Remember Light

Remember Light 24”x18” paint on wood panel

This time of year light does seem like something either remembered or glimpsed shining on a distant mountain. Light is the star of the show in this painting.

I am going to be putting coats of varnish on this piece today, then time to frame!

Destroy to Create (update)

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.

Waning Day

Waning Day 16”x12” acrylic on wood panel

A colorful cloud painting on the studio counter with some friends! This one doesn’t have the apocalyptic vibe of yesterday’s post.

Another day in the studio, I am grateful.

Here is a link to some of my work currently at Radius Gallery:
https://radius-gallery.myshopify.com/collections/brian-sostrom

Dragon Fire (SOLD)

Dragon Fire 14”x11” acrylic paint on wood panel

I framed and shipped this painting to a new home. These days I have abandoned the notion of hanging onto art no matter how much I like it.

The people who purchased this painting loved it so much that they first purchased it as a print from http://www.minted.com and then decided they had to own the original! It is a great feeling sending work somewhere it will be cherished.

Day Dream

Day Dream 12”x16” acrylic on wood panel

This is a very airy and bright painting. The photo was taken on my studio table with some of the tools of the trade.

Inspired by low clouds that seem to form and disappear so quickly. The blinding sun tempered by mist. This is another meditative piece.

Inspired by the sun

Looking around the chaos of my studio it is plain to see light inspires me. As we head into the darkest part of the year the sunlight is all the more dramatic and inspirational.

These two paintings were worked up together after a very early morning on the lake. Spending time in the studio looking at your work and shuffling it around is time well spent. Nothing physically to show for it but it is valuable just to reflect.