03/21/2008: "A Woman's Prerogative"

I came to the decision a couple of nights ago, that I should cancel my upcoming show. It's only 3 months away, painting with oil takes a long time to dry, and I only have 2 pieces started. Plus with the wedding looming and *lots* of work to do in general, I thought it would be too stressful for both me and my honey.

I was going to call the gallery director yesterday and tell her. I kept waiting and waiting to call. The thing is, I really don't want to cancel the show.

Now I have a 3 day weekend so I'm going to paint as much as I can and see how far I can get. Also, as a back-up plan, I have several paintings around the house that never really "fit" into any one particular show theme, that I could spruce up and display if I come up short. I have one painting from a previous show that I really like except for the figure. I'm thinking of repainting that one, painting the figure out and maybe adding a small brush type tree in the foreground. The dog and kit may stay or go, not sure on that yet.

Anyway, having to do 5 or 6 new paintings in 3 months is much more manageable than having to do 10... Some of the pieces won't really "go" together, but I may divide the gallery space and have older (never previously displayed) work in one part, and the brand new work in another part. What do you think, is this a bad idea? Either way, I'm going to hold off on canceling and see what I can do over the long weekend.

Starting now.

Replies: 5 Comments

on Friday, March 21st, Rod said

Personally I think it's a good idea.
Git ta' paintin', woman!
You've only got one shot on this planet. Make it memorable.
Time flies.

'Regret' and 'should've' are a horrible thing to dwell on.
You'll be happy you didn't quit.

Harrumph!

on Friday, March 21st, berry connell said

y'got three months!

Let me ask you this....
Ingres or
Delacroix?
Give me lines and I will fill them with color
or
give me color and I will give you lines.
(though it's been, dang, back in 1984, 5. I may be stretching the paraphrasing a bit)

If you make lines on your canvas and then paint, then paint first, let the lines BE the paint.
If you paint first, use lines first.
Get over yourself for a moment and just ENJOY doing the painting.

WHY are you an ARTIST, girl?
ENJOY what you're doing and suddenly you're knocking those paintings out in a day!Three months would give you no less than 16 paintings if you painted two a week, giving you a whole month to dig up frames.

#2 reason (it ain't really any of my business, but, it's an open diary, so, I feel compelled to remind you....
A good show that close to the wedding will be something you will remember for centuries to come.
(hey, after fourty, they start feeling like centuries...)
C'mon...

Y'got the canvases, the paints, the talent.
Just stop arguing with yourself and go get 'em, tiger!

Hey, I ain't all that sucessful, but, go find one of those Harley Brown books...that guy will help you see that there's nothing to fear.

on Sunday, March 23rd, daan said

Nice post, thanks!

on Sunday, March 23rd, berry connell said

you know I'm just being in your corner, don'tcha?

Rent Bagger Vance and see what ol" Matt Damon says to Will Smith when he's being coaxed into giving up....

on Tuesday, March 25th, Elise said

Hey, thanks guys for the encouragement. I didn't do anything over the weekend and was about to throw in the towel but hell, I *do* have the time, if I choose to make the most of it.