Work in Progress

     I love the saying, "A Work in Progress". It can mean so many sins. For instance, when I sit down to put paint to canvas, I have an image in my mind. However, once I start, it can easily spin out of control. This morning I envisioned a figure in pastels - soft greens, peach, baby blue. I painted the figure. When I came back to add arms and a head, I saw the shoulders were way too wide. Short of resorting back to the fashions of the '80s (think "Dallas" and "Dynasty") I had a problem. 

     So I thought I would make the most out of it and extend the shoulders into arms.  Easy, no problem, right? Wrong. The arms were out of proportion and impossible to paint over. So I decided to combine the trio of colors into a "speckled" background. Now I was looking at a figure surrounded by a multi-colored background (sans arms). In my mind it resembled one of those pictures of a figure against a wall of wallpaper, in which it disappears into. 

     There was no bright color I could add to bring the figure forward. Best to let it dry and see what I could conjure up to save the painting. My options included tossing the piece or painting over it. Not be defeated,  I decided the figure would become a fairy with wings (or angel of mercy). It was a waste of time, energy, paint, and emotion.

      With new paper, clean brushes, and a fresh pallet of paint, i started again. This time with a bright red background and 2 figures. Brush down, I stopped there. 

Looking back on it, It's not the "work" that burdens me as much as the "progress".... or lack there of.  Perhaps this is where the saying, "Labor of Love" comes from. Nah. On second thought, perhaps this is why Van Gough cut off his ear.