I was complimented when a friend said she wanted to spend a day watching me paint, and/or paint with me, see how I work….. Is there a method to my madness? I decided to follow the progress of a painting taking photos as I went along.

Often I find I overwork something then wish I could press the “undo” button and go back a step or two. That’s when my husband might question why I didn’t put my signature on it and hang it on the wall several iterations ago.

I imagine many artists have a desired “look” or “feel” they want to achieve. Some point of measure that is known only to the artist herself,  and until that point is reached, the signature may remain lost in the hairs of the brush.

This particular project went from palette to canvas with relative ease.  I don’t really know why one painting can be completed in a couple of hours, while another takes months of frustrating do-overs? I’m pleased with how I was able to capture the sun on her knee.

Ava at the Beach • 2013 • Edie Moore Olson