WHEN IS AN ARTIST'S WORK FINISHED?

When is an artist’s work finished? 

Part of being able to know when you're finished is not putting too much pressure on yourself. 

Once my painting has left my studio, I consider it finished. 

    

When the final correction to a manuscript, when the composer writes the last note of a symphony, or when the painter puts the last brushstroke on the canvas.

    My paintings are painted upside down for at least 40% of the time while working on that painting. 

    For some artist it may take years before a work seems ready to leave the studio.

    I paint at least five to six paintings at a time to keep from getting stuck on one painting due to many hours in the studio.

     Having a fresh painting keeps me on the move and never get lost in a painting. 

    Unfinished paintings waiting to dry for the next coat, are hung on the walls in my hallway.

   Starting a painting after I sketch, then apply a thin coat of primer 

for the values. I then let that dry for a couple of hours before I start the next layer.  

 I paint some detail on most of my oil, then I go back and paint the impressionist brush style.

   I love to use bright colors on most of my work.

Some of of my paintings are more on the softer side with natural colors for landscapes.   

Here is the stages of "SIRENS" in image I took from Port Townsend while having a glass and listening the Irish music from this band. They play on Tuesday nights there at the Sirens pub. We became friends when I shared and gave them prints on my next visit. Still friends today and they play at the Global Bean in Silverdale, WA.

        "SIRENS, Port Townsend, WA

        First primer and sketch.

Here is the second coat about a week later, due to drying time.

 Slowly coming together very nice.

Here is the finished Painting and a fun painting to paint.

Sold

Prints available on Fine Art America

Information on my website

MartiGreen.com

CINQUE TERRE

Here is another painting . with displaying images of my progression.

  Oil painting 30x40  1.5 inch sides with mirror painted sides.

Painting available for sale.

Contact me through my website email.

MartiGreen.com 

MOVING BEYOND MY COMFORT ZONE

Comfort Zone

....... You've heard it before. "Move out of your comfort zone" is the familiar phrase spoken by many entrepreneurs. gurus and mentors. I've come to appreciate the sage advice from my instructors, artist friends, viewers. and clients. to move beyond my comfort zone in my artwork.

    I had to get through some fears and concerns about making the move to start painting portraits.....

......"The comfort zone is the great enemy to creativity; moving beyond it necessitates intuition, which in turn configures new perspectives and conquers fears......"Dan Stevens

    Learning a new medium and not knowing your paints, how the paint moves, blends and dries can set you back in your painting skills for several months. When dealing with gallery contracts and commissions, time is very limited and to be taking a risk that could set me back several months in my work, is always a consideration. 

    I have been reading about painting portraits in oil for the last several months while working on other paintings. Taking that challenge to start has been a great move forward. I'm glad to have broken that barrier to a new adventure. I feel I have a long way to go yet, but with me staying focused and pushing my limits will keep me moving in the right direction to be a better painter.

    Images below are the very first portraits I have done. I will always study to improve my work....  

......Be willing to step outside your comfort zone once in a while; take the risk in life that seem worth taking. The ride may not  be as predictable if you'd just planted your feet and stayed put, but it will be a heck of a lot more interesting. Edward Whitacre, Jr.

.... Posting my paintings in stages on Facebook helps the viewer understand the process artists go through getting the painting completed. Posting also inspires the artist with the next stage of the painting and helps motivate the artist with keeping focused in the studio.

I thank each and every one of you for all your support. You all are the reason to push my passion to be better.

This painting is still in the works and much more to do on other art in process. This is a study only..... Thank you for viewing...

You can also follow me on Facebook as Marti Green Artist..

martigreen.com and on "Fine Art America"  marti-green.artistwebsites.com       

Kristin Portrait

Richard Sherman Portrait

from start to finishThis Painting is finished and prints are for sale on Fine Art America       marti-green.artistwebsites.com