Hi Friends,
I’ve been playing it safe lately. Sometimes I get tired of trying to create new art that’s better, bolder, more expressive and more meaningful. Then I just want to retreat into the comfort of making art that’s pretty and that I know I can do well.
For me those are the paintings where I push the canvas into a puddle of paint on the floor. Over the years I’ve gotten pretty good at this process, and they’re interesting and fun to do.
These are also the paintings in my portfolio that sell the best. People like the bright, cheerful colors and the uplifting quality of the work.
I chose some different palettes for my paintings this time around. These first two pieces are pinks and coral on a background of dark gray, which gives a senuous and sophisticated look.
Click on the images to see them in a browser and for more information about the work.
“Swoosh,” 30 x 24 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
“Perennial,” 36 x 12 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
Next I tried a bold color scheme of scarlet, orange, hot pink, olive green and a little yellow on a background of deep forest green.
“Garden Party,” 24 x 30 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
I also played around with some narrow pieces, scraping them vertically and horizontally through the puddle of paint to create a minimalist look.
“Zen Moment 1,” 36 x 12 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
“Zen Moment 2,” 12 x 36 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
When do you play it safe? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. You can share them with us in the comments section below.
With love and appreciation,
Cassandra