So as I painted I listened to A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. I was critical at first not knowing what to expect from a book of that title and being that I despise reading book reviews that reveal the subject of the book because it most often causes me to assume that I won't be interested (if it doesn't have zombies) I had no idea what I was about to hear. But... BUT! O.k. listen without doing to you what I hate which is revealing what the book is about rather then just confirming on whether or not the writing is legit, I am just going to say that Dave Eggers does that style of writing where he has a stream of consciousness and just lets it go and writes it out, but the whole book is not written in this way but when it was I wanted to stop painting and get a typewriter or something, his work is so inspiring it makes me want to write again. And not only that but I do believe that yes, the book is entitled quite fittingly because a heartbreaking work of staggering genius is exactly what it is, maybe it does sound a bit melodramatic but read or listen to it yourself and you will probably agree... I'm pretty sure it's a masterpiece!
I know what you mean about the intimidation of facing a blank canvas...I always tone mine with a wash of paint mixed from previous painting sessions because I dislike white canvas so much.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like it was a joy to paint, and I like the juicy textures and layering effect you got from the palette knife. It vibrates with color!
Sonya, Thank you so much for taking time to comment! That's a good idea to tone the canvas, I should do that!:)
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you as part of our Art Blogs by Etsy Artists Team.
ReplyDeleteI cannot start painting with a blank canvas.
I always deface it somehow, normally with a neutral tone with a rather random design left by the towel rubbing across the canvas.
Also, I cannot listen to audiobooks when doing art; it brings my mind into logical language mode, analyzing symbols, judging diction, noticing fallacious logic:
listening to audiobooks distracts me from doing the art.
However, I am a fan of listening to music, as I often feel the music and the rhythm while I draw and paint.
It is as though I feel the music, and it makes my lines and brush strokes more musical, more calligraphic.
Oddly enough, I get the same effect when writing.
Aaron Fung
What a small little world we live in. I bought your (now my) elephant ACEO yesterday, and returned to your facebook page to thank you for letting me know you shipped it today. I then bounced over here to check out your blog since you mentioned your recent post on fb, and saw this Doux Foret post which mentions Dave Egger's book - which I am currently reading! I'm on page 253 (out of 375) and I love it. I live in the S.F. Bay Area and have been to so many of the places he's writing about which makes it even more fun. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh - and I love your work! I should have mentioned that first, ha!
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