A Second Paint

Three Objects 2, oil on linen

Painting this picture was an exercise in not painting what I remembered but to keep my vision on seeing as a painter. This is a second painting of the same subjects in almost the same configuration. I find the colours and tones very soothing, I think I could paint this picture many times and it would always be as if I were painting it for the first time.

More Looking than Painting

Perfume Bottle with Objects, oil on linen

"The deepest feeling of a compassion that does not seek to alter anything, paradoxically, alters everything." - Adyashanti

The Mystery of Form.

Four Objects, oil on linen

"At each moment we are expressing what we know ourselves to be. If we know ourselves very little we will express and manifest that unconsciousness of our true nature.
If we know who and what we are very thoroughly, we will express and manifest that in what we do.
It is all very simple."
~ Adyashanti
My Secret is Silence

The Lure of Glass

 

Pomegranates with Glass Jar, oil on linen

An interesting process, painting this fruit and jar still life. When it started to look like soup, instead of what I wanted, that was the moment for me to trust the process completely and I happily completed this in the second session.


Why was it tricky? I think the tones are all very similar, so in this case it is often quite difficult to get clarity, in mind and on the canvas.

The Calming Effects of Green

Still Life with Glass Jar, oil on linen

Painted during an emotional storm, the act of painting these pictures brought me right down to earth.

Three Objects, oil on linen

 The Importance of Space

Five Objects, oil on linen

"..discover in your own present experience that which the movement of thought never touches... the already ever-present, silent, still source that not only precedes thought but surrounds it.
...become more interested in the unknown than in that which is known..(so that) you are no longer referencing thought to tell you who and what you are... then will thought be capable of reflecting that which is true, rather than falsely masquerading as truth."

- Adyashanti

The Ones that Took a While

Collection One, oil on linen

Collection Two, oil on linen

These paintings particularly the Collection 1 picture presented a few problems in the making.

Mainly due to my inaccurate start as to correct proportions and trying to paint things that really couldn't be seen. I had 2 sessions on Collection 1 and wasn't happy at all with the result of the 2nd session. How come it looked so bad? I took a break from it then went away on a holiday that was planned months away and I didn't like being dragged away from it. I felt sick about it, and stressed too.

When I came back to it six weeks later and took a good look at it and at the set up of the real objects that I was painting from, I knew exactly what to do, without putting anything into words. It was all in my head, the whole lot, it was weird. I happily painted it for the third session and finished it. I couldn't believe it because when I was away, I was thinking I would give up on this one and start a simpler one to go back to basics. 

As a result, I have decided not to scrap the current painting I am working on. Although wishing that I could escape on holiday again, though without the stress, I am learning to trust myself and the process.