What I’m loving about acrylic painting is that you can completely wreck something in every way: colors don’t jive, composition is all over the place and the texture products you tried so that a certain effect would happen sort of … didn’t. And yet! The surface has a new life, thanks to the power of covering it up and starting again! This was painted on a 6×6″ piece of acrylic canvas paper.
Do my trees in every medium I’ve tried need lots of work? Sure. But in this case, its past life, and all of that texture and depth underneath this painting actually helped it seem like more of a completed work. Perfect background? Far from it. But hey, it was resurrected from the trash! So I am saying yay today, even though my trees still wanna leaf.
And so art, once again, is a metaphor for life: We may have layers that aren’t perfect, or even pretty, but the lessons learned add layers of depth, understanding, warmth and compassion, making us more beautiful, even as the years go by. I hope your Wednesday is wonderful and that you and your trees are dancing like they mean it! Peace.
Lovely painting and metaphor!!🌴
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Thanks so much, Jodi! love your tree hehe!
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it’s all I’m seeing this week 🙂
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Love the little bird house in it. 😉
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thanks! I couldn’t resist adding it lol
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I like it!
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You’re a good man, Steven! Thank you. 🙂
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🙂
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That background is great…the texture makes it look like collage. It’s a good background for a tree, but I don’t think the tree was necessary. I would trust those abstractions to find their own way. Did you photo it before you added the tree? Would be interesting to compare. (K)
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Great feedback; most appreciated, Kerfe. I was watching videos about painting realistic trees in acrylic and wanted to test out the technique. So I figured I’d grab one of the “do-over” paintings. I didn’t take a photo either of the original art fail or the background as it looked after I scumbled the green paint over it. After adding the tree, it looked a little stark against the background, so I added a red iron oxide wash here and there so it would blend in more. I love those lines from the texture paste. Absolutely love. I love the tactile experience that acrylic paints and mediums are. I enjoy working with clay too and it reminds me of that feeling. I love your comment about “trusting those abstractions to find their own way”. I need to remember it; I think it’s really important. This was more like a tree painting exercise that went awry, but the reason I posted it is that it surprised me when I kinda liked it in spite of the tree. It’s given me a whole new perspective on “failed” paintings, and a potentially really cool avenue in terms of jumpstarting an abstract piece. Thanks again for your very helpful feedback.
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I like it too. The starkness is striking. But I think the ground could stand well on it’s own.
I don’t remember to do before photos most of the time either. But I do often let things I’m not sure of wait for a day or two.
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Great late fall/winter tree! Awwww, love the little bird house, Laura! 🙂
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hehe, thanks, Donna! Already dreaming about fall 🙂
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Your tree and background is lovely, I am considering getting out the acrylic, purely because of the reasons you have stated, if I go wrong it can be corrected, yay for you and your wise tree.
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I really hope you do, Rebecca! Although can you paint over bad oil paintings too? Or is it more complicated in oils?
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Yes you can Laura, it’s just the waiting time is getting to me now…keep thinking have a break and do some watercolour, but I have four left unfinished, with oils at different stages, and I really need them out of the way, finished. I did finish another slate in oils today, but to tired to post it…oh maybe I will??
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I understand the too tired thing, but I’d love to see! 🙂
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I did it, quick but still, it feels good to post 😀
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I’m starting acrylics! I haven’t touched the paints yet, but I’m learning a little about the medium, so I’ll soon me joining you in your acrylic fun. I hope to discover a bit of “abstraction” within myself — all of which has been inspired by your posts and paintings.
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Awesome, Judith, thrilled to hear it! I’m finding abstract work so freeing and healing and fun! I bet you will too!
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Henri Matisse said, “creativity takes courage.” And, Laura you are very couragous with your exploration of art! Art never needs an explanation, it just is! Have a beautiful day. I love your new painting today.
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Thank you, Sharon! I love your line “Art never needs an explanation, it just is.” That is so wonderful. Lots of great, thoughtful feedback on my crazy little tree today, so happy about this. ❤ Always good to hear from you, friend!
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💕🌺👯 happy painting, can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! It’s a good quote for me too!
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It’s moody and mysterious. I love it just the way it is. N.
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Thank you, Nina. You know, it’s growing on me too. If it were October, I think I’d like it more because autumn is my favorite time of the year anyhow. Really glad you like this and thanks for making me like it more too.
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I love this painting! don’t go for perfection because there is beauty in the imperfection. I rarely see a “perfect” tree in nature, there are always knobs or an off kilter branch…..I think you are coming into something Laura….letting go of something and starting to blossom. 🙂
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Margaret, I think you are, too! Maybe this is what daily painting does? I really appreciate your feedback, and I’m so glad you see some type of positive upswing/change. Thanks!
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So true! I love it, process and result both. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Iris. Really appreciate it ❤
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I love your tree, Laura! 😄 Great form and with a birdhouse too! 💕💖
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Thanks so much, Jill! If only it were raining down pink petals and had a white chair below it. ❤
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Lol! And a furry cat on the chair! 😃
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Yes, yes! Can’t forget dear Jack!
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Awesome texture in this one Laura. That is such a sweet bird house hope its home to someone. LOL 🙂
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lol this tree is very loosely based on my favorite tree in our backyard, from which a house hangs that my hub built for the birds hehe! 😀
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I can really get into this painting – great textures and background that draws you in. For resurrecting the painting, an amazing scene emerged.
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Thank you, Mary, very much! I learned a lot by painting over that old painting! It does tend to make you less afraid to make bad art hehe.
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Couldn’t agree with you more!
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This is awesome! What a cool piece! The background creates a cool effect that’s nice and surreal. And who needs leaves when you have a lovely little birdhouse! Hehe… loved that touch! 😍
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Thank you Charlie! Definitely makes art fails more fun! So glad you liked the little birdhouse. 🙇🎨
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I like this. I used to deliberately customize small foam rollers by snipping shallow holes then rolling thick gesso onto box canvas frames with them before over painting in acrylic. Reminds me of this effect.
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Sounds really cool, Nexi. I’m glad you like this. I learned a lot from it. I learn so much from every painting; this May project has been a great exercise. I feel like you’d mentioned that technique before and it sounds interesting.
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wonderful! and I love what you said about how the lessons add layers of depth and compassion. its so true. it may not be pretty or perfect, but it sure does add those layers!! 🙂
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oops, hit enter too soon. I loved the textural effects of the back, and the coolness in it as well compared to the warmth of the tree’s trunk coming forward!! 🙂 3d
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Thanks, Debi! Appreciate your feedback on this! 💜
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The background and the texture is amazing especially the lover part. Love those colors 💖
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Thanks grlie! Love resurrecting an art fail!
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Loving all the texture in this painting and your sentiments about life. If we do not try how can we ever learn? 🙂
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You’re so right! Thanks, Carrie!
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Nice! 😉
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks, Jean! Hub actually named this one. :))
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Some of my most favourite paintings I’ve done have been going over old stuff that wasn’t working…..the previous layers definitely add to the final piece, like patina.
I love the background of your painting, and I love the tree without leaves – I think the strong form and structure of the tree complements the background.
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Thanks, Vicki. It’s really reassuring to hear that about going over previous work. I do think it added so much to the final painting in this case (if indeed it really is final hehe). I appreciate your feedback. I’m posting a new abstract piece in the morning that may also become background fodder for another piece lol! 🙂 I am loving that about acrylics though, an option I didn’t really have with watercolor that I really appreciate.
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I noticed the bird house, so cute, come and join me at my new blog address: https://lauramnphotography.wordpress.com
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Thanks, Laura, glad you enjoyed!
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