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Sometimes no matter how hard you try to paint a good painting, you create flops.  Paintings that just don't turn out for some reason.  Some parts of the painting may be good where other parts don't make the cut or the whole painting is not right.  This is different from practicing a new technique, doing a drawing or a study of an idea you have in

mind.  I am talking about when you are ready to create work to put in a competition, a gallery or on someones wall, true serious work.  Work that you have worked on for hours, days or even weeks and something is wrong with it.  When this happens a few times in a row it makes you start wondering, how did I ever create those other paintings that look pretty good.

You try to figure out what is wrong with the paintings. Sometimes you get too close to a painting after working on it a long time; even when you stand back to look at it often.  But you have invested all this time and materials you don't want to waste.  So you keep working on it hoping something will fall into place.  Sometimes you can fix it.  Sometimes putting it away for a little while will help you see what the painting needs.  Sometimes you just need to throw it away or paint over it.

Well, this just happened to me. Not one flop but five flops in a row!  It has happened periodically through out my art career.  Not often but when it happens it is earth shaking.  I wonder why it happened.  Was it the state of the world? my world? Do I have other things on my mind?  Am I not feeling on top of the world?  Am I afraid to get my new studio dirty, messed up or waste materials?  Am I not inspired?  Am I nervous about trying to make a really good piece for a competition? Am I ready for a new style, subject matter or medium? Who knows?

I have learned from the past, when this happens, usually it is because I am growing in my artistic ability. Maybe seeing how a painting is put together, how to use my medium differently, my eye sees more contrast or who knows. So I step away from painting for a short while.  I looked at art books and magazines for answers.  I do some doodling.  Look at reference photos.  Look at my other paintings.  Look at other artist’s paintings. Look at the Masters. Listen to music. Finally, I get my courage up to try again.  I have to, I can't stay stuck in this void!  I try to stay calm and start another painting, maybe take a different direction.  It is very scary at first.  Finally, the painting is starting to turning out!!  I keep working.  I am seeing a little differently  now and I am liking it!!  I am smiling on the inside!  Hopefully the next one will turn out too.  But if it doesn’t-well - I will just have to work through it again.