Abstract Apple and Pear I

I have problems with not leaving well enough alone. Over the years, I've really had to find that voice inside me that says, "Stop! That's good enough. Don't mess with it anymore."

Sometimes I listen to that voice. And sometimes I ignore it.

Abstract Apple and Pear I

Acrylic on canvas board, 11 inches x 14 inches

Available for purchase here

Above is the finished work. Here is how I originally saw it:

I had called it finished weeks ago. Varnished it, photographed it, ready to share. But deep down something was bugging me and so it sat in my studio while I worked on other projects.

And then I had a rotten afternoon, one that ties my stomach in knots. It really wasn't anything that horrible, just worry. Things in the past. Things that could happen in the future. Things I really can't change. 

I was feeling hurt and a little angry. So I went into my happy place (the studio) and grabbed this painting, and threw myself a pity party at the expense of this poor piece of canvas.

I smeared black paint on the apple and the pear. Oh dear. I wiped some of it off (better than wiping tears, I suppose). I had a long talk with myself while I carefully scratched a black outline around the fruit with the edge of the palette knife. When I started to feel better, I grabbed some cheerful teal blue, flicking it here and there with my palette knife.

It wasn't the painting I originally envisioned, but in the end, I liked it better. Sometimes, life is like that.

Bonus: The cropped image is so fun, I might have to try this again someday, this time on purpose.

(close up)