Abstract

Here's something you probably didn't expect to see from me. I belong to a group called "Loosen Me Up" on Gary Reef's Ning Group. He recently posted the first exercise which was "painting to music".

I really enjoyed this exercise. There were a few firsts for me. One, take a tip from Gary - do it outside next time! Two, I actually used my easel for the first time ever - I bought it years ago with good intentions of taking up painting! Three - my first ever abstract.

I used colours that would go with my studio. I used a canvas that I had started a folk art painting on many, many years ago and never finished. It always bothered me to see a half completed painting just sitting there, now I don't need to be bothered any more! I debated on what to do the painting on - should I waste! a canvas, should I used poster board, butcher paper - what? Ultimately I am happy with the choice I made - I really like my painting and intend hanging it on the wall of my studio as a reminder to be more loose and free when I paint.

Oh, the music that I painted to in case you were wondering was ABBA Gold - haha, showing my age now. I used a very wide brush to start with (probably 4" wide) and then grabbed a brayer which was lying nearby which happened to have rubber bands wrapped around it, some bubble wrap and then finished off with a paste brush to flick paint everywhere (and I mean everywhere - I had a bit of cleaning up to do). Having said all that - I still have to loosen up a lot more which I look forward to doing as Gary's Ning group exercises continue.