November 23, 2014

“We work in the dark – we do what we can – we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art.” – Henry James

In September I was away from home working at our annual convention. On the first morning with my room service breakfast, I was brought a small little daisy in a tiny glass vase. Sitting there with the morning sunlight coming through the window I loved how peaceful it looked. So I photographed it. I continued to take photos as the poor little thing slowly died. This is the second of what I intend to be a series of six images. I don’t think they’ll read exactly like a progression – that’s not what I’m working towards and the treatment I intend for each of them varies. I’m somewhat daunted by what I will be attempting with a couple of them, but I figure that regardless of how they turn out, I am committed to finish all six and if nothing else, it will be a learning experience. I’m also starting to play around with a few new oil paint mediums. I enjoy working with Gamblin’s Cold Wax Medium, and with the beginning of this piece I’ve tried out Gamblin’s Galkyd. Not sure I like it, but I will play some more and suspend my decision for awhile yet.