When I started this painting, it was light and bright: fluorescent orange, pale yellow, plenty of white. I really liked it, but I knew it needed more layers and interest. I’ve been finding the world a bit dark and difficult. There’s so much going on, and it can be hard to shut off from the news or even just from the news headlines.
The more I painted, the more all of those feelings came out onto the canvas. By time I’d done my second or third pass, it was looking dark and ugly. It was nothing like the light, bright painting I’d started with. I stopped for the night and decided to let it dry because if I continued, it was going to turn to mud.
What was on the canvas reflected my mood at the time, but what would happen if I painted a light, bright mood instead? Would it impact how I was feeling?
Tonight I got out fluorescent pink, fluorescent orange, blue, and white and started layering back over the top. I simplified the composition, took out fiddly details, and lightened the overall feel. Once I’d redone the pink, I adding very pale blue and some white highlights.
By the time I’d finished, the painting looked better and, to be honest, I felt better too. Does my mood influence my art? Yes, of course it does, but does my art also influence my mood? Absolutely. It’s a good reminder that it’s worthwhile painting out my feelings, but also that I can alter my mood through the art I produce. (The piece probably isn’t finished yet, but I’ll sit with it for a day or two)
Cath Sheard Art 