xJAM13: April Studio shots

I've been wanting to get some shots of the new work but it's been like pulling teeth getting them done. I haven't worked over paintings like this in ages. I'm not sure where they are pointing me to, but for now I'll be happy to make work just like these. These works are much smaller than the other works of the last six months. Sometimes condensing the work down helps with composition ideas and the greater concepts as well. I'm particularly pleased with these three most recent completions. They speak to me, telling me I'm on the right track without having to forsake all the completed work of recent months. These pieces have taken more than two months to reach completion. Now that I've landed here I'm certain that the many others in process will be close behind. Gratifying.

I'm going to start using these smaller works as studies and build constructs after them. I haven't used studies in a few years. I've been plowing into the unknown and it's been rewarding but at the same time blinding. I think to see clearly I have to look at the work I'm pleased with and literally study what I've got and what is working. Right now it's the release of photo reference. It's liberating to be free of the photograph. I don't know how far I'm going to go with the imaginary treescape in this vein but it's right for right now. I'm reveling in the abstract.

April 2008