Wednesday, May 25, 2016

less is more...


Sweet Dreams
Acrylic on 30" x 30" canvas

Private collection


This painting was a gift created for my daughter Elsie with a specific color palette request.  The painting will go in her bedroom  that is being designed with coziness in mind for her home in Nashville, Tennessee.  Compositionally, she challenged me to work with less and with limited color.  Definitely a more minimalist approach for me. 

To be honest, I really wasn't sure and thought that I would get really bored painting this as it isn't (hasn't) been my approach style. But, I love her and wanted to do this for her.  I surprised myself!  I found working with a limited color palette and simpler composition forced me to become more engaged with all the subtle variations and overlays.  I found that with it's limitation, I enjoyed and observed the simpler things that were occurring. There was still a painterly decisiveness when applying brushstrokes. 

It was a wonderful experience for me which changed and led me to the next collection of paintings that I would be doing. I do know have those completed and photographed, so will begin releasing them....and posting them here!





4 comments:

Linda said...

Your paintings are beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing. :)

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

its a great piece, intrigued by your observations as you worked in a more minimalistic way.

Carol Flatt said...

Beautifully done! Can't wait to see more!

Elizabeth Chapman said...

thank you each so much for your comments! always enjoy receiving and reading them. appreciate you!!