(In) Completion of Art

For me to feel like my painting is completely finished as a piece: well i have never experienced this. i can't describe the circumstance of event because i haven't lived it. This description of situation is equivalent to me talking about what it's like to marry a rich, power hungry meathead, it's far from what i will live.

I imagine though that if i had a piece that felt and looked to me to be a complete work of art, everything that i meant to express would be clearly represented by symbols or expression, there would be no tranparency in colour anywhere. lines that are meant to be straight would be. all cheeks are well blended. a finished painting will not give me anxiety or frustration to view aesthetically like my unfinished ones.

Which brings me to my memory: i need some new paintbrushes and paints. The more i paint, the more i spend because cheap quality brushes shed bristles or harden. Cheap quality paint goes on transparent even after 2-3 layers. I paint so many layers on every painting i have because i want the consistency of colour to be ripe, the definition of shape to be fit, the physique of form to have depth and temperature. Most importantly, the language of symbol to have well thought out concept.

No, a painting is never complete, how can it be when time does not stand still, even though it doesn't exist in a linear line, like illustrations do.

All at once, waterfall of process

I am at the stage in my life where i actually have a dedicated room in our suite ('our' being myself and anica), to my paintings. It feels fantastically organized. I work on all of my paintings at once. I am using one colour and that one colour goes onto ALL of my paintings that need that specific colour, this way i only have to clean the brushes, palette and paint one time. per layer that is, because all oil painters know, that a painting is never really done because of the fading, the cracking, the transparency, the tiny mistakes, the change of mind for colour etc. hahah, oh paintings take several years to complete. so i have a shower curtain laying on the floor of my wood floors otherwise . . . well you know. paint stains!

The paintings posted below are 2 examples of my current work. 'The judgements of a stranger' is a long time ongoing piece, 12 x 16" oil on canvas which started in 2001. I have changed the patterns, colours and design of the image several times. The concept is in relation to the layers of time and place of atmosphere. linear time does not exist in this portrayal, but somehow growth and motion do.

The other with the yellow background is a brand new piece i just started on some canvas' from holland, my oma bought me (thanks oma), which is david suzuki on top holding a snake and myself on the bottom canvas on the bottom holding my mothers potted plant. The concept is self explanatory, and if you feel confused of the concept, well then that's that.

The judgements of a Stranger

Exhibition, but first organization!

I am preparing for an exhibition in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I have a lot of work. 97% of which is oil on canvas, political work. 2% is pointillism, framed in gold art deco and glass. 1% is a 6x7 foot canvas which is currently rolled, i'm going to have to stretch it IN the gallery before hanging, because of it's massive size. It is extremely bright and in illustration style.

I still have to decide on a show title, which hasn't even crossed my mind yet, but i'm confident of creating something spicy and politically charged.

My dilema however is the undeniable fact that my work is so political and fumingly racey that i dare even propose to the galleries that actually interest me. The galleries that i predict would be interested in showing my work are the 'underground' more communal type venues are the (stereotypically) less known, smaller galleries, with poor organization skills, no proper signs, advertising, media and even 'cleanliness'.

Personally i have had one too many exhibitions where i have to sand and putty the previous shows nail holes, repaint, hang my own work (hanging i don't mind doing myself), make my own vernisage promotions and buy the wine for the opening. In some cases i actually even paid for the location. Don't even get me started!

I am deadset on having several exhibitions simultaneously even. solo or shared. In the very near future.

So come on Hamilton gallery owners, get organized, mop the floor, get your clutter out of back area, which is visible from the front window, promote your gallery and your artists, have a catchy sign, be professional. Then i will exhibit with you all.

If i only ran my own gallery space, i would control this all.

My Australian Painting