I often describe the finishing of a painting as a complete emotional release where I transform from artist to viewer, letting go emotionally (and physically) from a work that has probably consumed dozens if not hundreds of hours and weeks and months of my time. You could describe it as very similar to the break-up or ending of a relationship.  There are moments where I just sit there gazing at the finished canvas, experiencing a wave of emotion, letting it all out, at times even crying uncontrollably. I did that with my Angel in the Forest painting for sure.

People ask how I know when a painting is finished to which I respond, usually when I sign it. Actually, the period of time when a work is finished is a very interesting part of the creative process. I began Venice Rising almost 5 months ago as an idea or exercise in documenting my creative painting process and posting pictures of the work in progress on my web site for people to not only see but to participate and become directly involved in and yes ultimately influence the direction of the canvas. My works change dramatically from the beginning sketch to the final layers and I wanted to share that. I do have to admit at times it was difficult because I believe most artists only want to show their best works and best efforts, as I do. In fact it has taken me a long time to get over my fear of showing my art publically because I never know if a finished piece is good enough. Opening up that process was a very healthy exercise for me personally and I hope for you as the viewer and participant.

As I now sit back and look at the complete painting, I look at it like you, the viewer. I don’t see myself as the artist but as the participant, allowing the colours, lines and forms to impact me in an individual and personal way. I have also realized that the finished canvas is not the final work. In fact the entire process is the painting and the final work and you the viewer have been part of that. We are in the you tube, facebook and twitter age where everyone is the participant and artist.

As the German artist Joseph Beuys (1921-86) stated many years ago, “Every human being is an artist, called upon to engage in the shaping of their lives and the world around them, with the same kind of love and passion that artists have for bringing something that is new and has a coherence of being. Then ones own lifework becomes an art work.”

I would like to end this chapter and the painting from a comment a dear facebook friend and fellow artist Gines Serran said about Venice Rising,

“Gary, I love the work. Every time stronger and more poetic. Art is that, a diary of your life. People may think that the painting is changing but it is the artist who transforms himself. A painting is not an object hanging on the wall but a fragment of the artist’ life, and this is what you so beautifully are reflecting in Venice Rising.