Deconstruction In Paint
Hello all!
I was recently assigned a project from an artist friend of mine - which is a great way to keep challenging, learning, and mentally stimulating ourselves. (I highly recommend!!)
Here was the assignment: Take a painting from my reject pile that I don’t like and figure out how to like it.
Easy enough, eh? … Not so much. 🙃 But both the process and outcome were exhilarating.
2021-L3-Unger-CaughtOnTheRocks-16x20 / Oil on Canvas / Cassi Unger
First off, here is my finished product above, ‘Caught On The Rocks.’ This is a main spot in town for ice fishing and I’ve become fascinated by the whole sport. From all the gear, to their little pop-up shanty tents, to the knowledge and trust of being on the ice, it all seemed like some wintery dream- full of endless subject matter.
But it didn’t start out like that. It started out with this plein air from the same location I created a long time ago. And, for some time, it habited in one of my reject bins in the basement (swore to never see the light of day again).
But it made the journey back upstairs…
During this recreation process, I was forced to think about it in a new light, went back out to this location to photograph and paint studies, and paused to critique. Here’s what I learned:
Just like fixing a broken fan, you have to deconstruct and figure out why it’s not working. It is only then you can strategize how to best put it back together again.
Here are some pictures in-between sessions. :)
Have a colorful day,
xxCass
