The Challenge (2022) Painting by Nancy Riedell

During the months of June and July 2022, my art studio was being remodeled. My studio landlord asked me to not come to the studio during that time. So, I brought home the painting I was working on at the time, the paints I was using for that painting (there were six - Winsor Yellow, Winsor Green, Burnt Umber, Quinacridone Magenta, Cobalt Violet, and Chinese White), my brushes, and other art supplies necessary to complete it.

I set up a make-shift work space at my kitchen table. I tend to put my colors in their own containers as it's easier for me to paint. I did not want to toss the unused paint after completing the origin al painting, so I purchased a full sheet of Arches 300 lb. watercolor paper and decided to do an abstract with the remaining paint.

I knew I had challenges to face. It turned out to be many:

1. I had to use the colors I brought home and no others.
2. I had to cover my kitchen table and antique print from the Civil War with paper towels so as not to ruin those.
3. I had to figure out how to get the painting to stand up as I decided to have the colors run down the sheet.
4. I tolerated being interrupted frequently by members of my family needing to go out, be fed, need a walk daily, etc.
5. I had to get creative and use boxes as a makeshift easel so I could stand the painting up to get the effect I needed.
6. I realized that if I ran out of a color, that was that. Move on to another color.

It took two days to finish what ordinarily would take a couple of hours. I ended up not using both the Cobalt Violet and the Burnt Umber. I was afraid the Burnt Umber would dominate the painting and the Cobalt Violet has a tendency to fade into nothingness. I am extremely happy with the effect, however.

Related themes

AbstractExpressionismBeautifulWhimsicalOrange