I can totally relate to what Linda, Tom, and Thomasin are saying. This conversation expresses what I like most about certain paintings and styles, including yours, Thomasin, Burton Silverman's, and others. Yesterday I was admiring the still life paintings on Ilaria's (forum member's) website and I felt the same way about them. For me there has to be a sense of mystery, a sense of being painted, evidence of being worked on, of the process and the resolution of the process. This resolution is most interesting for me when it is brought to varying degrees of finish in acordance with the focal point and, concurrently, with what the artist is trying to say.

I went to look at Thomasin's webpage and noticed something else that I liked about her work. It 's something I noticed about Burt Silvermans also. In most cases she keeps her values very light. Many times she turns a plane with color or temperature rather than value. What would normally be dark shadow in a photo, becomes a pale blue shadow. This of course is something else that the Impressionists experimented with.

Thanks Linda and Alex, and Tom for your comments.

I find that when I am really in the swing of things the painting's story of light and colour continues into the shadow areas. The shadows are not just supports for the light areas but part of the real content of a piece. It is, at the most enjoyable moments, like following a trail that keeps turning corners so you can't see what's coming next, and feeling very fit and energetic and wanting to walk and walk and walk. I love to see what colours in shadows will do to the three-dimensional form. Painting experimentally is like keeping your mind jumping from viewpoint to viewpoint. I find more and more these days the need to paint to build up ego or self-image is being taken over by the fun of trying things out.

Thomasin,

It is such a treat to have you among us. I think you are one of the really great painters of our time. I wish to cross the pond and see your originals one day. You have endowed another "quick" painting with enormous energy and power and sophisticated love. Congratulations, and thanks for your contributions to the rich dialog here.

Garth

Thanks very much, Garth! (although I am sure you must have been drinking something illegal when writing that). Even so, it is really lovely to receive those comments from you, and so nice that you are back participating in the forum again.