There’s a general rule that has us understand that in painting we have the abstract and the representational. The abstract is something that refuses definition, and the represented can not only be defined, but is definition itself. Then, we have this meta-zone, a between-the-two, that serves in varying degrees, a bit of this and a bit of that and a bunch of other stuff. This is our grey area, even if we’re looking at color.

This is one of those paintings that is exactly somewhere in that between-the-two land. It’s a grey-zone inhabitant, and while you look at it, it looks right back as if you’re looking at a reflection of yourself. It involves you, it is you.

The Story Behind the Painting

I did this one a number of years ago with oil paints on canvassed board. It started with my unusual demand to use paints that were extra, left on my palette from whatever stage my primary project was at the time, and use this paint that was otherwise destined to be unused paint: perfectly good paint tossed painfully in the waste. A scrap piece of canvas served to wipe my pallet knife clean while paints went randomly onto and into no particular place. After slapping some color about, out of this abstract realm came a shape at the top end of the canvas. This would end up suggesting, to me at least, the outline of an eye which was to remain a permanent fixture, a focal point, pulling the representational out of the abstract,and ending up somehow with a colorful Eagle’s face. The image had revealed itself to me with just some chattering bands of violets that can be seen in the painting. This arc of color demanded a pupil, then came a beak, then the other eye. This was followed by some oilstick and a bit of planned detailing, and with that, this eagle came out of me.

I guess that’s pretty much what I do when I dont know what I’m painting.

Below you see my playing with separating and isolating colors in the digital realm, to end up with some fun, and maybe some future prints, as well. Let me know if you dig that idea.

This original oil-on-canvas is available to purchase, though not yet listed in my gallery. If you’re interested, contact me.

Meanwhile, in case I lack in doing another post before the new year comes along, have a great winter holiday season as we welcome the light back into our northern hemisphere!