Thursday, October 21, 2010

Some times a painting can take years

All you artists and creative souls know what it's like to look at a blank canvas or bag of supplies and think "oh crap, I can't do it"  Whether we are having a moment of doubt, a creative block, a case of the "not in the mood" or "I don't have the space to work" issues, it can be intimidating.  What can be worse is when you DO start and nothing seems to go as planned or not as you envisioned.

That's what happened in this case.  The greatest of intentions, but once I got to a certain point nothing was working out right and I was so frustrated I finally just painted gesso over the entire painting except the gold leaf. (If you've laid gold leaf you'll know what a pain in the butt it can be, not to mention expensive,  so no way was I going to let that work go to waste).

  I put the painting up and away where it sat for over 2 years. Every time I ran across it it challenged me and every time I'd use one of the excuses above ~ my most used one is "I'm not in the mood", when really deep inside I know it's "doubt" that plagues me. I pulled her down this year suddenly sure of what she was supposed to be. Not what I originally intended, but that doesn't matter.


The early stages  ~ coming back to life


slowly starting to come together
                                                                            





Finished and framed in an antique dresser mirror frame
Eloa ~ an angel born from a tear that God shed 
 The point of this story is:   Don't give up ~ Forge ahead ~ You go girl!

GG ~ Peggy ~ Goodgosh



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12 comments:

Teddy Started It said...

Well I'd say it was worth the wait...and the self-doubt...and the taunting & mocking that only a partially completed canvas can dole out. She's beautiful. Your palette is luscious!

Happy Hound Creative said...

Beautiful!!!

Vintage fair Retro Rare said...

Superb......Muse does not march to our drums, inspiration strikes in mysterious ways!

Karen (Vintage Fair Retro Rare @ Etsy)

VintageEmbellishment said...

You needed the time between start and finish to know and understand Eloa....and then you were ready to share her with us :)

Beautiful!

abundancejournal said...

Very very pretty. One thing about the "muse" I've found, is that, tempramental though she may be, she comes around more often if she knows where to find you. Make a time and a place and wait for her there every day. I have a little table where I go at noon with my sketchbook. Sometimes she meets me there sometimes no. But more often than not, she comes.

jj said...

This is gorgeous! and I got to see it in person! Even better than the photos of it!
Two years waiting and then you whipped it out in less than two weeks, definitely worth the wait. :)

goodgosh said...

You are all inspiring ~ thank you! My "muse" needs to come around more often. Maybe I need to allow her time to...

Doodle said...

Great job Peggy. Sometimes the wait inspires the end result and sometimes we just have to jump in. Only the "artist" in you can decide. Shake the doubt girl ~ you have a gift!

Joy said...

Gorgeous! You're one talented, horsey!

carolbroadleypottery.etsy.com said...

So beautiful!! You have such and amazing talent!!

Runs With Scissors said...

OMG, this is just so beautiful. Absolutely amazing, gg!

peggy aplSEEDS said...

amazing! that is one UFO (UnFinished Object) that has a happy finish!