I thought long and hard about whether or not to post this canvas as part of my 100 Canvases series. The thing is, I don't like it.
But then I decided that that's part of the process. And it's good to share the failures along with the successes, you know?
So here she is…
When I started this canvas, it looked like this:
I painted that in November 2011. I never liked the face, so I set out to fix it this time.
I like it. I should have left it alone at this point. But I kept going…
Should have stopped here. But, I didn't…
Ugh. And so, I just kept going.
There's something very stiff and unemotional about the final version that just doesn't appeal to me.
Time to paint over the whole thing and start again, I think. Ah well, that's the point of this journey, isn't it? To learn. To grow. To fail and then learn from that failure.
Thanks for stopping by!
Wow! I think she’s amazing! I think it’s very brave of you to share even the pieces that you don’t like, but I honestly think she’s beautiful! I love all the colors, and the strong/powerful face she has!
Wow! I think she’s amazing! I think it’s very brave of you to share even the pieces that you don’t like, but I honestly think she’s beautiful! I love all the colors, and the strong/powerful face she has!
Wow! I think she’s amazing! I think it’s very brave of you to share even the pieces that you don’t like, but I honestly think she’s beautiful! I love all the colors, and the strong/powerful face she has!
Wow! I think she’s amazing! I think it’s very brave of you to share even the pieces that you don’t like, but I honestly think she’s beautiful! I love all the colors, and the strong/powerful face she has!
Wow! I think she’s amazing! I think it’s very brave of you to share even the pieces that you don’t like, but I honestly think she’s beautiful! I love all the colors, and the strong/powerful face she has!
Sadly I agree with you about when you should have stopped. Thank for sharing this!
Sadly I agree with you about when you should have stopped. Thank for sharing this!
Sadly I agree with you about when you should have stopped. Thank for sharing this!
Sadly I agree with you about when you should have stopped. Thank for sharing this!
Sadly I agree with you about when you should have stopped. Thank for sharing this!
My favorite of the above is the original…a strong woman looking slightly over her shoulder as she prepares for what if coming.
My favorite of the above is the original…a strong woman looking slightly over her shoulder as she prepares for what if coming.
My favorite of the above is the original…a strong woman looking slightly over her shoulder as she prepares for what if coming.
My favorite of the above is the original…a strong woman looking slightly over her shoulder as she prepares for what if coming.
My favorite of the above is the original…a strong woman looking slightly over her shoulder as she prepares for what if coming.
The great thing about canvas is that you can paint over…one time I was getting rid of a few canvasses that I didn’t like in a garage sale (I figured someone would gesso over them and re-use) A lady buying them wanted me to SIGN them so she could hang them in her living room…ugh! 🙂
The great thing about canvas is that you can paint over…one time I was getting rid of a few canvasses that I didn’t like in a garage sale (I figured someone would gesso over them and re-use) A lady buying them wanted me to SIGN them so she could hang them in her living room…ugh! 🙂
The great thing about canvas is that you can paint over…one time I was getting rid of a few canvasses that I didn’t like in a garage sale (I figured someone would gesso over them and re-use) A lady buying them wanted me to SIGN them so she could hang them in her living room…ugh! 🙂
The great thing about canvas is that you can paint over…one time I was getting rid of a few canvasses that I didn’t like in a garage sale (I figured someone would gesso over them and re-use) A lady buying them wanted me to SIGN them so she could hang them in her living room…ugh! 🙂
The great thing about canvas is that you can paint over…one time I was getting rid of a few canvasses that I didn’t like in a garage sale (I figured someone would gesso over them and re-use) A lady buying them wanted me to SIGN them so she could hang them in her living room…ugh! 🙂
Julie, I love that you just paint over a seemingly ‘finished’ canvas. The process becomes the art. I’m enjoying your guts!
Julie, I love that you just paint over a seemingly ‘finished’ canvas. The process becomes the art. I’m enjoying your guts!
Julie, I love that you just paint over a seemingly ‘finished’ canvas. The process becomes the art. I’m enjoying your guts!
Julie, I love that you just paint over a seemingly ‘finished’ canvas. The process becomes the art. I’m enjoying your guts!
Julie, I love that you just paint over a seemingly ‘finished’ canvas. The process becomes the art. I’m enjoying your guts!
I have had the same problem lately! Not stopping when I *know* I should! arrrr.
I have had the same problem lately! Not stopping when I *know* I should! arrrr.
I have had the same problem lately! Not stopping when I *know* I should! arrrr.
I have had the same problem lately! Not stopping when I *know* I should! arrrr.
I have had the same problem lately! Not stopping when I *know* I should! arrrr.
Well, I do like her! She’s got “caractère” as we say in French. And I like the background too. So, to my mind, to my own feelings it is not a falilure.
Well, I do like her! She’s got “caractère” as we say in French. And I like the background too. So, to my mind, to my own feelings it is not a falilure.
Well, I do like her! She’s got “caractère” as we say in French. And I like the background too. So, to my mind, to my own feelings it is not a falilure.
Well, I do like her! She’s got “caractère” as we say in French. And I like the background too. So, to my mind, to my own feelings it is not a falilure.
Well, I do like her! She’s got “caractère” as we say in French. And I like the background too. So, to my mind, to my own feelings it is not a falilure.
Wow I love it! You have nailed the profile
Wow I love it! You have nailed the profile
Wow I love it! You have nailed the profile
Wow I love it! You have nailed the profile
Wow I love it! You have nailed the profile
First you are so brave to share this with the world – something you don’t like. But I kind of like it except that the flaming red hair doesn’t go with the coloring in the face or the emotions expressed on her face. Perhaps tone the hair down to a bronzy color????? Pretend you are her hair stylist-:) DON”T PAINT IT OVER THOUGH!!!!
First you are so brave to share this with the world – something you don’t like. But I kind of like it except that the flaming red hair doesn’t go with the coloring in the face or the emotions expressed on her face. Perhaps tone the hair down to a bronzy color????? Pretend you are her hair stylist-:) DON”T PAINT IT OVER THOUGH!!!!
First you are so brave to share this with the world – something you don’t like. But I kind of like it except that the flaming red hair doesn’t go with the coloring in the face or the emotions expressed on her face. Perhaps tone the hair down to a bronzy color????? Pretend you are her hair stylist-:) DON”T PAINT IT OVER THOUGH!!!!
First you are so brave to share this with the world – something you don’t like. But I kind of like it except that the flaming red hair doesn’t go with the coloring in the face or the emotions expressed on her face. Perhaps tone the hair down to a bronzy color????? Pretend you are her hair stylist-:) DON”T PAINT IT OVER THOUGH!!!!
First you are so brave to share this with the world – something you don’t like. But I kind of like it except that the flaming red hair doesn’t go with the coloring in the face or the emotions expressed on her face. Perhaps tone the hair down to a bronzy color????? Pretend you are her hair stylist-:) DON”T PAINT IT OVER THOUGH!!!!
I love it too. I think the first versions are more inviting but I like her strength (and I see her as a red head in front of buildings so it makes me think of the past me in NYC : ) I am taking your gelli plate class and one of the things I’m getting out of it is the realization that it’s ok to keep going, to take risks, not to be so precious about each piece of paper. You’re a good teacher.
I love it too. I think the first versions are more inviting but I like her strength (and I see her as a red head in front of buildings so it makes me think of the past me in NYC : ) I am taking your gelli plate class and one of the things I’m getting out of it is the realization that it’s ok to keep going, to take risks, not to be so precious about each piece of paper. You’re a good teacher.
I love it too. I think the first versions are more inviting but I like her strength (and I see her as a red head in front of buildings so it makes me think of the past me in NYC : ) I am taking your gelli plate class and one of the things I’m getting out of it is the realization that it’s ok to keep going, to take risks, not to be so precious about each piece of paper. You’re a good teacher.
I love it too. I think the first versions are more inviting but I like her strength (and I see her as a red head in front of buildings so it makes me think of the past me in NYC : ) I am taking your gelli plate class and one of the things I’m getting out of it is the realization that it’s ok to keep going, to take risks, not to be so precious about each piece of paper. You’re a good teacher.
I love it too. I think the first versions are more inviting but I like her strength (and I see her as a red head in front of buildings so it makes me think of the past me in NYC : ) I am taking your gelli plate class and one of the things I’m getting out of it is the realization that it’s ok to keep going, to take risks, not to be so precious about each piece of paper. You’re a good teacher.
I like the first picture the best.
I like the first picture the best.
I like the first picture the best.
I like the first picture the best.
I like the first picture the best.
Well, I’m with you on this one, Julie. IMHO the background is too busy for the colorful woman. It’s cool, tho, and could be a modern painting all by itself. And her shirt front looks kind of like a leather breastplate to me, rounded out too far from her actual chest.
Fellow commenters – don’t shred me. This is my opinion stated in a polite manner. I follow Julie because I love her stuff. Just don’t care for this one much.
Well, I’m with you on this one, Julie. IMHO the background is too busy for the colorful woman. It’s cool, tho, and could be a modern painting all by itself. And her shirt front looks kind of like a leather breastplate to me, rounded out too far from her actual chest.
Fellow commenters – don’t shred me. This is my opinion stated in a polite manner. I follow Julie because I love her stuff. Just don’t care for this one much.
Well, I’m with you on this one, Julie. IMHO the background is too busy for the colorful woman. It’s cool, tho, and could be a modern painting all by itself. And her shirt front looks kind of like a leather breastplate to me, rounded out too far from her actual chest.
Fellow commenters – don’t shred me. This is my opinion stated in a polite manner. I follow Julie because I love her stuff. Just don’t care for this one much.
Well, I’m with you on this one, Julie. IMHO the background is too busy for the colorful woman. It’s cool, tho, and could be a modern painting all by itself. And her shirt front looks kind of like a leather breastplate to me, rounded out too far from her actual chest.
Fellow commenters – don’t shred me. This is my opinion stated in a polite manner. I follow Julie because I love her stuff. Just don’t care for this one much.
Well, I’m with you on this one, Julie. IMHO the background is too busy for the colorful woman. It’s cool, tho, and could be a modern painting all by itself. And her shirt front looks kind of like a leather breastplate to me, rounded out too far from her actual chest.
Fellow commenters – don’t shred me. This is my opinion stated in a polite manner. I follow Julie because I love her stuff. Just don’t care for this one much.
I enjoy watching your process, Julie, and your progression as an artist. Glad that you took photos along the way. Your “key words” for the 100 Canvases project include “experiment, try, play.” In that sense, regardless of the outcome, you have succeded!
I enjoy watching your process, Julie, and your progression as an artist. Glad that you took photos along the way. Your “key words” for the 100 Canvases project include “experiment, try, play.” In that sense, regardless of the outcome, you have succeded!
I enjoy watching your process, Julie, and your progression as an artist. Glad that you took photos along the way. Your “key words” for the 100 Canvases project include “experiment, try, play.” In that sense, regardless of the outcome, you have succeded!
I enjoy watching your process, Julie, and your progression as an artist. Glad that you took photos along the way. Your “key words” for the 100 Canvases project include “experiment, try, play.” In that sense, regardless of the outcome, you have succeded!
I enjoy watching your process, Julie, and your progression as an artist. Glad that you took photos along the way. Your “key words” for the 100 Canvases project include “experiment, try, play.” In that sense, regardless of the outcome, you have succeded!
I like the 5th pic because of it’s bold colors, the white marks in the background draw your attention away from the face in the first pic. I haven’t learned…”walk away, DON’T fix!” yet either. Either way you still paint faces better than I.
I like the 5th pic because of it’s bold colors, the white marks in the background draw your attention away from the face in the first pic. I haven’t learned…”walk away, DON’T fix!” yet either. Either way you still paint faces better than I.
I like the 5th pic because of it’s bold colors, the white marks in the background draw your attention away from the face in the first pic. I haven’t learned…”walk away, DON’T fix!” yet either. Either way you still paint faces better than I.
I like the 5th pic because of it’s bold colors, the white marks in the background draw your attention away from the face in the first pic. I haven’t learned…”walk away, DON’T fix!” yet either. Either way you still paint faces better than I.
I like the 5th pic because of it’s bold colors, the white marks in the background draw your attention away from the face in the first pic. I haven’t learned…”walk away, DON’T fix!” yet either. Either way you still paint faces better than I.
I agree with Susan that you’re brave to post artwork that you’re not too happy with the outcome. Thanks for sharing, Julie.
I agree with Susan that you’re brave to post artwork that you’re not too happy with the outcome. Thanks for sharing, Julie.
I agree with Susan that you’re brave to post artwork that you’re not too happy with the outcome. Thanks for sharing, Julie.
I agree with Susan that you’re brave to post artwork that you’re not too happy with the outcome. Thanks for sharing, Julie.
I agree with Susan that you’re brave to post artwork that you’re not too happy with the outcome. Thanks for sharing, Julie.
Failure is such a strong word. It suggests that there is only one correct final painting. I like all of the paintings for very different features that include: structure of the face, colors, shading and many other reasons!! I love the progression of your changes as they show the many moods of your artist mind. Keep up the great work!
Failure is such a strong word. It suggests that there is only one correct final painting. I like all of the paintings for very different features that include: structure of the face, colors, shading and many other reasons!! I love the progression of your changes as they show the many moods of your artist mind. Keep up the great work!
Failure is such a strong word. It suggests that there is only one correct final painting. I like all of the paintings for very different features that include: structure of the face, colors, shading and many other reasons!! I love the progression of your changes as they show the many moods of your artist mind. Keep up the great work!
Failure is such a strong word. It suggests that there is only one correct final painting. I like all of the paintings for very different features that include: structure of the face, colors, shading and many other reasons!! I love the progression of your changes as they show the many moods of your artist mind. Keep up the great work!
Failure is such a strong word. It suggests that there is only one correct final painting. I like all of the paintings for very different features that include: structure of the face, colors, shading and many other reasons!! I love the progression of your changes as they show the many moods of your artist mind. Keep up the great work!
There’s no such thing as a bad painting, only an unfinished one. I agree that the background is too busy and too similar in colour to the face. Just paint it out and make it simpler with grayed colour, and that wonderfully strong face will look amazing.
There’s no such thing as a bad painting, only an unfinished one. I agree that the background is too busy and too similar in colour to the face. Just paint it out and make it simpler with grayed colour, and that wonderfully strong face will look amazing.
There’s no such thing as a bad painting, only an unfinished one. I agree that the background is too busy and too similar in colour to the face. Just paint it out and make it simpler with grayed colour, and that wonderfully strong face will look amazing.
There’s no such thing as a bad painting, only an unfinished one. I agree that the background is too busy and too similar in colour to the face. Just paint it out and make it simpler with grayed colour, and that wonderfully strong face will look amazing.
There’s no such thing as a bad painting, only an unfinished one. I agree that the background is too busy and too similar in colour to the face. Just paint it out and make it simpler with grayed colour, and that wonderfully strong face will look amazing.
Love this post and your positive attitude. I like seeing the process especially when it doesn’t go the way we want. We all do this but you have the gusto to show us, yeah. That’s why II follow your blog, your real. Now to order some stencils.
Love this post and your positive attitude. I like seeing the process especially when it doesn’t go the way we want. We all do this but you have the gusto to show us, yeah. That’s why II follow your blog, your real. Now to order some stencils.
Love this post and your positive attitude. I like seeing the process especially when it doesn’t go the way we want. We all do this but you have the gusto to show us, yeah. That’s why II follow your blog, your real. Now to order some stencils.
Love this post and your positive attitude. I like seeing the process especially when it doesn’t go the way we want. We all do this but you have the gusto to show us, yeah. That’s why II follow your blog, your real. Now to order some stencils.
Love this post and your positive attitude. I like seeing the process especially when it doesn’t go the way we want. We all do this but you have the gusto to show us, yeah. That’s why II follow your blog, your real. Now to order some stencils.
I think she’s beautiful, but I have to admit I like her better with the yellow sunshine around her face. It’s trial and error, and you know what you like. It’s hard to give up when you don’t see the picture you’ve had in your head.
I think she’s beautiful, but I have to admit I like her better with the yellow sunshine around her face. It’s trial and error, and you know what you like. It’s hard to give up when you don’t see the picture you’ve had in your head.
I think she’s beautiful, but I have to admit I like her better with the yellow sunshine around her face. It’s trial and error, and you know what you like. It’s hard to give up when you don’t see the picture you’ve had in your head.
I think she’s beautiful, but I have to admit I like her better with the yellow sunshine around her face. It’s trial and error, and you know what you like. It’s hard to give up when you don’t see the picture you’ve had in your head.
I think she’s beautiful, but I have to admit I like her better with the yellow sunshine around her face. It’s trial and error, and you know what you like. It’s hard to give up when you don’t see the picture you’ve had in your head.
Awesome that you posted this-not that I know much but here is my 2 cents- the painting of the girl has a stoic sadness to her like she has had to be strong too long but she is still proud. The girl looks great. I think it is the background that doesn’t fit. Maybe the aftermath of a storm or a deserted beach or somewhere isolated. Maybe in front of a crumbled white/grey brick wall?
Good luck I am interested to see where she goes!
Awesome that you posted this-not that I know much but here is my 2 cents- the painting of the girl has a stoic sadness to her like she has had to be strong too long but she is still proud. The girl looks great. I think it is the background that doesn’t fit. Maybe the aftermath of a storm or a deserted beach or somewhere isolated. Maybe in front of a crumbled white/grey brick wall?
Good luck I am interested to see where she goes!
Awesome that you posted this-not that I know much but here is my 2 cents- the painting of the girl has a stoic sadness to her like she has had to be strong too long but she is still proud. The girl looks great. I think it is the background that doesn’t fit. Maybe the aftermath of a storm or a deserted beach or somewhere isolated. Maybe in front of a crumbled white/grey brick wall?
Good luck I am interested to see where she goes!
Awesome that you posted this-not that I know much but here is my 2 cents- the painting of the girl has a stoic sadness to her like she has had to be strong too long but she is still proud. The girl looks great. I think it is the background that doesn’t fit. Maybe the aftermath of a storm or a deserted beach or somewhere isolated. Maybe in front of a crumbled white/grey brick wall?
Good luck I am interested to see where she goes!
Awesome that you posted this-not that I know much but here is my 2 cents- the painting of the girl has a stoic sadness to her like she has had to be strong too long but she is still proud. The girl looks great. I think it is the background that doesn’t fit. Maybe the aftermath of a storm or a deserted beach or somewhere isolated. Maybe in front of a crumbled white/grey brick wall?
Good luck I am interested to see where she goes!
I like the final girl but the background is way to much. Just saying.
I like the final girl but the background is way to much. Just saying.
I like the final girl but the background is way to much. Just saying.
I like the final girl but the background is way to much. Just saying.
I like the final girl but the background is way to much. Just saying.
I am completely in LOVE with your final painting! The face has so much character and richness… LOVE the whole thing!
I am completely in LOVE with your final painting! The face has so much character and richness… LOVE the whole thing!
I am completely in LOVE with your final painting! The face has so much character and richness… LOVE the whole thing!
I am completely in LOVE with your final painting! The face has so much character and richness… LOVE the whole thing!
I am completely in LOVE with your final painting! The face has so much character and richness… LOVE the whole thing!
julie, i’m intrigued with the process, and seeing the steps. she can look so vastly different in each photo. i know i change the way i feel about how certain things looked. maybe they were better, or worse, (depending on my mood, or perception), or how I remembered them, than what they actually looked like. i wonder how you’ll feel about the way she looks now, when you look back at these photos, as time passes? i wonder if in time, your favorite side, or image of her, will change too? 😉
julie, i’m intrigued with the process, and seeing the steps. she can look so vastly different in each photo. i know i change the way i feel about how certain things looked. maybe they were better, or worse, (depending on my mood, or perception), or how I remembered them, than what they actually looked like. i wonder how you’ll feel about the way she looks now, when you look back at these photos, as time passes? i wonder if in time, your favorite side, or image of her, will change too? 😉
julie, i’m intrigued with the process, and seeing the steps. she can look so vastly different in each photo. i know i change the way i feel about how certain things looked. maybe they were better, or worse, (depending on my mood, or perception), or how I remembered them, than what they actually looked like. i wonder how you’ll feel about the way she looks now, when you look back at these photos, as time passes? i wonder if in time, your favorite side, or image of her, will change too? 😉
julie, i’m intrigued with the process, and seeing the steps. she can look so vastly different in each photo. i know i change the way i feel about how certain things looked. maybe they were better, or worse, (depending on my mood, or perception), or how I remembered them, than what they actually looked like. i wonder how you’ll feel about the way she looks now, when you look back at these photos, as time passes? i wonder if in time, your favorite side, or image of her, will change too? 😉
julie, i’m intrigued with the process, and seeing the steps. she can look so vastly different in each photo. i know i change the way i feel about how certain things looked. maybe they were better, or worse, (depending on my mood, or perception), or how I remembered them, than what they actually looked like. i wonder how you’ll feel about the way she looks now, when you look back at these photos, as time passes? i wonder if in time, your favorite side, or image of her, will change too? 😉
I admire how you didn’t give up on the painting and still want to save it. In my opinion, sometimes the process of saving is getting too expensive and not worth it. If there is not a problem for you, acrylic painting can be painted and re-treated over and over. In every version of the painting I can see the facial features disproportions. That is why probably you didn’t achieve desired face expressions.I really like the bright bold colors and layers!
I admire how you didn’t give up on the painting and still want to save it. In my opinion, sometimes the process of saving is getting too expensive and not worth it. If there is not a problem for you, acrylic painting can be painted and re-treated over and over. In every version of the painting I can see the facial features disproportions. That is why probably you didn’t achieve desired face expressions.I really like the bright bold colors and layers!
I admire how you didn’t give up on the painting and still want to save it. In my opinion, sometimes the process of saving is getting too expensive and not worth it. If there is not a problem for you, acrylic painting can be painted and re-treated over and over. In every version of the painting I can see the facial features disproportions. That is why probably you didn’t achieve desired face expressions.I really like the bright bold colors and layers!
I admire how you didn’t give up on the painting and still want to save it. In my opinion, sometimes the process of saving is getting too expensive and not worth it. If there is not a problem for you, acrylic painting can be painted and re-treated over and over. In every version of the painting I can see the facial features disproportions. That is why probably you didn’t achieve desired face expressions.I really like the bright bold colors and layers!
I admire how you didn’t give up on the painting and still want to save it. In my opinion, sometimes the process of saving is getting too expensive and not worth it. If there is not a problem for you, acrylic painting can be painted and re-treated over and over. In every version of the painting I can see the facial features disproportions. That is why probably you didn’t achieve desired face expressions.I really like the bright bold colors and layers!