The Frustrations of a Painter

Oh, life as a full time painter must be grand, you think. But even the most exciting career paths have their frustrations. I can promise you that.

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I've started on three massive canvasses, measuring 72 inches in height and 54 in width. I can reach only so high and then must place them on the floor to finish the top sections.

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The problem with large works is time. By saying time, I mean never having enough of it.

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It means that one day I will be controlled by a certain mood. That mood will take hold of my actions and, as if the paintings were painting themselves, the mood will display itself in the work. The next day, when I reflect on my progress, my mood has most likely changed and I am unhappy with the last day's results.

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Today, once again, the canvasses have changed. Perhaps for the better, perhaps for the worst. I can't say for sure just yet.

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I scraped back number one, and have now over-painted it in a beige colour as I felt it was becoming too pink. Tomorrow I must sand down the surface and re-draw.

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As a rule, I generally do not draw on canvasses, just go straight to the painting, but that is a dangerous move on such large canvasses. It would be easy to lose my way in the structure of the painting without a guide.

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It is in my nature to let a work reveal itself, so to speak, rather than start with a pre-conceived idea. This, however, is not quite happening with such large works and it means I have to introduce some discipline into my approach. I will have to commit early on to an idea.

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There are always other frustrations, of course, namely countless phone calls. I really need to be able to fully focus on these works to complete them as they will be featured on the front page of our new catalogue, which is in progress as I write.

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I have delivered my painting Girl with Pink Obi to a woman who has many very good works in her home. It looks wonderful. She is testing it out before she commits to purchasing as many buyers understandably like to do.

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I may sell her my oil on paper, Girl with Pink Lotus, which she is also interested in. My plan was originally to make prints of it first, but as they are a bother to do and would take ages to produce, it doesn't seem sensible to hold it back. It made me realise that some other oils on paper may be better just to frame and sell now as well. I have held back on selling them in the past, but there is no point in letting them sit in a drawer.

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It is good to hear from Olivia that Sunday was a very busy day in the gallery and some good prospective customers dropped in. I'd like to welcome you to stop by as well, even if it is just for a browse. Jiq Jaq at 112 Heath Street in Hampstead is where my work is on display, and as the weather turns to Spring, it is in a perfect location to continue on a stroll up to Hampstead Heath.

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I have also just found out that Graffiti Magazine is now available to download at http://www.graffitimagazine.co.uk/forthcoming.htm. There is a short article on me inside as well as an advertisement for our gallery.