“New Mexico, I’ve Never Been” 16×16″ Oil on Panel
Actually I have been to Grants New Mexico. But I’ve never been to this particular place. I’m not even sure where it is. This is painted from one of Laurel’s photos. She was out driving around while I was in class. I ran into this view on the hard drives and selected it for a small painting.
So why bring it up? I don’t know – it’s kind of a landmark for me. This is one more step past the line where I’m not a plein air painter anymore.
I used to be so religious about the idea that I had to paint from life. For very good reasons. It really is the best way to learn about painting.
I used to think the actual experience of color was the most important thing. But frankly cameras have surpassed the human eye in twenty years I’ve been an artist.
Today I would say it’s the inherent time limits that painting plein air imposes. That’s probably the best teacher. The motivation instilled by all the obstacles you have to overcome – finding the place, transporting yourself and your gear, and then trying to work in moderate comfort (or not). All these things effectively put you on a ticking clock.
Learning to paint *decisively*. Learning to mix color and put it in the right spot the first time. Those are key.
But, as artists, we must progress. Like the shark, you suffocate if you stop moving. The process of painting in the studio in oils is so dramatically different than working on location in watercolor – by switching modes so drastically I’ve been able to push my picture making so much further.
But the other thing about this piece. It may mark the point where I’ve painted everything I have ‘in the archives’. That is, all the photos that I’ve filed away as ‘you should paint this some day’.
Now, of course there are thousands more. Laurel has been a passionate photographer for this whole time. So I should never say never.
But for this set of work – I’m starting to feel – it might be done in five or ten more paintings.
I still want to do some really big ones :)
What does that mean for the next body of work? – I’m not sure! I’m taking some time off this November to focus on writing. (Thanks to Nanowrimo).
Then I’m not likely to do anything serious in Dec.
So it looks like 2020 will be an a year for a fresh start!
I’d be pleased if you clicked over to my Instagram where I’ve been presenting these impasto oil paintings, and had a look at the entire series.
Let me know what you think!
~Thanks, Marc