Fiona Long Art

This painting represents a real turning point in my art. I was stuck
in being really representational (making a painting look like what it
is of). Although there is nothing wrong with that and it is something
that's important to learn, I now believe that a painting is more
interesting if the viewer has to work at it a bit and work out what it
is. If you are walking past a painting of, lets say, a peach and it is
very representational then you think "oh, ok, it's a peach" and are
likely to carry on walking. If, on the other hand, you are walking
past a painting and can't immediately tell what it is then you are far
more likely to stop and look at it for a while so that you can work
out what it means to you.

From a distance, my knobbly gourd painting does look just like it did
in real life, but close up it is just a blur of different greens and
blues. I had great fun with the brush strokes and it is this enjoying
the application of paint, that painting is all about. A painting is
described as painterly if you can really see the brushstrokes and this
is what I now strive for in my work. Something clicked for me when I
did this painting and I find it quite difficult painting in the way
that I used to. I just love paint and brush strokes too much! It is so
exciting making artistic breakthroughs!
Oil on canvas
2006
www.fionalongart.co.uk