Tag: creative

2019

by Brian Sostrom, posted in Uncategorized
Blue and Far 30”x24” paint on wood panel

I have never been an optimistic person. In grade school, learning vocabulary, the teacher asked us if we were optimists or pessimists. A girl I had eyes for said, “Oh, we are both optimists.” She was a bit smarter than I was, but as she explained the difference, I knew she was horribly mistaken.

For some odd reason, I am filled with an unrealistic optimism for the new year. I am making my living painting, it’s not easy. My days are only getting shorter, never mind. I have a vision for my work, mastery of my materials. For the first time in my life I know my greatest work is ahead. I am excited to make it.

I hope you all find passion and meaning in 2019.

Destroy to Create (update)

by Brian Sostrom, posted in Uncategorized
Forces 20”x24” paint on panel

This painting is on the bubble for me. It has a lot of the force and intrigue I enjoy but is that enough? I will catch it out of the corner of my eye when I am working and it draws my attention… is that enough? It has some beautiful color, blending, texture, shape and motion… enough?

I am forever running out of painting surfaces. Now when I finish a painting I set it aside in the studio rather than varnishing it. I let a little time and distance come between me and the painting and see how it stacks up against other works I am making. Then when there are too many paintings and not enough new boards I spend a morning removing paint from the ones that fall short.

This has become part of my process. I am increasingly comfortable destroying to create. Nothing is sacred.

Upside down with additional work

Still not sure if I will keep it but it is intriguing so I will put it aside and let it breathe.

Big Light

by Brian Sostrom, posted in Uncategorized
Big Light 18”x14” acrylic on wood panel

I am prepping a collection of paintings to send to Horizon Fine Art Gallery in Jackson, Wyoming. I am thrilled to have gallery representation in Jackson Hole! A town I have always loved visiting.

Lately I have been spread thin sending out so much work and prepping for my solo show this February at Elliott Fouts Gallery. I am absolutely loving it, and so thankful!

Great Silence

by Brian Sostrom, posted in Uncategorized
Great Silence 12”x16” acrylic on wood panel

This is another painting inspired by mist and morning light.

I have been painting a lot of work this size lately. It has enough surface area to have a bit of freedom. I am going to start treating this as my minimum size. I have a lot of prepped 16″x20″, 18″x24″ and 20″x24″ panels I am excited to dive into next.

Your Fire

by Brian Sostrom, posted in Uncategorized

I have painted some small campfire paintings with the intention of eventually working on larger ones. Currently the largest boards I have prepped are 11″x14″ so I decided to paint some at that size. Just large enough to give me more freedom of movement! I sold this one before I posted it on Instagram. The woman who purchased it saw it on my “story” which is a video limited to 24 hours. She lives in Kuwait, excited to be sending work to a country I have not mailed to previously!

Beneath the Surface

by Brian Sostrom, posted in Uncategorized

Two 11″x14″ paintings I wrapped up last night… well aside from varnishing, signing, framing 😳. They really look good together as an accidental diptych!

I often work two or three paintings of similar subject at a time. It keeps my focus narrowed and my paints can be shared between multiple paintings. I frequently make interesting discoveries and small creative jumps with this approach!