An Artist's Quandary. When is it finished?

 Hi there. How are you?

I've been back in the studio, making work for the fast approaching art fair season. I've been starting lots of work.....but not finishing it. Let me explain.

I'm always good at starting a piece. Ideas and compositions come to me quickly. I like to work intuitively and spontaneously. I like to work fast. The finishing is where I get stuck. How do you know when a piece is finished? I have a tendency to overwork things, so I get nervous at the end.

This abstract piece was based on a drawing from my sketchbook. I finished the drawing part of it, but it seemed to need something, but what? I was pondering another collaged paper element somewhere on the right side of the composition. Or maybe it needs nothing at all?

Same thing happened with my newest bird piece. I finished up the bird and branch, but this piece still needs something. I usually add a little cut paper embellishment at this point.  I experimented with that for a time, but nothing felt right.

Instead of rushing things at this point, I've learned it's best to just leave them for a spell. I'll come back in a day or a week and something will come to me. And sometimes the answer is just to do nothing....It was already done.

Fellow artists, makers, creators, do you ever struggle with this? When do you decide that a piece is complete? How do you know? Do share!

Thank you friends for tuning in. Ta-Ta for now!

New and Notable

Hi there. How are you?

For quite a long time now, I've been thinking about and talking about turning my abstract Moleskine doodles into a sell-able product. (Read more about that here and see some drawings here.)

This week, I finally made it happen!

The "Trade Winds" series as I like to call it, is a collection of 4 drawings I did on a vintage National Geographic map of Africa. I like the way the map gives some interest and context to the these flowing abstractions and I love the little bits of red text.

The line actually flows from one piece to the other. 

Though these pieces were created in a group, I really do think they can all stand on their own. Each piece has its own title, usually coming from the text on the map.  This one is called "Off Dakar, Feb 15, 1954."

I like how the map backdrop helps to further the implication of movement and/or travel.

Each piece measures just 4" x 4" and is mounted on a 3/4" deep panel. 

All four pieces are for sale individually in my Etsy shoppe.  If you are interested in purchasing the entire series of 4, please contact me.....You will receive a discounted rate. I have already had an inquiry about purchasing the whole set, so do act fast! 

Do let me know what you think of these new pieces, and do enjoy your weekend! Ta-Ta.