I am finally on to the next painting, and have been so caught up in various projects (watercolor exhibition upcoming, gallery renovation, teaching commitments) that I am only now posting this, the final version of Konahua’nui.
The first thought that comes into my head is that, yes indeed, I will be painting this again. In the evening light perhaps, but it will happen again. It’s too rich a subject ( and convenient, I might add) not to take up again… I saw too many possibilities in treatment of this subject as I brought this particular version to a close.
Konahua’nui 20 x 24″ oil on linen
But it will be a while… I have new beach subjects in mind. Something stirred me up as I walked Kailua Beach this morning with my parents; beautiful colors in the shadows, figures peering out from the shade of the Ironwood groves into the glare of the morning sand. Aquamarine and Lavender everywhere. I have a nice 20 x 24″ (or so) hand primed linen that is dry and waiting. Perfect for something I saw today, and so hopefully tomorrow AM I’ll have some pencil work done.
The “hopefully” part brings up an issue I will have to comment on some time. Artists and time/life management. You simply must protect your painting hours, almost religiously. The world is constantly pressing you not to paint, to give your time over to it, and it’s often for good reasons. A big part of this is learning to walk away from the world and the bait it waves under our noses. Artists can’t have it all, I don’t think. We have to choose between the culture and it’s trappings, and the austerity of the artist’s life. Whenever someone asks me what’s selling, I never really know. I’m not thinking of it much, but I’m usually disappointed a bit in the question. I’d rather be asked what I’m seeing, I suppose.
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