Sometimes the simplest things are so satisfying.
A few weeks ago, I noticed that a friend's new business office could use something on the walls. I suggested paintings. She thought that could be nice.
To give the "show" some cohesion, I decided to make all of the paintings be still lifes. I selected pieces from several different years and many different painting techniques.
To me, still lifes are in-between paintings. I like doing them, but I don't always attribute great import to them. In fact, I use them to explore color combinations, paint thickness, coarse painting, fine painting, different surfaces or underpainting, and everything in between. So, in some ways, I'm more relaxed about them.
On the other hand, many times I'm convinced, upon first finishing a piece, that it's terrible. Then I put it away & ignore it for days, months, years even. And pull it out for something like this show. Sometimes, when I pull it out, I like it, and I can even see a new direction in which I can work.
That's what happened with these apricots. Seeing them again in the context of putting up a still life show, I like them. Something about them works for me. Maybe I'll explore it a bit more.
