08 March 2015

a long slow current

In the autumn of 2014 I began making purely abstract work.  I should say "began again" because a couple of decades ago I was making abstract paintings, but you know how life has its detours.  

verna vogel ellipse

Over the years my love of abstraction endured, and finally I took the plunge.  So I've spent about 18 months now focussed on abstract work; it has been the main thrust of my studio endeavours and I've enjoyed participating in the unfolding of this renewed direction.


verna vogel ellipse

I tend to make blog posts about all the stuff that happens - the plein air paintings and portraits and little side projects - but in reality those things take up maybe 15% of my creative output.  They are a break from my "real" studio work so to speak.


verna vogel ellipse

Yesterday I had a fantastic day, finishing two more "Ellipse" paintings.  One of the paintings was a real struggle while the other just seemed to come together effortlessly.  I love that balance of struggle and flow.

verna vogel ellipse

I now have got 8 finished works and 2 which need some improvement.  My plan is to have 10 finished works of an excellent quality by the end of this month, because I have an important visitor coming.  Therefore I need to have made 15 pieces by then, of which I can reasonably expect 2/3 to be of sufficient quality.

I think I can do it.  I think I can...  

:)

3 comments:

Barbara Muir said...

Good to know that other artists say "I think I can, I think I can." More from the train. Love the thoughtfulness of this, and love your work.

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

P.D. Crumbaker said...

I love the way these look on your studio wall. A shift in the creative process...It's often thought of as something sudden. But, a "long show current"--this speaks of something entirely different. Much to ponder.

Verna Vogel said...

Thanks for your thoughts, you two!

I think I'm in the "mid-life assessment", hey, and discovering that practicality comes in many forms. Physical practicality, yes, but also emotional and spiritual practicality.

So making this abstract work teeters on the edge of physical practicality, but I'm finding it is essential for the spirit.

Mmm, perhaps I ought to make a blog post with those words...