I've long been a bit of an archivist.
I started writing a journal in 9th grade to vent my extreme irritation that my younger sister Laurey had somehow wheedled a rule-breaking extra cookie for dessert. Following that start, I kept journals faithfully and regularly for about 20 years.
I started a diary of sorts my senior year in high school, using an engagement calendar, in which I jotted activities, books I'd read, correspondence, and the like. I continue that practice.
I started keeping photo albums once I had children and kept up with albums until my kids were grown and on their own.
I like having personal archives I can reference for all manner of reasons … including messy middles, which brings me around to this blog of mine in which I have been keeping a record of my painting adventures for the past seven years, starting a year after I took up painting.
I love seeing process both in my own blog and those of other artists. I love seeing starts. I love seeing messy middles. I love seeing starts and messy middles resolve into completed paintings.
Here is today's messy middle, a rough draft, if you will. It awaits revision, editing, and polishing. I'm eager to see what surprises emerge once I begin playing around with it.
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messy middle—work in progress |
6 comments:
Wow, gorgeous right now
Well, thank you, Carolyn!
I LOVE this as is. the warm, subdued palette. I am drawn down that vortex, so eager to see where it will lead. Bravo Dotty. Inspiring, your record keeping habits. :)
LOL that you are now the 2nd person saying they like this piece as is! Thanks for your feedback re warmth, subdued palette, the movement of the vortex.
My record keeping habits have served me well, brought great delight on multiple occasions, and have settled arguments of family memory more than once! I appreciate your affirmation, Sheila : )
You have brought so much depth in this piece. What size? This could be a larger piece, framed and on the wall! Perfect palette!
Carol, wow! Thanks for your comments. I appreciate your seeing the change in depth between initial scribble and subsequent early development of scribble. I'm fascinated by the responses to this piece—so glad I elected to document a bit of its unfolding, showing it in a messy middle place. I'm grateful to be learning quite a bit.
In answer to your question: tiny art—4.5 x 6" on drawing paper.
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