Premature, but...

A year or so ago, someone posted on a blog that they enjoyed reading about art, instead of just seeing blogs that consisted solely of posted artwork. I realize that I am being a bit premature with posting this particular image; but I thought the "story" behind it might be of some interest. It has been an interesting month. I have had more free time to do artwork that I have had in a while. The problem is, I find that when I have more free time, I tend to use it much less efficiently. Yesterday was the first time I have been in my studio in weeks. I finished up the COVID piece with the crying boy. I also did some work on another piece I had started. Then I felt a little "lost". I felt very NONcreative. I felt like I "didn't have it in me". I poured myself a pint of beer and sat staring off into space for a little while. Then I decided to re-motivate and head downstairs again to explore. I had coated an interesting elements last month, in an attempt to push my work to be a little larger (not out of pressure, but out of a sense of trying something new). I started cutting that prepared piece. Cutting (and coating) is something that I can do when I'm not feeling particularly creative (and southing that is a wonderful part of collage work). Then I started experimenting with complementary elements. The reason I am saying that this post is probably premature, is that this composition is FAR from done (and the photo kind of sucks)... but I am SO excited to have "stumbled" into this composition and am now re-energized to work on the creative aspects of this piece! I only wish that I had photographed the original image. It is amazing to me how the addition of color has made this piece come alive and that the same addition has completely transformed the overall image and made it WAY more 3-dimensional (in terms of increasing the illusion of depth). I wish I could show the contrast from pre- and post-cutting. But when you are experiencing "flow" (or "the zone") in art, it often precludes thinking about documenting the process (that's a different "mode"). I am just so happy that my moments of discouragement were followed by renewed enthusiasm. SO, I hope I haven't rambled on too long. Here is the preliminary image (hopefully, soon to be followed by the completed collage)...