There are eight works in the On My Marks series and most of them have changed quite a lot from those first marks.

“Switchback”, below, is the most successful I think.  It’s going to be the inspiration for another series shortly.  I like the sky and the variety of marks and shapes that make up the “land”.

Reactions vary when my arty friends see me working.  It’s interesting to see who likes what and sometimes their preferences are predictable.  My favorites are often different again.  Regardless though, I keep plugging away towards some sort of resolution.

Resolution?  It can be at one of several stages.  Things might feel unsatisfying or uncomfortable to varying degrees.  The best result is to be feeling excited and inspired to move forward.  There’s a large range of perceptions between the two extremes of unsatisfied and excited!  The “unsatisfying” paintings are set aside, in “halfway hell”,  to be reviewed sometime in the future.  They might get a touch up if there’s something to improve, or they may end up in the reuse box.

This one has been a challenge.  A problem child that wouldn’t cooperate!  It’s going to “halfway hell” or the collage box.

This fellow feels fairly comfortable. It’s “almost” there. “Almost”, why is that the case and what do we do about it?

The in-between/barely comfortable paintings sit, waiting for alterations or until another conclusion is reached regarding their fate.  Are they done or not?  Not everything can be “exciting”.  They may, however, be happily sent out into the world.

The “exciting” ones are listed on the website and entered into suitable exhibitions.  There are only two in this series that feel “exciting” at this stage.  “Switchback” (above, at the start of this Studio News) and “Refuge” below.

“Refuge” is one that felt exciting to varying degrees along the way.  It’s a starter for exhibitions etc.

Bearing in mind the different opinions of others when deciding these things is fraught with danger.  You need to make decisions yourself otherwise you’ll forever feel uncomfortable about what happens with particular pieces.

Putting the doubtful ones aside earlier, rather than later, frees you up to build on what has been successful.  Some would prefer to keep at it, trying to resolve things, but I like to put them aside and move on.  Depending on how far aside they are put, I may review things later and do more!

You can see my available art at Bluethumb.