Three's company

There is a lot going on.  There are things I like and things I don't but it is done.

Changing

I have been having trouble finding myself since I went to the Mike Svob course (which I haven't finished the notes).  I don't want to paint exactly like him.  I want to encorporate what I learnt but nothing feels right.  Some of my recent paintings  feel tight which is unlike me.  Today's work feels good.  The title is fits not only the painting but my mood.

Changing

I have spent a lot of time in dressing rooms tying skates.  I remember the time the coach said parents were not allowed in the dressing room and all I could think is "YES".

Dressing rooms smell bad.

Mike Svob Workshop day 2

I think if I ever take another workshop I will try to type up my notes right away because it has been only 2 weeks and I can't figure out what I wrote.  Here is some other quotes

• "style is determined by the technique" - if you don't like your style change your technique
• "Most important thing is interesting shapes - don't make them boring"
• everything is a sketch until someone buys it, then it is a painting

spread gel (or molding paste) with a brayer
drawing and painting should meld into one
watered down liquid medium for isolation layer (hmm again what the heck does that mean?
On a wet surface dry brush use thick paint without water. Transparent in the beginning

If layer underneath is dry you can use sponge to soften
He painted in transparent and then dried the painting with a blow dryer, followed by opaque paint. Wet the canvas -  black into the darkest

His photo and thumbnail

Initial transparent wash

Not his but notes he made for another artist

adding opaques and black

finished painting

worse than yesterday

Yeah this day's output was worse and it is hard to think of how long it took me to paint this disaster.

Louis Cyr

Louis Cyr was a very, very strong man.  Google him if you don't believe me.  For 2 years as I took the bus to Dawson Cegep (a college in Montreal) to go to the cafeteria, I would pass his statue. I didn't know who he was and not having google and being too lazy  to go to the library to look him up, I never read about him, but I loved this statue.  Who wouldn't - it doesn't look like  the rest of the statues around the city - no angels, no halos, and no horses.  The part of town he is in, is a working class area and he just seems to fit.  There used to be a church across the street but it burnt down and on the other corner is a Home Depot but he remains perpetually strong and silent. Damn I really like this statue.

They made a movie about him and it is now playing.  I don't know if I will see it, I prefer my own imagination in this case.  I did paint a version of the statue.  The difficulty of painting a statue is not making it life like - I think I failed but I did have fun and I don't feel like doing anymore. He looks fat and not strong.  Well I can always just go and see him.  Love that statue