To Finsh or Not to Finish?

Quiet Warmth by Sheri Dinardi

Sometimes you start a painting and everything just flows. But, have you ever gotten stuck and just couldn't finish a painting? What if your painting just doesn't seem to work no matter what you try. It seems like you can get stuck and nothing works. For me, my artistic vision, you know that sense of what looks right or wrong, is ahead of my ability to paint it. What can a person do in this situation?

Sometimes,when I get stuck, I just put the painting away for a while... sometimes for a long while and do other paintings. These poor unfinished works have to wait until I grow further before they can be birthed.

One particular painting "Quite Warmth", spent a year put away. Then in moments of inspiration it was quickly finished. Since then this piece has been in the 2009 OPA National Show in Sante Fe NM,  2010 AWA National Show in Dallas Tx. and is now in the 2011 Best and the Brightest in Scottsdale, AZ. You can find links to these shows on my website, The Artwork of Sheri Dinardi.

There are other paintings that spent time put away, before they could be finished... Gathering Essence and Lavender Dreams are other examples. Many times it is because I can't get an expression in the face that fits what I am trying to portray. Or I may have an upcoming deadline with two or three paintings that I am currently painting and choose the one that is showing the most promise at the moment. The only caution is that you don't leave the painting too long, because you many grow past the point of even wanting to finish it at all. I have a few of those as well.

To Finish or Not to Finish? That is the question. Just remember, you can always set it aside for a later time when it becomes more apparent how to finish your piece.

Come back again to see three painting starts that I have been working on. Which one will get finished next? 

~Sheri Dinardi