You know how I like to reuse my reference photos, right? I have evidence of that all over my blog. I’m constantly repainting a painting I love. I usually leave a little space and time between each re-creation. In some cases, years will pass before I repaint an old favorite.

Last week I wanted to mix things up a bit, and I painted these girls on three consecutive days. It was my first time using this particular reference photo, so I wanted to break it in right away.  

The only time I feel alive is when I’m painting.
Vincent van Gogh

I didn’t want three exact copies, so each day I approached the painting slightly differently. These all have a first layer of oil paint, and are a work in progress. The first two were painted with brushes, and the third was painted exclusively with palette knives. I’ll be showing you close up photos of all my knife marks soon. Also, I’m recording the process of all three of these gals, so the videos will be going up on my youtube channel at some point. 

I started this oil portrait project last March, if I remember correctly, and I haven’t begun to put a dent in my stacks of 6×6 hardboard yet. I thought it was going to move along much faster than this, but I seem to be finishing paintings at a turtle’s pace or at least it seems like it when I look at this crazy stash of mine. And, on that note, I’m going to wander off into my studio, and maybe give one of these girls a second layer of oils, and see what happens from there.  

You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.”
― Thomas Merton 

Listening to: the soundtrack to This is Us. 

I hope you had a great weekend, and are rested up. We have the entire week stretched out in front of us. Let’s all paint like mad.