shadows

It’s a very exciting thing when a new perspective presents itself.

I have been struggling for a few months to be honest.  Working on themes and series that are meaningful but disparate, and exploring working in more detail which is time-consuming in the nicest possible way, but perhaps not helpful when deadlines are looming.

And then Ping!

A section of this recent work on reflection because the idea for a larger work.

Which was challenging in the most rewarding way.  Opening the idea of seeing positive spaces as negative ones, and making the two interchangeable.

The idea of shadow.  Pure shadow has gripped me.

from there they could see the world.  Oil on linen, 2009

I am exploring further, what you have seen countless times in my work.  Shadows.  And the ability a shadow has to tell a story of its own, or to lead the viewer to a conclusion of their own.  I’m also continuing to thrill in the gift that a title is.  In what it gives to interpretation of an image, and the tension words can build.

Trust/tryst, oil on linen, 2009

The fact that these paintings can be read as abstract is hugely appealing to me.  They are in fact painstakingly composed and painted with great care and attention.  I think it is important in preparing them for exhibition to include more literal images to explain in part the shadows at this point, but I can see a time when that will feel less important to me and in the meantime I am walking with my head down looking at light and dark and pattern, which is everywhere and fantastically interesting.

I’d chat more but I need to go and paint or perhaps wander….