Beware the unexpected

Saturday Night's All Right   oil/canvas   16 x 20 x 1.5

Artists work very hard. I draw and paint with many other artists each week and am witness to the efforts that are required. The results are often surprising. Sometimes, the works that we labor over remain stale. Yet, some works seem to paint themselves with ease. We are always surprised and wish that we could find that formula again....................I don't believe that there is any such formula. By working within the time framework of a given situation, we are at odds with the clock, but, in doing so, put limits on what can be done. I believe that a great work can result after 5 minutes, or after 5 hours. Using a camera for photo references breaks that boundary and allows a work to be picked at ad infinitum. Often a disadvantage and a downfall. I know this from experience. "Saturday Night's All Right" is one of my favorite works, created during a Saturday night art walk in my community. I had only 5 hours with this model and the pieces seemed to fall into place easily. I so wish for that formula!