The work progresses, as do the textural layers. I have just flat painted the entire panel so that I can assess the build up of layers and to see where more are needed, and more ARE needed. The two panels that I am working on, “Salt flats” and “Eroded volcano”, are so completely different from my perspective, that to change them over and work on the other is a complete visual rest. They are getting so heavy now, that my colleague is unable to help me move them, and I am concerned about moving them anyway, bit of a problem there. Maybe I need a new studio! (only kidding!)

I started work on my first large panel way back end of march, and came to a shuddering halt,knowing that I had gone as far as I could for then and that I had to rest it. This resting period can be over very quickly or can last a very long time, or may last for ever or until you overpaint or scrap. During this time I leave the piece is plain sight, so that I view it regularely during the course of my work, it is a kind of subconscious weighing up, and at some time hopefully, inspiration will come. I can now say that last friday during a long telephone conversation, during which time I could hardly get a word in edgewise, I had one such eureka moment. During the course of the very long diatribe ensuing on the phone, I was wandering around my studio, picking up this and that, and suddenly my problem with my panel was solved, it just popped into my head fully formed and ready to go. I quickly noted down what I had to do to resolve my panel issue, continued my phone call, and when it was concluded, set to work. I have to say, although still a work in progress, I am back in business and the panel progresses.Very satisfying indeed.

I have just re-read my last blog, and I have to say that the work just continues. There is a saying, that something regarded as boring, can be said to be as boring as waiting for paint to dry, and alas this is somewhat similar to my situation now. I am still building up layers of gesso, and the entire panel is grey, wet grey, dry grey, textured grey, etc etc. Inbetween working on the panel I continue to create my gesso spheres, some can be called dribble spheres as the process is somewhat akin to dribbling, this also is a process of application and drying time, building up gradually layer by layer, and for someone of my personality, which can sometimes be impetuous, it is a lesson in time management and patience. I have also a private commission to work on, which takes me back a little to some previous work, with glass and wood, and it will be enjoyable to revisit, and also to re look and maybe extend this body of work. It is I think good practice every now and then to look back and take stock of the artistic journey that has been taken, and the choices made along the way. I thought back to what inspired me to work with glass, and why I chose to create kiln formed glass as opposed to blown glass, and although glass has very unique properties, such as translucency, and light reflection, it was still texture that had to be an intrinsic ellement. My kiln has not been used for a very long time now and I’m not even sure it will work when switched back on again, however after this body of work has been completed I am anxious to work with glass once again. Note to self “write that down on the to do list”.