preventing me from 'accepting' the work as complete.'

Today in 'On my easel' I'm looking at what is probably one of the more advanced paintings in this particular branch of the Near Black project. Advanced that is in that it is the first painting with a slightly less abstract feel to it. It had always been my intention to allow these paintings to begin to evolve along the lines of land, sea or skyscapes, this painting is the first one where that notion has began to present itself it such a way that I felt strongly compelled to explore it in a more direct way. The forms of the 'land' and 'water' began to disclose themselves as I developed the abstract marks; once I began to see a form taking place I worked with it to the point that you now see. 

Of course as an 'On my easel' piece this doesn't necessarily mean the piece is finished, although I think that it is probably pretty close there is still no reason why I might not change it entirely.  However I feel that the likelihood is against much change and for two good reasons; number 1, as a piece within this process I feel that it has been a successful experiment and number 2, I feel that it's a good little painting.