The Cutting Edge

The Cutting Edge

I am showing two versions of this painting. I am not going to ask you to tell me which is better, one or the other. They are different.

What this does show is that the inner mood of a person can so easily affect the finished artwork.

I do prefer one to the other but not by a great deal.

These paintings were the first and the fourth of the paintings that arose from my musings on deep and big questions.

One is painted on a standard canvas 40” x16” and I intend to make a frame for it. The other is on a deep box canvas ready to hang, again 40” x16”

I am hoping that one will sell and the other I can give to my son for his new office.

Constructive Thinking

A good friend suggested that these two paintings could very easily be made very personal by hiding the initials of the owner in the midst of it. I kind of like this idea.

This blog is linked to my other. The Warrior and The Cat

The Categorical Imperative

The Categorical Imperative

This is the second of the Abstracts I have painted since my afternoon in the Buddhist Temple.

My son, who is my greatest critic does not like this one. His opinion is it is far too cluttered and possibly even a bit harsh.

He may well be right about the clutter, but then as I have already told you these three paintings have grown from the thinking of that afternoon and the on-going thinking in the days that have followed.

Having been both a minister of religion and a teachers of Philosophy, obviously some of that thinking and questioning has been about some of the, “Big Questions.”

When we turn to those my mind is indeed a clutter and a turmoil.  I  hope you can also see that it is not dark but bright and full of life if sometimes in the clouds.

The title I hope does not confuse but in fact add to the thoughts behind it.

Painted in acrylic on a box canvas 50cm x 50cm

This blog is linked to my other. Things Are Not Always As They Seem

Structured Thinking (Or As Close As I can Get)

Structured Thinking ( Or As Close As I Can Get)

If you read my other Blog you will be aware that I have been spending more time than I normally would just quietly thinking. I found the need to get my thinking back to some sort of normality. My head is so often a spin of ideas, thoughts and theories. Some of these thoughts are happy and joyful and lead to much laughter and pleasure. Others can be self-destructive and I need to hone in on those and stop them from causing myself and those around me hurt and harm. 

It is in these thoughts that are so often born the beginnings of the art I produce. Not surprising then that so much of it falls far short of what I desire. 

So often when I return from my mountain holidays I am full of ideas and nature paintings. On this last holiday I felt barren and empty of such. 

I thought it was to be another long time of conflict with paint. Now in the last week and a half I have painted three abstracts. Abstracts that I fully understand why I painted them, and amazingly those who have seen them seem to like them, even those who normally do not like abstract art. 

The painting I have here today was in fact the third one I painted. I think the title gives a large pointer to what I am trying to say in the work. The red parts are those area of my life I need to keep in check The other colours go from the deep of purple to the golden moments. There are places where I cannot keep them under control and they infuse one into another.

As I say, I am not unhappy with them, but I do wonder if they will ever hang on another person’s wall?

This blog is linked to my other where you can read of the birth of these paintings.What You Really have

Poppy Abstract

Poppy Abstract.

I enjoyed doing the last large canvas, Floral Abstract. In spite of the fact that my family to a person say they do not like it, and some even stronger words, I do like it. I can see it on a fresh while wall making a colourful statement. It may not happen but that is the picture in my head today. 

With that in my mind I reached positively for a smaller canvas, one that can easily be framed, and painted a second version of it. Again my family are not at all impressed with it, but again I feel happy with it. Maybe it has something to do with this time of year, when we turn our thoughts to poppies and remembrance. This played a very important part in my calendar when I was a minister. I always made a very special effort on that Sunday because I was aware of what it meant to so many people. 

I am aware it is very similar to the last on though much smaller. 16" x 20' again in thick acrylic.

I am going to hang this painting in the inn where a great many old soldiers go. I am going to allow visitors to make offers rather than me price it. The highest offer will have the painting and the money raised will go to their special fund. 

This blog is linked to my other. A Few Things I should Know

Floral Abstract.

A Floral Abstract.

I am not sure where my art is taking me but it is for sure taking me down roads and avenues I had not thought I would travel.

My first love has always been abstract art, followed closely by seascapes and mountains. Yet recently I have found myself painting actual places from research and memory.

I have often returned to nature and poppies, but always with intent. This painting happened. I started with wonderful bright thoughts of nature and vivid colourful thoughts. Somewhere along the way poppies crept back into the picture.

If you read my other blog you will be aware that I and friends have had much debate of late about the planet and nature and our place within it. So maybe this is where the influence comes.

A large box canvas 40" x 16" using acrylic.

This blog is linked to my other. A Drop Of Water.