Defining my inspiration and process (Series 1 of 5)

Occasionally I am asked to share where my inspiration for paintings comes from and the steps when beginning a painting. That can be a difficult question to answer succinctly as I find there are several responses to that question.  Why?  Because there are many factors that can determine not only what my inspiration is, but also the inspiration can affect how I begin a painting.  My process “of” painting (my techniques) is fairly consistent. I decided to write about where I find my inspiration and to use this writing exercise to clarify, even for myself, and to share bits about my process.  I’ve come up with these 5 categories to share insight behind my paintings, but know there is overlap between these categories. 

• Practice/Exploratory Paintings

• Current Disposition Paintings

• Capturing Memories Paintings

• Fascination with Color Paintings

• Commissioned Paintings

And, because I believe each category deserves more than just a few sentences of explanation, I will create a separate blog for each inspiration. This series will begin with my inspiration behind my Practice/Exploratory paintings and will continue through the following list and end with Commissioned Paintings.

Practice/Exploratory Paintings

First of all, while the purpose behind a painting can play a significant factor in my inspiration, let me share this: paintings in which I respond to (from other artists as well) are because emotions are evoked and they stir my heart. Often times, its difficult to put into words the reasons why my heart is responding and this is why the following quote resonates with me:

“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.”    – Paul Cezanne

And this is true while experimenting with paint colors and pushing myself to learn a new painting technique.  As a self-taught artist, I began with a great deal of curiosity and by using my imagination to ask myself “I wonder what happens when I…”.  My curiosity was unconstrained because I wasn’t focusing on technique and specific guidelines.  It was with this beginners attitude that I began practicing and exploring about what came naturally to me and what I was drawn towards. I loved the tactile feeling of layering paint across the canvas and the buttery feel of acrylic paints.  Adding mediums and gels out of curiosity led to wonderment and losing track of time. My inspiration was out of desire to learn and practice “how” to paint along with the pure excitement of discovering a creative side that I’d long ignored.

Over time, I developed a method of adding several layers of acrylic paint by using palette knives and allowing for precious layers to remain visible. I’ve vacillated between spontaneously and randomly creating saturated combinations of color to paintings with more of a horizontal, abstract landscape method. Recently, I began experimenting by adding dashes of color across the canvas to convey a pathway (or heartbeat or musical notes according to one’s interpretation) on a solid background. Still using a palette knife, but by using a more precise and measured approach. This was a result of practicing new techniques and as result, I love this new approach of sharing emotions on a canvas. I continue to vacillate between these several methods depending on my current disposition.

I find it freeing to explore and practice my painting skills. There aren’t any mistakes because there aren’t any expectations. The purpose is to gain insight which brings me back to the beginner’s attitude and asking myself “I wonder what happens when I…”.  Practicing allows me to turn off a self-critical inner dialogue. Knowing that others may or may not ever see these paintings gives me permission to make “mistakes”…which leads to discovering what works and what doesn’t. Experimenting allows me to discern between enriched and subtle colors. More recently, I’ve using hand drawn grids (think Mondrian paintings) to use for experimenting by choosing three or four colors and randomly mixing. By experimenting using these grids, I’ve created enriched color palettes which in turn resulted in paintings with nuanced colors and depth. I’m keeping these exploratory grids for future reference.

Other times, I collect paint colors which have captured my current interest, other materials needed and begin by just randomly applying paint to a canvas. And I continue to experiment and let the creative process dictate what my next steps are…

My exploratory paintings? I keep them for reference too. Since I love layers, I occasionally use the paintings as a starting point and texture for future paintings. I feel the earlier paintings give a sense of history to the finished painting and I love the idea behind that.

Exploratory paintings allow for learning life lessons too. The freedom that comes with exploring while painting makes me wonder why I don’t apply that same outlook to everyday life. Just as when “mistakes” are made while painting and I pivot by altering a techniques or making changes, that applies to my daily life too. Just pivot. Make a different choice. Adjust my approach to a barrier.  Not always easy to do, admittedly, but necessary. Do you find this also to be true? 

This exploratory exercise often leads to another type of painting…another inspiration I’m calling “Temperament/Emotional Response Painting”. I will explore this inspiration in my next blog.  

~Dawn Winter