Liz R. Derksen - Artist
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Artistic ADD?

8/13/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
I've discovered that there are some subjects which I paint that I can get lost in... or perhaps distracted by.  I know this can happen when I'm not painting as well.  I can't go for a hike without being absorbed body, mind and soul, by a tree, or the sky ... or the mountains.  So often when I paint, I find my focus shifts and it is difficult to create a "focal point".  I think that having a focal point is something that is important to the composition of a painting... but I must confess that I do struggle with that in my own work.  

For example... this painting was inspired by a recent hike.  I was absorbed with the patches of red on one of the slopes and started painting in my mind.  I noted that the trees were of a certain shape... and I noted the beautiful distant mountains.  So when I went back to my studio and started this painting... i knew exactly how I wanted to paint the slope, and I did.  Then I started on the sky and the distant mountains.  As I painted the sky... I felt the wind, the coolness, the vastness and forgot about my slope.  

Then, of course... the trees... which are never ever an afterthought for me.  Ideas kept coming... and I actually went down in the middle of the night to try out a colour I had been thinking about.  I forgot about the slope again.

So... then I wonder as I look at my painting.... do the trees distract from the slope?  Does the sky take away from the trees?  Is this a well-composed painting?  

I think perhaps lots of artists question their work.  Painting is such an experiential thing for me... i really get lost in it.  I think that is one of the things I enjoy about it the most... disappearing into what I am painting.  I also LOVE... being able to share what I see.  

This painting is called "High"
2 Comments
Shelley Whiting link
10/22/2015 07:05:58 pm

I love the free floating nature of this piece. It's very entrancing and magical. Beautiful work.

Reply
Liz Derksen
10/22/2015 10:04:26 pm

Hi Shelley
Thank you so much for viewing my website and taking the time to leave a comment. I painted that one after a hike up in the mountains above Sun Peaks. I'm happy that it caught your attention. :)

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    Liz R. Derksen is an artist living in BC.  

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