blah blah blahhhh I feel like a Mel Bochner painting

Just completed this painting.  I've been working on two other larger paintings that aren't complete yet, so I'll show them some other time.  I'm trying to bang out as many boat/landscape/beach/whatever paintings as possible so I have a wide array to choose from for the show... I plan on showing a series of paintings and the more I have to choose from the better (I think).  

This guy is one of the more "loose" paintings I have done.  It has a different feel from my previous works in both color scheme and style.  I don't particularly like this painting because it feels very gray or drab, but it adds variation to my series which is a plus.

Here's a close up of my evil boat painting.  It's starting to come together

BFA II Critique with Rachel #1

    So my critique for the first round with Rachel went well.  Everything that was said about my work I had heard before from last semester.  I need to start mixing color more and re-work the sky in the painting of my grandmother's destroyed house.  Everyone kept saying that my composition and framing in each of my paintings was expected and very traditional.  All visual information was perfectly framed by the edges of the canvas.  I decided I should make a change for my next painting.  I have adapted a more interesting composition that continues off of the canvas.  I also began using a less graphic and "blocky" approach to putting down shape and color.  I am using mostly cadmium reds in a sort of pointillistic way.  I like what is happening so far- it is my most powerful piece yet (I think).  It is the farthest stretch AWAY from a pretty boat painting.  It has a sort of infested or moss-like feel to it.  I kinda like it.  I can still be more loose, however- this is something I think I will always struggle as as an artist.  Hanneline suggested I use the darkest parts of my painting in a manner that is completely opposite of what "makes sense".  I tried inverting darks and lights by making the darkest moments in the painting the most RED.  It's weird, but I think it may become something interesting.  I think for my next piece I am going to switch it up and do something figural.  I have an old photo of my grandfather when he was a fisherman.  It is a very centralized photo but has a definite mood about it.  He is clearly caught of guard with a cigarette in mouth and gloves on hand.  I think it may sort of tie together or allow my thesis to come full circle?  Who knows... I'll just have to try it out.  TOODLES!