Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Art therapy

I've started painting. I'd toyed for some time with the idea of dabbling with paint and canvas, not in any serious capacity, but as a hobby. The original idea was to try my hand at abstract stuff, not ever having had any talent for drawing; I figured it would be a good stress reducer -- it was about time I found a new hobby -- and that I might actually end up with a painting or two that might look good on my walls.

I've been at it for nearly two months now, and I've been surprised at how much I enjoy it. There is something deeply satisfying about sitting at my dining room table in the evenings with the stereo or TV on, and experimenting with different images and techniques (you only realize just how talented the impressionists were when you try to replicate what they did with colour), and having finished products that aren't half bad. They're not half good either, but I have produced a few things I've been happy to put on my walls.

I've also discovered a few things:
(1) people are reaaaaaaaaaaally hard to paint
(2) I quite enjoy, and am actually fairly good at, painting fish
(3) abstract expressionism is harder than you'd think
(4) living in Newfoundland stimulates the impulse to paint landscapes
(5) I have a bias toward compositions that juxtapose unlike elements
(6) buying painting supplies can become addictive

Anyway, here are a few of the pieces I'm happy with.



10 comments:

Shammickite said...

I like the painting of Signal Hill with the coloured houses in the foreground.... very StJohns!
Hope you are enjoying living in St Johns, I love visiting there!

Unknown said...

Very nice. I especially like the first one. Are you using oils or acrylics?

muffintopdesigns said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chris in NF said...

Acrylics ... I'm still a little scared of oils, though acrylic's tendency to dry even as you apply it is starting to irritate me a bit. I've been using acrylic retarder to slow it down a little, and that does help ...

Lesley said...

Just don't grow a fro and start teaching on PBS. That guy is good, but he scares me a little (and yes, I know that he's probably dead). But I hear you on the addiction. I took a cake decorating class (yes, I know, not the same) and I am seriously addicted to buying supplies and wanting to take classes. Until I actually have to prepare for my classes and then I remember why I don't want to do it.

Anonymous said...

i really like the second from the top as well.

Unknown said...

I would love to see Chris with a Bob Ross fro!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Ross

Your fish are very impressive, I've dabbled with both oils and acrylics myself and although the latter of the two dries quickly it is far more irritating than waiting on oil to set. How are you enjoying NL?

Nikki Stafford said...

I can absolutely see a couple of spots where you could put a happy little tree. :)

Cool work! Love the fish.

Chadwise said...

Trade you a bonafide photograph for a bonafide painting? ^_-

Anonymous said...

Looks like the kind of crap I'll see in a yard sale 10 years from now.