Dragon Dance 15x22 watercolor on Arches paper $875.00
What do you think about in that moment before you pass from the waking world into sleep? If you,re like me, you have a painting in your mind. I see the photo in my imagination. I'm working out composition, palette, what to leave out of the photo as I drift off to sleep. For years I have carried this image in my phone of this girl in a parade in Oahu. I snapped it because I was intrigued with the dragons head. It is a beautiful piece of art in its own right. After taking the picture I saw the image of the girl holding it up.
I made many changes to the photo, leaving out a lot of colors and shapes behind her torso. I also removed two other people standing near her. I also extended the ribbons so they would drift across her body. Last, I pumped up that powerful red color.
Why did I wait years to paint this? I had lots of themed shows I was composing and I knew I wanted to wait till I could work only on this painting. Dreaming about it for so long allowed me to be very sure about the approach I took. Taking extra time to plan also gives your skills time to develop. Some images you desperately want to paint feel just technically out of your grasp. Waiting lets you grow into the painting you have been dreaming of. A little paper, a little colored water... The stuff dreams are made of.
