One of my concerns about this series of paintings was the size: 20cms x 13cms. These paintings would be finished in a day? How much time does is take to cover 260 square cms?, a single brushstroke for de Kooning.
Well, its the end of day one for ‘Bird in a tree 12’ and I am mentally exhausted. I shan’t even reveal how many hours my painting days consist of. I feel embarrassed. Thank god I do not share a studio with some energetic young contemporary with their metres of stretched canvas and house brushes. So what defence can I offer for these meagre returns at the end of day 1?
It’s the very size that creates a unique set of problems. Everything is condensed and concentrated. Every lazy brushstroke is magnified. Every poor colour decision diminishes the painting. The placing of each element commands more attention in such a tightly packed composition. Must I paint every feather?. No, there are still all those judgements to be made, what to put in, what to leave out. The endless battle to find the right tone!. Oh my god, these are such small paintings, must I still endure all this suffering?
There is no escape. I carry forward all my expectations at the start of the day, readying myself for the struggle.
Bird in a tree 12. At the end of day 1.