Painting is a process. It starts with an idea, maybe a subject or color, a form. Then you coax it onto the panel, the canvas, the paper. While you are trying to put the idea “down,” life and everything else in the world interrupts and intersects with that wonderful little idea and turns it around. Sometimes it takes years before the essence of the idea is realized and the painting is finished. I recently received some paintings back from a dealer who is moving, and as soon as I saw the paintings, I couldn’t wait to get back into them. Three years is a lot of time to rethink and learn. I can see more possibilities in a subject now, and the opportunity to explore has conveniently presented itself.

Deepest Summer was a lovely painting, but when I looked at it after a few years I could see more ways to open up the space and light and extend the color range. Below is the new version, followed by the earlier version.

TM8438 Deepest Summer 36×36 oil on panel

(earlier version)

TM8438 Deepest Summer 36×36 oil on panel

Let the Moments Last has been through a series of changes, each time working its way toward more light and subtle color. The newly revamped painting is below, followed by a close-up detail shot.

TM8463 Let the Moments Last 36×36 oil on panel

TM8463 Let the Moments Last – detail from left side of center with reflections, floating maple and willow leaves

(original version)

TM8463 Let the Moments Last 36×36 oil on panel

Pond Poem was and remains a quiet meditation on the color blue and time passing. The newer version intensified the blues and lightened the glow of light. I also decided to strengthen the leaves that were in the painting, and add more, which established a stronger current across the width of the “pond” and provided more movement, all while giving me an excuse to add spots of color. I removed a few tiny lilies – they were too small to add much to the painting and took away from the essential quality of movement and time passing.

TM8373 Pond Poem 36×40 oil on panel

TM8373 Pond Poem – detail from just above center right with floating leaves and luminous cloud reflections

(earlier version)

TM8373 Pond Poem 36×40 oil on panel