Gestures

Painting is an active practice.  

Movement is essential - and the larger the canvas, the more physical the practice becomes.

I still love my small canvases, but I am finding I need more space to express what needs to get out me and onto a surface. So, I have been starting to paint on larger canvases. Even stretching the canvas and attaching the canvas to its frame is physical. Regardless of the canvass size, the act of painting an intimate, meditative act for me, and a larger canvas requires a specific type of movement. It requires larger gestures. 

Gestures.

Broad, sweeping, whole body types of movement.

Moves that are quick, intentional, whole movements from my shoulder and elbow area because there is more 'ground' to cover. I am finding that the canvas must be placed on the floor or table where I can easily move around it. It is a physical, meditative act that is easy to get lost in. Freedom. 

I am finding that those gestures more easily convey the intangible and unspoken thoughts, desires, longings and love as well as joy, pain and loss. Layers of emotions, experiences...expressed through the power of gestures. 

Owning art is indeed a luxury for the collector, but painting is essential to the artist.  

Those gestures must find a home. 

Image of my drop cloth with paint stains.