Studio Notes

At first, I didn’t feel like painting today, but Nina came over for our Sunday afternoon art jam, so I had to do something. I got tired of painting fur after a while, so I started roughing in the incense burner in the foreground. I finished the brass top, and am starting to paint the copper. I’m just grateful that I was able to paint at all. I’ve been in such a blocked state for weeks. Strangely enough, it didn’t bother me that I couldn’t do anything artistic. It just seemed like there were so many other things going on in life that I was enjoying the opportunity to rest. 

  (click image for a larger view) Nina and I had our weekly art jam today, and for a change I worked on Amber’s portrait. Realism is NOT my best friend, and I feel like I have been painting this portrait for a lifetime.  In fact, I began in October, but have only managed three or four sessions on it. I’m not being methodical at all, and I paint whatever details seem most comprehensible at the moment. At one point I had the canvas turned sideways, to better stroke the fur in the direction that it grows. Amber really does have that slightly disapproving glance, as if to remind us that we are not royal Abyssinians and we never will be.