A detail from a painting still in progress. My favorite giant, Svjatogor – The Protector of the Mountains! This is a large painting (70X100cm) and the composition is in many ways complex, it takes much time and energy to do it right. However, once it’s finished, I hope the audience (especially those who will be able to see it in person) will think that the painting was done quickly and without a fight (which is of course not true). Beside the fact that, when working on a painting, I always try to please myself first; in this particular case, pleasing the client who commissioned it is every bit as important.
Petar - he looks fabulous. You have some very thick paint on there. How long will it take to dry and is that ever a problem or concern ?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Larry,
DeleteBecause I often use much of the painting medium, it does not take too long for the paint to get dry, from a few days to 5 -7 days in case I use Titanium White abundantly. Generally, the drying time is not a problem for me because of two reasons: firstly, I work alla prima (wet on wet); secondly: it takes me from a few weeks to a few months to finish a painting. By the time I need to retouch some thick impasto parts, the paint is already sufficiently dry.
You are still one of those few artists whose paintings evoke the bite principle in me. I have this terrible urge to lick and bite the surface. You wield paint as if it oozes from your own body.
ReplyDeleteHi Bill,
DeleteAs you probably know, the trick IS to make the audience believe that all goes very easily and spontaneously and that the paint indeed “oozes from my body”. :-) In reality, the only thing that oozes from my body while I paint is my own sweat, blood and tears. Your kind words are always much appreciated!
By the way, when you will stop by for a cup of good Turkish coffee? I am still waiting… :-)
If it were up to me I would buy a ticket today but life seldom works that way does it? I should be in my afternoon years enjoying the fruits of labors during the morning and midday of my life. Alas my life is even more complex now with the return of children to my house and the addition of grandchildren, health issues of my wife, etc. It will take some doing and massaging of my life but I will do my best to make it happen.
DeleteI know you would, Bill! And I would be delighted to have you as my guest! I am not sure if my Turkish coffee alone would “shake your life back into consistency”, as my good friend Mark Thelosen claims, but with a little bit of help from a glass or two of good old Serbian Sljivovitsa (plum brandy) it would certainly do the magic. Seriously, I am really sorry to hear about the health issues of you wife and I honestly hope she will get better soon!! On the other hand, I want to congratulate you for becoming a grandpa!!
DeleteBy the way, a few days ago, while looking around an old shabby dusty bookstore, I came across an artbook of a little known painter somewhere from the Balkans, with a strange, almost unspeakable name. Although most of his work is rubbish, there are a few delightful pieces in the book though. So I thought to myself: “Perhaps Bill would like to have this book”! :-)
I presume you are still at the same address?
...And is'nt that the way the cookie crumbles...? A wise man named John once said: "Life is what happens to you while making other plans...."
ReplyDeleteStill, Bill, if you ever have the time and the opportunity, you should really try Petar's Turkish coffee, I really, really recommend it
It will shake your life back into consistency....I hope health issues and other situations will be resolved in a positive way for you soon...
Mark
Hoi Mark! :-)
DeleteThank you Mark, kind words. Petar, I am at the same address and would love to see anything you send. My wife and I had a wonderful evening with friends yesterday. We enjoy her good days.
ReplyDeleteThe book is on its way to Boise, ID, Bill! I don’t know if your wife shares your artistic taste, but I hope there is an image or two in this book that will please her as well!
DeleteBest wishes to both of you!
...Hoi Petar :-)
ReplyDelete