Still struggling with focus, attention span, and care for detail and accuracy. Feeling pretty blah.

[GreenPartyVoter]

But, I painted the old Cherryfield General store anyway.

[Ohiogal]

1. You aren't alone.

I’ve started three paintings and scrapped them all. Just no focus these days.

Good job on the one above! Those houses with the gingerbread are a challenge! You handled it nicely.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Thanks for the support. Just an awful feeling, isn't it? I love the fussy details and had wanted to

be tighter on them, but they turned out fine in a loose style too.

[dweller]

2. the building in the background

looks interesting too, adds perspective and contrast

✌🏼

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Yes, I loved that building too. Older architecture just has a hold on my heart.

[BlueDawn]

3. Love your painting....

It must be hard to be struggling with your focus and attention span, but your painting is lovely. It really is.

I am an artist.....well, I should clarify and say that I used to be an artist. I haven’t painted in years. But I really do like your technique. There is a freshness and spontaneity to it, which I very well know is not easy to achieve.

When I was in art school, we students constantly struggled with being too “tight“ and perfectionistic when painting, and our teachers would encourage us to loosen up and be more bold with our brushstrokes. Some students were never able to achieve that.

I also love your colors, so beautifully juxtaposed. You know, I am not familiar with the old Cherryfield General Store, but I feel as though I am standing right there, taking in the view and imagining all sorts of scenarios that might have taken place inside those walls years ago.

It is a little piece of history, isn’t it?

I hope you enjoyed painting it. I have certainly enjoyed looking at it!

(And you’ve inspired me to paint!)

[lunatica]

5. I like your critique!

I always try to say more than what describes the painting or artwork. I try to explain why I like it in as descriptive a way as I can. I believe artists like to hear such things, as long as they’re kept as positive as possible.

Since art is a timeless subject then you can show your “old” work. I sometimes post work that I did 40 years ago. That’s the magic of art. It’s timeless and can be freshly experience no matter how long ago it was done. Can you post some of your old work? I hope you can!

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Thank you so much! I started out much tighter. In that respect, losing my patience has helped

with being looser. I would have liked to have done the cool details with more definition, but it turned out fine. As you can see from the door, the building is collapsing in on itself, dying by inches. Like you, I had strong feelings about the life this place has seen, what it meant to its community, and my heart broke that such a handsome edifice was left to crumble alone. So I think that really moved me to try and capture its soul before it was too late.

I hope you do get painting again. Do you have pics of your early work around?

[flying rabbit]

4. I like it. nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Thanks!

[bif]

6. Very charming!

I like the loose style and colors.

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Thank you!

[lunatica]

7. Well your funk hasn't affected your paintings!

I’m a true believer that all artists are always looking at the world with an eye to painting what they see or feel. Productivity is a false measure in art and people should always allow and experience feeling emotionally down or being in a funk. We are human beings, not painting machines.

If anyone is being relentlessly cheerful and productive right now, with our entire world turned up side down and with our realization that in so many ways we cannot go back to the status quo of the past, then there’s something wrong with them. Our mental health is taking a beating right now. To deny it is impossible if you’re a decent human being.

A lot of our art is internal, even when we paint from life. Your subconscious, or super conscious is always doing creative work, even if we don’t manifest it in a piece of art.

Having said that, I think your painting is totally charming and warm. You are integrating all you’ve learned about painting and returned to your older way of depicting building structures. I’m not stating any preference on my part because I don’t prefer one of your styles as opposed to another. I love your depictions of building either way you render them. And to see you return to your free hand depictions as opposed to the more disciplined architectural renderings is delightful. I’m grateful you haven’t lost that aspect!

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Thank you! My mental health is definitely taking a beating. LOL I was happy to return to a looser

freehand style that matched my focus level. I think, too, this piece was about the story of this proud, dying building and I wanted it to be more expressive. I felt a warmth thinking about how mush life it had seen and a sadness that it would soon be over. Empty buildings have always made me sad that way.

I have a piece that’s been lurking in my head, sort of percolating until I am ready. I saw a tree today, that belongs in it. It’s an autumn theme, so I might wait a bit for that one. Cool crisp air and colors in trees might get me going. In the meantime, there are always more little building portraits to do. oh, and I found a blue bottle shaped like a bass fiddle at a yard sale that I will try doing a sketch of.