This last week I have been in a state of limbo deciding on the type of finish I should do on 9 new framed paintings. I sought advice from my partner, my sisters, Facebook communities, and artist friends and I had narrowed my options down to a light or mid-light ie. not dark natural wood finish. My way forward still lacked clarity. One wise person had advised that whatever I decided I should apply to all the frames, so that they all look unified together on my panels at an upcoming Art Fair. This, I thought was a good idea.
I had all the paintings standing in the hallway so that I could ponder their destiny as I walked by, hoping that an epiphany would strike on one of my trips to the loo. None did. Finally, my partner ferried them all into the spare bedroom in preparation for the weekly floor cleaning. Can we just pause there, and can I urge you to read that last sentence again.
Yes, my partner now cleans the floors. This is the man who I have lovingly referred to as ‘the messiest man in the world’, and he is. However, along with that nom de plume he also can be described as a ‘very house-proud man’ and ‘one who cleans toilets daily’. I have often been envious of friends whose husbands cook, but honestly, I think I have hit the jackpot with a partner who cleans. I would much rather cook than clean, and it appears he would rather clean than cook. After 19 years together, I think we have found our groove.
(The secret to finding this happy communal living is to cook well and rarely clean. You may have to endure accusations of slovenliness, much eye-rolling and shaking of his head, but persevere and in time he will take on the mantle. As long as you show appreciation and allow him to buy a powertool to assist with the chores, you may never find yourself on the end of a mop again.)
However, it doesn’t solve your framing problems. As I am discovering, I’m on my own with this one. A week into the decision-making process I have decided that each painting requires individual analysis, and one frame finish will not fit all. Even though they will for 3 days be presented together at the Art Fair, unless I am extraordinarily lucky and have a buyer roll up with a need for 20+ paintings of varying sizes by the same artist, I can safely assume they will not end up on the same walls in their forever home. Epiphany No. 1: Unity as a collection shouldn’t supersede the best outcome for each painting. They all have the same style of frame, and they are all painted by me. They are imbued with my style; I think this will unify them as a collection at the Art Fair.
On the strength of this I have waxed and buffed one frame. I have painted the canvas edges of the painting and secured it inside the floating frame and happy am I. Now with secured confidence I am about to choose another painting to analyse, decide on the action required and set about finishing today.
On reflection, this process of decision making and being stuck and stalled in indecision has given me renewed insight. I see this in many artists who ask my advice about their paintings. They are stuck, they have a hunch on what they should do, but they need affirmation that this is the right course of action and they lack courage to act in case they ruin the work.
This moment, or time, sometimes days of being stuck can be derailing. Just as I did with my framing dilemma, we can flounder around asking everyone for advice, opinions, next steps… while lurking underneath a growing fear of not being able to solve this, “I’m going to stuff this up”, I JUST NEED SOMEONE TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!
But really, our paintings can only be solved by ourselves. We have to take the brush and make the necessary marks our way, although a little direction from those with more experience can be helpful. But be wary of casting your net too wide when asking for advice – social media is full of well-meaning generous souls who will give their tuppence worth. In the past I have made drastic changes to paintings in reaction to comments or number of likes on Instagram. I have learnt over time that my own judgement is more reliable.
The power is in the act. When you are stuck the only way forward is to act and do something. Anything, turn the painting on it’s head, rotate it, take a different size brush and drop it on the painting, put some mark down – this will lead you forward and give you something to respond to. Being stuck in indecision is powerless. Small steps forward will give you the momentum to move further along and before you know it, you won’t be stuck …. well, not until the next painting anyway.
Any step is better than no step, and you will only grow in confidence when you begin to take those steps and move forward. Take advice, but filter it with discernment and then take your step YOUR way. Trust the process, and have faith in your ability to adjust and learn.
I’m off to take my next step with frame No. 2, but with renewed confidence after the success of Frame No. 1. We are all learning and moving forward.
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How do you know when your abstract painting is finished? In this video, I take you through the process with one of my paintings, showing you what I didn’t like about it and how I fixed it and finished the work. I talk about what I focus on and what questions I ask the painting in order to gain clarity around what steps to take next.
1. Make a big move to disrupt the work and make a big change
2. Rotate the work so you see it differently
3. Ask: What have I got?
4. Look for repetition and ask: Do I need this? Have I already got this somewhere else?
5. Is my eye led around the composition?
When you have worked through these questions, and you’re happy with the work, stand back and walk away. Look at it again after a few days to see if you still feel the same.