Well, I'm consciously reaching for something different; trying to think more about color and shape, and less about line and rules of form...but still about light. Although, there is the familiar equine subject again moving within a circle, like a stage setting...I'm trying to fragment it into blocks of color and light. It's not painting from life, but it is an impression of life (my surroundings) after a good walk. I like to walk a few miles down Peachtree Street. The rush of cars and figures against the buildings and trees (Atlanta has beautiful trees in the city) are, to me, rich and visually stimulating. Walks alone allow one to really focus and engage with the details; The bare winter trees and the yellow light contrasted with blue shadows striking against them, the concrete train trestles and arches, the curvature of the street ahead of you, and the character of faces that meet you head on. This all provides, to me anyway, a starting point and inspiration for work in the studio.
"Yellow Metal", detail, acrylic and mixed media on canvas, Andrew Portwood copyright 2012
Just a little detail from a larger pastel drawing. I really like the color in this one, and more abstract elements with a broader and open pastel stroke. Today that rule applies "Less is More", I am going to be consciously aware of this when I paint on larger canvas sizes. After working at such a smaller scale with the monotypes, one has to "proportion up" with a larger brush, more paint and "use those Arms" as opposed to the wrist!
