“In the process of making a painting in an abstract way, the painter is in search of a reality. Not one of realistic objects, but of the complete end result. The painting is experienced as a whole, and must evoke in the painter the absolute conviction that this is how it should be and no other way.”
-Paul Burlin
"Making Things Happen" 36" x 40" work on canvas
“What do you think about while you paint? Or are you transfixed by the process? Do you daydream? If so, does it affect the painting? When you say collage, do you mean you apply objects like paper to the canvas before you paint? I’d also be interested in what inspires you to choose colors each time. I love these colors. The blue is special in this one. Is it cobalt? I think cobalt has special power to affect the emotions.” Diana Maus recently posted these questions in a comment from an early blog post (6/13/08) of mine. Well Diane, here goes…
What do you think about while you paint? When I paint I think about everything and nothing at the same time. I try desperately to empty my mind of the day to day mundane stuff that piles up (my everything thoughts). To free myself as much as possible from the constant brain chatter (another blog subject) and allow myself to be transfixed on the process. Not easy – as I am sure you know. I don’t believe we can ever truly shut out what is happening in our lives, but when I am painting, the process does consume my being and yes, it is an astonishing experience.
Do you daydream? If so, does it affect the painting? Daydream – as a verb daydream is “to indulge in a series of thoughts” Yes, I daydream. I believe that I do indulge in allowing my thoughts to wander freely as I work (my nothing thoughts). I allow myself to transcend to a level of consciousness that frees me to paint without inhibition. I think this level of daydreaming does affect my work in a positive way. There are days when it is easier to reach this consciousness level than others of course!
When you say collage, do you mean you apply objects like paper to the canvas before you paint? I incorporate paper – cut & torn, canvas, screen, etc. all through the process. Collaging, or applying them into the surfaces as I work. Before during and occasionally at the end. Some are buried and some stay visible – it really depends on the piece and it’s needs.
I’d also be interested in what inspires you to choose colors each time? All color is an inspiration to me. What inspires me to choose a color is often a process of challenging myself within the work. I choose colors at random and deliberately. Putting a color next to another color will change the whole balance of a piece. I love that surprise and it offers me the challenge of resolving the work through process of painting with even more color! I love these colors. (Diane was asking about “On the Edge” shown below) I too am in love with color and the power that it has to stop me in my tracks. The blue is special in this one. Is it cobalt? I think cobalt has special power to affect the emotions. I believe there is cobalt blue in this painting along with many other colors and shades of blue. I think all colors have that power to affect the emotions.
"On the Edge" 60" x 48"
I bet a lot of people would be interested in what goes through your mind in the studio. As I’ve said before, your work has an emotional impact. I’m curious if that comes from you indirectly or if you are purely working in the abstract? Not really sure where to go on this question Diane. I am flattered that you feel people would be interested in knowing what goes on in my head. Personally, I am not sure I want to know! I am afraid there are somethings that just can not be put into words. I paint; it is what I do. I would like to believe that my work is an extension of my soul. That the paintings I create, directly or indirectly, are the experiences of my soul and they will speak of my absolute conviction that this is how they should be and no other way.
Thanks for asking Diane!
“What you do when you paint, you take a brush full of paint, get paint on the picture, and you have faith.” - Willem de Kooning
Paintings are available.
“I can’t always reach the image in my mind… almost never, in fact… so that the abstract image I create is not quite there, but it gets to the point where I can leave it.”
-Chuck Close
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Ah, thanks Deborah, for answering my string of questions. It does sound like you are working with the universal truths that art can illuminate. It’s been said that we all recognize these truths when we see them. Even though they are non-verbal, or pre-verbal, they are immediately familiar. This is the purity of abstraction, and the reason I love it so much.