TNT Artspirations Web Site

Thursday, 24 September 2020

Light in the Darkness

Hello Friends,

Today I'm going to share a painting that went through a few changes before it found its sweet spot and its title. 

It started as an acrylic pour I did more than a year ago as a practice piece for a commissioned painting. I saw the beginnings of a figure in the center of the butterfly and planned to flesh it out at some point.

This past July, I was invited to paint during a special worship/music service at a local church. I decided to bring this painting to see what I could make of it. I was quite pleased with the evening's work, but knew I wanted to detail it even more.

Over the next couple of months, I picked at it when I could. I liked how it was progressing, but didn't feel it was quite what I wanted. I'd lost some of the translucency of the original, so that was a bit disappointing. I also felt like the painting was somewhat lost and needed a darker background in order to make it pop. I posted it to a couple of FB groups for some advice, but there were varying opinions. One very respected artist said I should leave it as it was. It took me two weeks to decide what to do.

My first attempt was to do the background in a deep dark purple, mixing colours that were already in the painting. I didn't like it at all and was afraid I'd ruined the painting completely. (Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of that stage.)

My final attempt was to go over the purple with one thin coat of black, so there would still be a slight purplish hue. It took me a few days to decide if I liked it or not. Then the title came to me and I knew it was a keeper. 

"Light in the Darkness" already has a home because I am gifting it to a very special friend.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoyed this post. 

Hugs & smiles,

Teresa


4 comments:

Linda Harding said...

That's so beautiful, Teresa.

Linda Harding said...

That's so beautiful, Teresa. And I love the title!!!

Valerie-Jael said...

Your painting developed like a butterfly coming out of its chrysalis. Well done. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

NanaConnie said...

So magnificent, Teresa!