What I Used for This Painting
Oil paint, canvas over board, painting knives.
Why This Painting is My Favorite
This year I've been exploring the use of paintings knives to complete the entire work. It is particularly useful to be limited to a larger tool — it allows more freedom in the application of paint and helps keep it loose.
Also, I've always worked from life. In this painting, as well as others completed this year, I've moved toward working from memory and just the pleasure of expression with colors that are appealing. Moving to connect with and express a more internal aesthetic feels more genuine than just faithfully painting the subject at hand. Breaking some of the rules of my training is fun! This particular piece works on many levels and viewers have responded enthusiastically to it.
'Frida's Front' is a work completed for a group show of artists and writers in Taos, New Mexico. The show titled Frida Fractured is currently on exhibition at the J Fine Art Gallery near the historic downtown.
Lessons Learned
- Freedom using painting knife
- Connecting to internal aesthetic
- Exploration of geometrics
- Experimentation with composition
- Integration of multiple principals
Your Blog/Website
http://seamusberkeley.com/show/P0121
