When One Painting Becomes the Beginning of Another
Now that I'm back in the studio... after a month-long getaway and time to get back into my art... I've been looking at some of my older works as inspiration. As artists, we sometimes are so ready to move ahead with our practice that we forget the art we've already created. Sometimes it can be some of our best work because we were possibly exploring a new medium, subject matter, or technique...so we took a deep dive to learn more. Other times it might just be a piece we never felt good about...putting it on the easel again to work that out can be very satisfying.
An existing artwork can become a source of inspiration rather than something that's unfinished hanging around the studio...or worse yet, finished and you don't feel good about the end result. There are many ways to deal with this...artists can crop, transfer, cut, layer, print, paint over, or collage their own work...and it's your work, so you have total freedom! A piece of art is never done until you're happy with it.
Collage • Layers • Paint Over
Working from something you've already created can actually lead to more creativity... not less! You may have picked up a few new techniques since you created the original piece, here's an opportunity to try them out... with no pressure with how it's going to work out. The difference between just copying your own work and allowing it to evolve, is being open to the unexpected discoveries that happen when you give an old piece a new life. That's why they call it an art practice!
It can be hard to let go of an older painting, I totally get that, though as artists, our art is always evolving, and what better place to try that new technique out than on older painting. Not to mention it already has history on it, maybe something you can work with that has a built-in underpainting!
Sold Original Painting • Transfer On A Gelli Plate • Pulling A New Print To Work With
Your “failed” paintings may not be failures at all! If they're messing with your creative spirit, set them aside, let them rest, and go work on something else. It's always good to have several canvases going at once for this reason. If you are only working on one piece and it's not going as planned, frustration will be visiting your studio...and we don't want that!
top right Original Artwork • top left Copied In Reverse
Two More On The Easel To Work With
Not all are failed artworks! It might be a piece you really loved and enjoyed the process of creating it...but once it got into the public eye, someone snatched it up and you were left missing it! Yes...that's a thing, trust me!
It's an honor when someone want's a piece of your art, and sometimes sad to let it go. You may think you'll never be able to recreate it...but you can...just different than before. It could be a client wants a piece just like one you already sold to someone else...you can recreate it in a way to resembles the first, doing it differently this time around...everyone is happy.
Original Artwork • Creating Several Copies Using a Gelli Plate
I've been exploring this idea in my own studio, and I created a new Studio Session showing one way to turn an existing painting into the beginning of something new. Take a look below...
Maybe there's a painting sitting somewhere in your studio that isn't finished...or perhaps one that is finished but still feels like it has more to say. Before you decide its story is over, give it another look. You might be surprised by what it has left to become. And that's the wonderful thing about an art practice... there's always another possibility.
I'll be back in the studio soon with another possibility of my own to explore. Until then, keep looking at your work with fresh eyes. You never know what might be waiting there.
Comments