The headline is a reference to one of my favorite scenes in the classic movie “This Is Spinal Tap”, where Nigel explains to Rob Reiner that their amps “go up to 11”. After all these years that scene still makes me laugh. Who doesn’t want one more?
Recently I have been embarking on my artistic version of turning up the volume, with painting on panels that are much bigger (50″ x 40″) than my previous biggest size. When you are painting big, everything about it gets bigger too. From the effort of special ordering, cutting and transporting of the panels, to the brush sizes, the paint coverage, the studio space required, and finally to the mechanics of framing to ensure sturdy, functional hanging. Painting big becomes an aerobic activity!
I have created large scale before – a friend owns a piece I did of my son Duncan for my Adolescence series (1999) that takes up her entire dining room wall. But that was on paper and in oil bar, so the experience was different, although nearly as liberating. There is a freedom and joy in covering a big space with broad strokes, and the fluidity of paint only makes it more so.
The most recent big painting reflects the immensity of sky and mountain and Discovery Bay, which thrills and astounds me every day. I worked from a 6 x 9 inch watercolor scene that I painted plein air, during the sweet Cape George annual regatta. Working from such a loose sketch inspires me to loosen up further still as I transform to big strokes and wet-on-wet paint interactions. Big painting, big magic. You can see this new piece hanging at Taps at the Guardhouse at Fort Worden until early December. Better yet, come on by during the opening reception, and we can talk about what might be next when I turn up the volume.
