A lot of artists tend to paint variations on a theme: country landscapes, undersea scenes, flora, etc. Their narrow subject matter gives them easier focus as well as the opportunity to quickly hone their skills toward mastery. I kind of envy them a little.
When I’m finishing up a painting, I know that I have another one looming, one I haven’t committed to, yet (I don’t consider it a true commitment until I’ve spilled paint (or whatever) onto the support). Other than an accidental penchant for headshots, there isn’t a lot of thematic rhyme or reason in the works I choose. Sure, there are subjects that I wish to give focus: mythology and, especially, women’s sports; but by and large I’ll go where my interest (or, on occasion, proffered money) takes me.
For example, my current work-in-progress wasn’t at all something I’d hankered to do. I fully expected that I’d be painting an action scene of some women’s sporting event. But when I looked at the blank canvas on the easel, all I could see on it was a landscape — not unlike Verdant Venture…. While I’ve never been one to rely on divine inspiration to propel my creative works, I also don’t summarily dismiss these impulses when they happen. I’m a creative. I appreciate the Muses and other interested deities when they deign to help, so it would be rude not to tilt a bit toward their desires when inspiration comes knocking. I’ll include a link below to a TED talk given by Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) when she talked about this existential symbiosis.
After I push out this current work, I do expect to do another action, women’s sports piece — likely with painting knife. Sure, it’s not something familiar and traditional like a landscape, still life, or whatever, but I’ve always been one who prefers to “shoot where they ain’t”. It’s kind of more fun that way.
I also want to return to scratchboard sometime this year. A major reason why it’s been so long since my last piece is, again, not wanting to go the easy, conventional route (for scratchboard that is fur, feathers, and shiny metal). The medium isn’t nearly as easily amenable to other images, but I’ve lately seen other scratchboard artists venturing into more diverse subjects. (A minor reason is that I’m experimenting with a new technique that has yet to be as consistently successful as I’d like in order to move forward.)
Other mediums, as well, are on the docket. I do color sketches with gouache, so it might be time to attempt a finished piece. I’d also like to do something with the casein paints I have on hand. I feel these insist on a style, if not subject matter, more in tune with the early-to-mid-20th century, when these were the illustration mediums of choice before acrylics hit the scene.
And that, I hope, explains a bit of why my subject matter tends to jump around a bit. While I do have a couple of subjects I intend for long-term pursuit, I don’t want to settle in with just one thing. I’m a generalist (seriously — I have the college degree in that to prove it), and like to put as many tools that I know how to use into the ol’ toolbox. If it garners sales, fantastic. If not, well, at least I’ve entertained myself.
And now, the aforementioned video:
