Monday, August 9, 2010

Sunflowers in a glass jar



I've been wanting to try painting flowers,  so when I went for my morning walk I picked a couple of wild sunflowers and brought them home.  I totally wiped off my first attempt.  I'm somewhat happier with this version.

Is it just me, or does everyone else have self-doubts about their paintings?  I know I'm just learning, but I hesitate to post something I've done, because I don't think it's "good".  I keep looking at what I think is wrong.  Or sometimes I don't even know what's wrong!   But I know it doesn't look right to me.

Hope this doesn't sound like I'm whining or begging for compliments.  I'm not.  I really would like to know if other people felt like this when they started.

(Click on the painting to view larger.)

9" X 12" oil on canvas panel

10 comments:

  1. This is really nice! I don't post everything I paint either, but I am thinking I should, because often there will be somebody who enjoys even the paintings I create that I don't call my favorites.

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  2. The painting is very good, Virginia..and I liked your lemons below very much !Keep painting and keep posting.

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  3. Hey Virginia, I'm still at an early stage in my journey of learning to paint, but I think self-doubts are required in order to improve (without them you'd keep doing the same thing over and over). Use them to find out what's the next thing you have to learn/practice and BUILT UP YOUR CONFIDENCE WITH EVERY SMALL VICTORIES.

    Your blog title "VF's Painting Journal" suggests that I would read/see your paintings as you paint them with the ups and downs (maybe there will be some "no show", but those should decrease with time) rather than expecting only your "best work". We'll see an improvement over time.

    Keep painting and posting!

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  4. Deb, thanks for your thoughts on the subject. I appreciate your encouragement.

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  5. Arti, I appreciate your stopping to comment. I enjoyed looking at your work also.

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  6. Johanne, thanks for taking the time to give such a full answer. You are absolutely right about continuing to learn with practice and small victories. Sometimes I'll say to myself that I like one little thing that I did in a painting. I'll just continue to practice and post, and try not to worry too much about what people think.

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  7. Hi Virginia! Thanks for the comment on my blog. I'm glad you got to visit with Susan today at the gallery. Take care and happy painting!

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  8. Yes, don't worry about it! You are improving over time and you'll be so happy to have this blog as evidence!! It's all so subjective anyway, I look back at some of my paintings from just a year ago and cringe in horror... At the time I posted them I thought they were brilliant!! (: So just keep on track, it's wonderful to see your progress over time!!

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  9. Thanks, Diane. Your paintings are so beautiful, i'm sure your paintings from a year ago were beautiful, too. But thanks for sharing your thoughts..it's nice to know I'm in such good company!

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  10. Hi Virginia,

    I like the fresh simplicity of this piece. Super.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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