February 2025: creating study pieces and adding abstraction

Here are three small paintings of 1920s era flappers. They are all painted on 8x8" canvases. I created these as study pieces to see if I wanted venture into painting larger pieces in this style. I have come to he conclusion that I don't! But, I do favor the one in the middle, because it appears more loose and abstracted since the flesh tones are different than the other two paintings. The others seem too "cutesy" to me and, THAT is not my thing. I don't resonate with that at all!

Below is a painting I've titled, ASCENSION. She's painted on an 11x14" gallery canvas. I love the abstracted elements in this. Going forward, I'll be experimenting with it (and other abstractions) over the summer.

I'm surprised how far down the rabbit hole I have gone with painting. Since picking it up during the pandemic, I haven't stopped and actually have no plans to. While I wish I would have taken up painting much earlier in my life, I'm happy with where things have been going. I can see now how much my painting has progressed from where I began.

It's an interesting journey. Not sure where exactly it's all going, but I feel the need to create on a regular basis. Will I paint more faces going forward? Most likely. But, I'm not limiting myself to the possibility of changing course either. Freedom from mental constraints here is a gift I give myself.

So what about making cohesive artwork? Am I all over the map if I take detours and experiment? I don't think so. Experiments have taught me some valuable lessons. I have no barriers (aside from myself and $ for materials) to play and create however I'd like. I'm intrigued and interested in surrealism and abstracts so it's possible I may play around in that area in the future. Time will tell!