red abstract and the missing piece

Good morning world.

Last night, I attempted to paint in warm colors.

I tend to stick with the cooler colors (blue, green, etc)

but last night, i felt like red for some reason.

Of course you just know i'm gonna sneak

some blue in there somewhere...

I wonder sometimes if it's a good idea to take photos

during the process,

since i often end up liking an earlier step

more than the finished piece.

(i like the simplicity of this step)

This is the painting, flipped.

I liked it better this way last night.

This morning, i'm not so sure. 

But hey, it's a painting, not brain surgery

so i try not to question the process much.

Then i added this crap...

and no longer liked it at all.

 :-(

Again - it's a painting.

No room for regret here.

Isn't this every artist's dilemma?

Not knowing when to stop

and call it done?

Oh well. 

Today is a new day.

My heart was saddened yesterday

by the tragedy in the Aurora Cineplex.

This no doubt affects how or what we paint.

On another note,

i bought myself this book yesterday at the 2nd hand shop.

This is my addiction.

Books.

I admit it.

:-)

It's a cute little story about a "missing piece"

who goes out searching for where he fits in the world

so that he can roll around like the others.

He then discovers (thanks to the BIG O)

that rather than try to combine his shape with someone else's,

if he tries to roll on his own,

eventually, his corners will soften

and he will also be able to roll!

It was probably written as a lesson

in independence or courage,

but in a way,

it made me sad that he was conforming

or changing who he really was - a triangle -

for the sake of being like the other circles.

I wanted him to remain a little triangle

and be proud of his little corners,

rather than conform

and become a circle, like everyone else.

I know,

i probably need therapy.

;-)

I'll be catching up on your blogs this weekend.

Yay!

So looking forward to seeing what you've all created

during the past week or so.

Thank you all for the thoughtful comments.

It's good to be back.

xox