There’s a state of grace that comes from being given a second chance -and another shot at old artwork. A method of self-critique many artists employ is to turn a questionable artwork to the wall…and leave it there, for years, if necessary. A few years in the limbo pile gives the eye time to refresh and some perspective to develop. Now (hopefully) the flaws can be seen- along with some sort of creative solution.
Perspective comes in many forms, including natural disasters. Artwork that came through the storm with no damage has been evaluated with a tougher eye for quality. The 21″ x 27″ pastel above was done in the studio from field sketches drawn alongside a burbling tributary of the mighty Amazon. It went on exhibit last year in “Drawing the Motmot” at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.
I pulled this big pastel from its sleeve and asked myself: Did I like it enough to keep it? The answer was no, not entirely. Meaning, I liked part of it, but not all of it.
I cut out the part I liked.
It got easier after that. More pieces have been pulled, evaluated and reworked. Sometimes it’s a go, other times the piece goes back into the drawer (my version of turning it to the wall) for another long spell. Sometimes it gets pitched.
Another direction is to turn lost works into new ones. A lost drawing of a black-breasted puffbird sketched on Barro Colorado Island was scanned before the storm. I redrew it onto specially prepared, hand-toned and shellacked Rives BFK paper. It’s a technique developed by the Old Masters back in the day, one I’ve been playing with, and it’s a beautiful and striking look. See what you think.
I’m getting ready to start a big new work on wood panel. It was delivered today off the back of a truck- a cradled birch panel measuring 5 feet by 4. I’ll hoist it onto the wall. I have some field sketches I’ve been playing with, and they’ll get drawn onto the panel once the gesso base has been layered on and sanded down . It will, at least, be sturdy. I’ll post progress as I go, but this one should be an adventure.
Drawing The Motmot 
Gorgeous, as usual! And hooray for second chances …. your work is wonderful and inspiring.
I’m very interested in your work.I would like to get your e-mail to communicate more directly.
Your talent never ceases to amaze. Wonderful work.
Penni Jo
More like a resurrection I’d say.
Fantastic that your work is so lovingly cared for.
The new version of the black breasted puffbird is a golden feast for the eye.
So good to see your work again.
Looking forward to seeing the new work on birch panel.
Reworking is a good thing. I’m sure some folks gasp at the idea of ripping apart (literally) a work of art to get to the gem. I’ve done it a few times to good advantage. Love the puff bird.
For some reason I happened to notice the tags for this post a day after I’d read it for the first time. Adventure? I didn’t remember that. Then I saw the last line. It does sound like it will be an adventure, and I hope a fruitful one.
I’ve never been one to tear up my works, though I have many friends who have. Two different ways of working I think. But you sure have made good use of your reworkings here. Both the Golden Eagle and foliage near the Amazon look really strong in their reincarnations. And the puff bird just looks great either way!
A few years ago I took a jigsaw and cut a finished painting down the middle. One half was entered in the Birds in Art juried show at the Woodson Museum in Wisconsin- it was accepted, too. Sometimes the parts are preferable to the whole.
Ken- sliding out of the comfort zone is an adventure. Scaling up and working large is a stretch-I hope by making it big it will feel more like a piece of habitat. If that fails, I’ll gesso over and try again.
Thanks for the great comments- keep them coming!
I loved what you did with your pieces. Keep posting!