Mary-Louise Biasotti Hooper's Artspan Blog

www.hooperart.com

Painting What I See: 

I am an oil painter and teacher.  Recently, I embarked on a new venture in painting for me--painting from the soul!!!.  In the past, my work has been about nature, places I have visited around the world and viewer recognition of place.  These painting were produced through an analytical process of drawing, value numbers, color mixing specific techniques including scrumbing.  I began by picturing the final work, completing a value underpainting in opposite colors and painting over that with the true colors using a palette knive while scrumbing. I sold much work.

But, for a year, I have been feeling the need to do something more. I strugged with this, read an lot, listened to others [even my students] and finally I identified the need--it was to paint what I feel--paint with more expression and emotion.  It was a long, emotional journey, but I made it.

Painting What I Feel: 

Now, I am embarked on painting from my emotions--painting what I feel about things and about how I experienced them--what Georgia O Keeffe called "Equivanence".  It begins with identifying what I am passionate about, putting a canvas on my easel and beginning to paint.  There is no plan and usually no clear vision of a result.  To date, I done 8 paintings. After the third, I realized I was painting  my beloved New York City. So far I have done 7 of those. Then, my love of sunsets [I live in Florida} emerged  and I completed 1 of a sunset on the ocean.