My father, Bob Martin (more appropriately known as Auntie Carrie’s nephew) is an excellent painter. I’ve grown up watching him paint and over the years, I have made attempts to approach my own paintings in a similar way. Long story short, it never happened. He’s trained. I am not. He is patient. I’m far from it. Yet, I certainly do admire my own work even if I achieve it in an unorthodoxed way.
My Dad has a wonderful section on one of his blogs, “Knowing: Art of Learning” called “How To Paint”. Simply put, he gives his followers ideas and suggestions on the painting process. I thought it would be hilarious to share with people, who may be discouraged by his posts (from his first brush stroke, his work is quite good), my “process”. My work literally arises from the muck. But I still love them. The final piece is the photo above. The following photos are of my steps along the way.
We all arise from the muck-remember “dust to dust” etc. I am constantly attempting to forget what I think I know and to stop correcting myself with my “training”. Just about every painting that I’ve done that I like are the ones that survive my training and created a life of there own.
While you might think your approach is unconventional it is that thought of unconventionality that brings breath and life to your work. So you are on to something.
Bob from the Bronx
I think this painting is lovely!
I will chime in from another perspective. Both of you are incrdibly gifted – absolutely. From the time I framed the paintings you did for a class assignment about age 5 (?) to today when I bribed you for your self portrait, I’ve loved your work immensely. Your style through the years has been consistently to see the world in your own distinctive way. I can imagine that all of the greats brought their vision of the world to life from the muck. I like my paintings too.