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Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid

8/22/2019

12 Comments

 
"Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid" - mixed media on 300 lb watercolor paper, 15" x 22".  Ready to frame.  Available here and at Artfinder.

​Ambiguity can be a lovely thing.  In art, it is "the cure for hokey" (Stan Kurth).  In life, it allows a little wiggle room for interpretation.  Things unsaid cannot be misinterpreted or misused.  Think of ambiguity as the anti-Twitter.  Using no characters at all won't get you on the news. :)

But this post is about art - and this painting is filled with things unsaid. Even from a process perspective - this was just in the early stages when it declared itself DONE.
Picture
first steps: semi random marks on paper with an initial watercolor glaze
Picture
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
And this is exactly where the pause becomes important (in life and in art).  Once I added the additional layer of watercolor glazing, I stepped away from this for a day.  By pausing for 24 hours, I was able to see (with help from the Grand Master himself) this piece was done - even though there were more steps in the process.    If I had continued to paint and fiddle and try to clarify the piece, it would have become less ambiguous, less impactful and probably a chicken - can you see the chicken next to the keyboard in the first steps photo?

Despite the intensity of this piece, it is only watercolor over the random marks (oil pastel, charcoal, colored pencil, regular pencil).  Not a drop of acrylic or gesso, which would have been next in the process.  Yet it packs a wallop, and has a lot to say without saying exactly anything at all.  Which is perhaps the point of abstraction.

In life, a pause before speaking, acting or reacting allows the brain and heart to have a little meeting and maybe sort out what matters most.  As I contemplate the variety of tattoos available in the world, I wonder if perhaps a pause button would be an effective symbol to get inked onto some very visible part of my body (like maybe my forehead?) so I won't forget how important it is to WAIT JUST A GOSH DARN MINUTE before slapping on more paint or speaking my thoughts out loud?  Let's stop a moment and think about that. 
12 Comments
Carolyn Laudat
8/22/2019 11:13:55 am

This is a FABULOUS piece, and the blog is so speaking to my soul today. If only I could take back some of the things my impetuous mouth or trust has gotten me into or caused......
Love you lady, you are just JENTABULOUS!!!!

Reply
jen
8/22/2019 11:17:47 am

Carolyn!!!!!! Sending you a big hug. We are both ladies who have trouble with the "pause button". But at least we do speak, do trust, do paint (even if we paint over the good parts unintentionally). We can working on pausing together! xo

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Dotty Seiter link
8/22/2019 12:35:39 pm

Jen, you nailed it! SO much punch and impact RIGHT WHERE YOU STOPPED! You are my hero!

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jen
8/22/2019 12:37:18 pm

Dotty! There is hope for me YET! Stopping, pausing - new skills I am determined to acquire. :)

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Carl Stoveland
8/22/2019 01:10:03 pm

Beautiful painting and wise words!

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jen
8/22/2019 01:42:50 pm

Thank you, Carl! I am an expert student in the two-by-four against the forehead method of learning. ha ha!

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Carol Edan link
8/23/2019 03:05:18 am

Isn't wonderful to have someone to stop you in your tracks and a master at that! Bravo! I see so many little stories that are waiting to be told. Yes, I see your little baby chick! A little miracle investigating the new world!

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jen
8/23/2019 11:21:50 am

A little miracle indeed! Now the REAL miracle will be hitting the pause button regularly - in art and in life - to make sure I don't miss something AMAZING!

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Stan Kurth link
8/23/2019 01:24:11 pm

True dat!

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jen
8/23/2019 01:25:09 pm

Wise words from the Grand Master! :)

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Christine Landis
8/23/2019 10:27:26 pm

Beautifully beautifully said ❤️❤️. Sometimes I know this thing about pausing. Other times, when fools rush in I'm afraid I'm right there with them... Thanks for this inspired reminder! I'm pausing to contemplate and I'm feeling blessed to have connected with you and have your influence in my art and my life.

Reply
jen
8/24/2019 10:32:38 am

Chris! Thank you, sweet lady! I feel the same about our connection. It is so great to see how you are ROCKING your business in Florida!!!

Reply



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  • Home
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