Untamed Land

Untamed Land
Untamed Land

Monday, April 19, 2010

The Recycle Bin

If you have seen very many of my paintings, you know that not all of them are gems,(none of them?). Try as I might, I cannot maintain a strong consistency of quality with every painting. The worst of the bunch go directly to the recycle bin, and are never seen by anyone but me. Others are not so terrible so I hang on to them, hoping to improve them at some point.
This 16x20"eagle painting was one of those. Although I never sent it to a gallery, I showed it to many people. No one responded positively so I reluctantly sent it to the recycle bin to be painted over. This morning I retrieved it with the intent to sand it off, and re-coat the board with gesso.
The painting was'nt wonderful, but it did not deserve to be destroyed, so I made an attempt to make it better.
This is the latest version of the painting. Since I dont remember the original title, I'll change the name, and call it, The Eagle Perch. Is it any better? I cant be objective enough to know.
Since I'm on the subject, I'll include some more borderline paintings. This is a 20x16" Arctic Grayling.

Blue-necked Tanager, 10x8"
Bottomland Wolves, 24x36"
Copper Country, 18x24", (Gray Fox)
Exit Glacier Melt, 36x24"
The Glowing Coast, 12x16",(Black Oystercatcher)
Wet Feet, 16x20".  My late brother Jim, used to be able to glance at my paintings, and tell me what was wrong with them. No one else seems to have the ability, or temerity to articulate the problems these paintings have. I just think they are too good to recycle.

4 comments:

BrImHaLl FaMiLy said...

I like them all but I especially like the bear one! I wish I lived closer to you. I could really use some of your paintings to decorate my house!!!

john said...

Hey Sandi,
If you really want the bear painting, just pay for the shipping and you can have it. That would run $50, or 60 dollars.

tess stieben said...

Well, seeing as you are asking. I make note that the 2nd eagle no longer looks like its basking in the warmth of a setting sun, yet I do like the changed rock formation. The rock shapes now work better to keep focus on the eagle. The Blue Tanager I find absolutely gorgeous. Maybe the background is a bit too unvaried; although I like it the way it is. I also love the oystercatcher. Some day I would love to do a painting with an oystercatcher in it, l hope to take some reference shots this next summer in BC. As for the bear the way the light is hitting the chest makes it look like it has real long legs up to the neck. Hope I helped a tad-bit.

john said...

Teresa, Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I welcome them. The lack of direct light on the eagle is more a quirk of the camera. In reality the light on the eagle is actually more pronounced than it was before.