Recently I entered several paintings for selection in the Cole Gallery show in Edmonds, WA. They encouraged artists to submit smaller plein air paintings along with the same subject painted in the studio in a larger size. So I took some of my quarter-sheet paintings (11 by 15 inches) and painted the same subject again in a larger size, 16 by 21 inches. Here are the results in comparable sizes. Do you think that the larger paintings, which were painted more slowly and leisurely, are better than the smaller paintings, which were done quickly?
The first pair are paintings of Port Orchard Railway Marina. The buildings on the dock are actually green, but I changed them to red in the larger painting because I thought it would make a better contrast with the trees behind them. Oddly, I felt freed up as I painted the larger paintings, perhaps because I had more room on the paper to express the subject.
I like the larger sizes. What I really like is hearing you say you have found freedom to paint as you wish. That’s like a musician becoming free to improvise. You made a great growth step.
Thanks, Warren. Yes, every artist, no matter what field they’re in, wants to get to the point where they know the rules and yet are free to break them. Improvisation!
As I look at these paintings, I am reminded of a musician myself…a jazz vocalist I was performing with who was using the time before our performance to create a sketch of some nearby scenery. The sketch was lovely. The watercolors are inspiring! Bill, you have grown so much as an artist since I last saw you. Your paintings bring me back home and make me want so much to return immediately to the Pacific Northwest I love and never wanted to leave. Every picture is exactly as I remember it. You have a wonderful gift.
Nice to hear from you, Eileen! Yes, I have great memories of singing with you in the FloTones. Those were great times! Hope you have a chance to come back to the Pacific NW sometime. Thanks for your comments!