new painting } eves at the forum

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Eves at the Forum, 2016, acrylic on canvas, 250 x 150 cm

I started this painting in late July, and until I finished it two days ago, it had been driving me mad. For the longest time I kept denying that the painting felt wrong, that I even hated it. I put it away for weeks, in avoidance and resentment for the subjects it portrayed. It’s the worst feeling ever, painting-wise. When I brought it back out and looked at it hard and strong-and admitted that some of the faces had to go-I got both a feeling of relief and an overwhelming sense that there was a lot of work to be done. And so many problems to solve. I worked so long on this painting that not only did I pose once with it for Instagram, not twice, but four times! We did end things on good terms and all is fantastic in the world again.

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My sister liked the green I used to block the margins. She said it reminded her of this painting she had done of one of my plants. So I kept some green in there for her.

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IG photo number two. In its original incarnation, the painting seemed to work better with me in it. I think I needed one more Eve right where I’m sitting here.

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Their hands go well with mine.

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And done.

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This picture makes me laugh now but it couldn’t gone terribly awry. I posted it on IG stories but wasn’t happy with the fact the bottom of the painting was not parallel to the rug. So, stupid me, I tried adjusting it while still lying down on my back (so arms over my head). All of a sudden I looked up and saw the painting falling down towards me. At the same time I saw, in its path, a ladder and a chair (this all happened in seconds). Somehow I managed to catch the frame part of the canvas with my feet in the most unladylike way imaginable.

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Lastly, I couldn’t resist taking this panoramic shot of my home. This is what happens when I’m done with a painting, particularly a very taxing one: I get a renewed burst of energy for life!

 

 

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