...attempt at a masterpiece: snow, rocks and trees in northern New Mexico, USA. I work in a very sketchy, painterly manner. This canvas is very large 38"x46" and I painted with great focus for about three hours (my usual morning routine). I'm interested in learning much more than producing a finished product. Therefore, I never try to finish my work any more. I just go as far as my interest and energy will carry me and then I stop. Sometimes I'll do another such session on a painting like this to see if I can carry it a bit further. Usually, though, I wipe these off so I can re-use the canvas and start all over again on a different subject the next morning. The idea here is to gain experience through starting over and over. I know I can finish paintings if I want to, but I'm deeply involved in the process of learning right now and have been for over two years. It's all about reaching my fullest potential as a painter and this is the way there for me.
But when will I get something I can save (a "keeper)? I get those when I step back from the canvas and decide that I want to save it. I've saved just two in the past year, but that's ok with me because I know that through the constant starting that I'll eventually save more and more, having reached the level of skills I'm aiming for.
