Every watercolor painting I do is unique, an original. This is true even if I am painting the same subject again, trying to get the second one to look like the first time. Variations in color, the jiggle of my arm when painting an edge, or changes in temperature and humidity which affect the paint’s drying speed all combine to make each watercolor an original, unique.
Karen Bailey, an Australian artist, asked me to repaint a couple of pictures I did last summer, and as I approached the task, I found myself almost paralyzed by the fear of failure. What if I couldn’t paint it again and make it look like the first time? Hollyhocks are not in season now, and I painted the first one from life. I tried all kinds of delaying tactics and excuses – studying the shadow shapes, looking at alternate compositions, and even working on other projects, rather than face the prospect of failure. But as I grew embarrassed at how long this was taking me, I finally got down to work and did another step each day.
Hollyhocks (the first time):
Hollyhocks, watercolor, 7″ x 5″
Hollyhocks (the second time):
Hollyhocks (#2), watercolor, 7″ x 5″
Hopefully I will remember the next time I go to repaint a picture that not trying is worse than failing, since it is, after all, just paint and paper.
21 comments
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February 1, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Playamart - Zeebra Designs
great post, amiga, and i love the hollyhocks! lisa/z
February 2, 2013 at 11:28 am
Ruth Bailey
They have been a cheery subject to paint in these cold days with snow outside and the furnace purring under the house. I’ve enjoyed the flowers you have posted, too!
February 2, 2013 at 11:33 am
Playamart - Zeebra Designs
thanks.. i’m working on a large contemporary color-filled painting, but i am itching to do a few botanical studies.
you’ll soon have real flowers coloring your life as springtime approaches!
February 1, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Katharine Trauger
Both are totally beautiful!
February 2, 2013 at 11:28 am
Ruth Bailey
Thank you, my encouraging friend!
February 1, 2013 at 3:41 pm
occasionalartist
It is lovely Rurh, I love how it is different from the first and it’s own representation of the subject. I also totally understand how scary it is to have to repaint a picture, having done it this Christmas for a friend. Thank you for the effort and I can’t wait to see it. Karen.
February 2, 2013 at 11:29 am
Ruth Bailey
I’m especially glad that you like it!
February 1, 2013 at 6:56 pm
lingeringvisions
I wouldn’t have understood this is if you hadn’t shared it. Scary to repaint a picture? I get it but more importantly your unique perspective is what I enjoy.
February 2, 2013 at 11:34 am
Ruth Bailey
Watercolor is a medium that is sometimes difficult to control, and Gwen Bragg, my teacher, was fond of saying that “Painting in watercolor is learning to love plan B.” Often a picture goes in a different direction than I may have intended, so trying to replicate a previous painting was daunting.
I’m thankful that Karen (occasional artist) likes this since she is the one who asked for it.
February 2, 2013 at 1:07 pm
lingeringvisions
I continue to be an awe of an artist
February 1, 2013 at 11:14 pm
timkeen40
Your talent and inspiration are evident. They don’t leave you even when you have had time to think about it….or not think about it.
Tim
February 2, 2013 at 11:39 am
Ruth Bailey
I appreciate the encouragement, Tim.
February 3, 2013 at 12:16 pm
yearstricken
Both are lovely.
February 5, 2013 at 4:45 pm
Ruth Bailey
Thank you. I appreciate you being my audience!
February 5, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Imelda
Wow! They are lovely – both of them.
February 5, 2013 at 4:48 pm
Ruth Bailey
Thank you, Imelda. I appreciate your comment.
February 7, 2013 at 6:49 am
Thelma
Ruth,
They are lovely as is the spirit of the artist!
February 7, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Ruth Bailey
What’s a sister-in-law supposed to say? I love you, too! Thanks for all your support.
February 11, 2013 at 1:45 pm
david.ronka
Great post, Ruth. Wow, you capture so well that performance-orientation that is so detrimental to our creative spirit! I like your strategy of just painting a step each day. I love how the second one turned out — a different painting and a masterpiece in its own right. I actually find the colors more brilliant in the second painting. Thank you for taking risks as an artist and putting yourself “out there.”
February 11, 2013 at 7:57 pm
Ruth Bailey
Ah, David, it is good to know that I am not the only one who struggles with the detrimental emotions of “performance” and creativity. I was able to do the second painting for Karen much faster than this one. It, too, turned out with more brilliant colors. I think that doing something a second time is a good opportunity to enhance the original, if possible. Thanks for your comments.
March 2, 2013 at 11:26 pm
ShimonZ
Hollyhocks, I love them.