Wednesday 12 January 2011

Soaring Thoughts and Musical Moments

Soaring Thoughts and Musical Moments.

Yesterday, for the first time in a long time, I had a burning urge to paint. Now I already have a number of canvas lying waiting to be repainted, the result of many failed attempts in the last few weeks if not months. I did not feel that painting an already used canvas with white was going to keep the feeling alive for long. Instead I took a block of acrylic paper and stuck it on my easel, and began to apply paint. I am aware that you are supposed to tear the sheet off and attach it to a firm surface but I did not even want to spend time doing that.

I applied the first of my colours, some bold dark blues and blacks across some of the central area. I stood back and looked for a moment then went to pour a coffee while I waited on that drying.

I poured out another four colours, some white, yellow and burnt sienna with a very small amount of red.

With fingers and knives and the odd touch with a brush I applied the other colours, allowing them to mix of the paper. I very quickly allowed this all to dry and then just added some small, very small, areas of pure unmixed colour.

There before me was exactly what I had seen in my minds eye. This was the first time I had ever painted an abstract of acrylic paper and not on a canvas. But this meant I could cut a mount and mount it and frame it behind glass as if it was a watercolour.

Because I have framed it behind glass I now cannot show you the completed painting, as framed, but I feel pleased with it. Those who know me will know that I do not say this too often, so I will say it again. I am fairly well pleased with this work. It has expressed the feelings and thoughts as I approached the paper with paint.

Let me share with you where these high soaring thoughts and musical moments came from. They were stirred up by all of you who have taken the time to contact me to say you were missing my blogs.

I really do hope the painting sings a song to you and you feel part of it, but I know that yesterday I painted something I feel some pleasure from.

This blog is linked to my other where I tell some more of the thoughts behind this art. Who Packs Your Parachute

9 comments:

  1. It's wonderful! So vibrant and expressive! With so many subtle shadings and highlights, then splashes of boldness breaking through... very good! How big is it?

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  2. Art that gives pleasure is art indeed. Well done, Ralph.

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  3. I was wondering where you had got to! The squirrel is SO cute and I really like the vibrant colours in this painting :0)

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  4. ps: this paint is very expressive, I like it a lot

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  5. This canvas literally 'sings' with joy. Love it. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Sometimes a fresh start at the right moment is all it takes.. you felt like painting so much and it comes through this piece, energy, excitement, soaring !!....It's excellent, and my favorite saying, "Follow your heart and you'll never be lost" is exactly what you did here!

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  7. I love the energy in this painting Ralph. I am so happy that you are back blogging. We all missed you! :)

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  8. I understand that feeling of just having to get to the painting part NOW! So glad you followed that creative impulse... and what a wonderful result.

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