Mother and baby boy – Wayback Wednesday

mother and baby boy
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After my mother passed away back in 2010, I became obsessed with painting mothers and their children. It brought me comfort in a dark time. This was one of my favs in the series I did in 2011. It’s good to see it again after so many years.

I think I used a couple references photos for this one, but I’m not sure. I remember all my paintings, but it’s hard for me to remember actually physically painting them. Unless I film myself, I have no real recollection of the painting process. I’ve painted hundreds, probably thousands, of paintings between then and now.

I’m in the middle of revising some old portraits this week
WIP

I never do this anymore, but I used to spend a great deal of time thinking about painting when I wasn’t painting. If I was in the middle of a painting, I’d map out in my mind how I was going to finish it before I went to sleep at night. I would go over it a million times, obsessing over the steps I needed to take to get it where I wanted it to be, and allll the details.

WIP

Then, the next day, I’d throw caution to the wind, and paint in the moment because I couldn’t remember all the steps I had mapped out in my mind the night before. It was too complicated. lol

WIP

Confidence in yourself as a painter comes with experience. I finally was able to let go of all that thinking. I never plan out my next moves anymore. I paint intuitively, in the moment, and when I’m done for the day, I can walk away, freely. I trust I will start where I left off automatically.

It’s kinda like driving a car. You think about every little thing when you first start driving, but after a month or so you gain confidence, and you don’t think about it anymore. You just drive.

PS: This is a reminder that I’m closing down my Etsy shop on Nov 5th when the last of my listings expire. There’s still time to purchase what’s left.