When is a painting finished......

Lately, I've been working on a series of paintings that never seem to be finished. These painting were inspired by the works of Joan Mitchell who is one of my favorite artists. I like her pieces because they seemed to of been created almost effortless, like they were done without even a second thought.
Painting abstract expressionism is something new for me and I find it very challenging and inspirational to paint this way but one thing that's been on my mind is, knowing when to stop???
When do you know your painting is finished. Some artists can work on pieces for years and I don`t think they even know when they`re done.
Surely I say you must know your done when you`ve acheived the effect you were going for but what about when you don`t..??
The pieces I`m working on seem to have so much paint on the surface. I've been painting and re-painting constantly and they've reached a point that now I`m scared the stretcher will collapse. I`m so nervous cause I`ve changed them so much, I`m starting to panic!!! I even forgot what I wanted to acheive.
This morning as I was looking at them, I had a thought. What if you just keep painting them....... until either the canvas falls apart, or you die!
I`m kidding!!!!!
I think that a painting can certainly go on for a very long time and it`s really about the trials and tribulations of the artist. All the things that go through your head at the time, even your mood. I think the finished piece is finished only when you know you`ve put all your heart and soul into it and not one moment sooner.
Keep painting........ forever????

Monday Monday

What is it about monday morning that almost everyone hates?
I,personally don't find it that bad, especially after I've had my first sip of #@$*#@ coffee......ok, my first pot!!
Mondays can be kind of exciting. It's the beginning of another week. New things to think of, new ideas floating around and things to try at the studio. The beginning of another great workout week at the gym. The ever present "diet" renewed once again?? Sometimes, I find it hard to sleep on Sunday nights cause I'm thinking about all the things I want and have to do. I do have to admit though that Monday morning can be bad too. Can't get your tie on straight. No toothpaste left. Forgot your wallet at home......It's just that I don't want to give this day such a bad rap too often.
Every day of the week means something different. We talked about Mondays, what about Tuesdays...Personnally, to me Tuesdays are not too good cause you still have 3 days till the weekend.....Saturdays are killer!! All the people running errands, shopping, pushing, shoving, parking spaces, ahhhhhhhhhh.............
So Mondays don't seem that bad after all, do they.
So get the coffee, and have a great week??!!!!!!

4 Day Workshop

Last week I did a 4 day workshop on large format abstract paintings at the Visual Arts center in Montreal. 

We started our day doing yoga, some deep breathing and followed with some stretching exercises. Pretty interesting. It really, I think, helped us become more calm and focused and really helped bring out some interesting thoughts and feelings in our work. 

Nothing like starting off your day doing some yoga and then focusing on making art the rest of the day. What a great life that would be if we could make it part of our routine. 

The class was great, very different from I usually do at the studio which is, arrive-start painting-stop-go home!! We really have to take the time to unwind before we get to the canvas and start creating.

The workshop was a great way to start the year and get those creative cobwebs unstuck and flowing.

First one.....

Hello everyone,

This is my first official blog!!! Yipeeeee!!!! 

 I don't have much to write, right now cause I need to gather my thoughts first. 

The only thing I can say for certain is that I love being an artist! I love creating, discovering and all the challenges that come with art making.

Ok. enough for now, we'll talk soooon......