Jumping off a cliff

I started this painting of the Cliffs of Moher a few months ago, then put it aside.  I pulled it out the other night to see if it is salvageable and added a few more layers of glazing to it.  Its 30 x 40 on a stretched canvas using oil paint.  The problem is that the canvas is old, not fabulous quality and when painted, the crossbars are showing through as seen here.  Getting an image of the painting has proven to be more difficult than the canvas.  Size, lack of daylight, etc., etc.  But you get the idea.

Can it be saved?

My thought is taking it off the current stretcher bars, buying some new, better quality bars and restretching it.  I haven't tried this before, so I don't know if it will work, or if the marks of the crossbars on the painting are permenent and won't be eliminated with stretching.

Or should I simply chalk it up to experience and let it become fodder for a bonfire in the field.  Perhaps it could give birth to some new charcoal.  The more I look at it, the more I think it is destined to be classed as an experience and left to live out its days in the utility room or lining a wall in the barn.

I try  not to become frustrated with paintings or tools, but this one does frustrate.  Maybe that's a sign to leave well enough alone.

Jellyfish finale and winners

  The Drifter

3" x 5" oil

canvas panel

I spent a little more time on the jellyfish tonight to finish it up and set it free to float downstream. As always, it looks completely different in life and has an inner glow which is what I was hoping to achieve.  The tentacles are whispers of lines for the eye to put in.  Too much and it detracts from the airy feeling and gives it a grounding which I don't want.

So from the tiny to the large, another boat painting will go up on the easel tonight.  Or at least the bones of the drawing of it. 

And now, the winners of my little heart give away for tonight.  Tracy Urban from my Facebook artist page and Carol Lee Beckx who both commented on the post and/or joined my FB Artist page.  Congratulations to both of you, your hearts will head your way as soon as you provide me with your mailing details.

The littlest things

I paint and draw in a variety of sizes, usually dictated by the subject, but sometimes not and more the mood or the medium.  One thing I haven't done a lot of of is very small paintings or miniatures.  Tonight, I didn't have much time for painting and started doodling with a jellyfish on a 3" x 5" canvas panel.

What always amazes me is that it takes virtually the same amount of time to create a small piece as it does a larger piece.  And I always run out of space on a small piece.  I never seem to gage it correctly and the cut off point comes sooner than anticipated.

This little jellyfish isn't complete but another session should finish it.  Oil again.  These remind me of visits to the seashore when the children were small.  Scouring rock pools in Lyme Regis or Seaton, the girls with bucket and spade in hand and always hauling home some sea creature, rock, shell or pile of sand.  Vicky, the sea anenome.  That's a whole other story for another day.