These paintings came about as a result of my decision to go looser in my small oil paintings. I am still not quite used to the look, but feel quite liberated in not taking these paintings to the tight resolution of the previous ones. Maybe there is more here for the viewer to read in their own interpretations.
The first pic shows nine more 10 x 10 cm (not sure why there is always nine …) including the two looser paintings from the last post (see here), and the following one is 20 x 20 cm.
anna warren portfolio 
Hi Anna, I particularly like the little poppy on the bottom left. Because they are brooch-sized (on my computer screen) I can imagine them as ceramic brooches. I’d wear them! Or tiles. Have you ever painted on ceramic? I have. I loved it and the results looked not dissimilar. The bigger one looks quite Asian in aesthetic. They are a nice mix of surrender and control.
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Hello Julie – its interesting how artworks improve as they get reduced! For the early paintings I did this size (Coastal series) I made tiny ’tiles’, just colour prints pasted onto foamcore, about 2 cm square, of the whole lot, so that in an exhibition people could re-arrange the pieces to work out which went together. Someone bought the whole set of little ones rather than a painting, which took me by surprise as they weren’t even really in the exhibition! You have given me a good idea though of where to go next – I think I need to find some tiny ceramic tiles.
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Beautiful colors and I love the use of white – little jewels!
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Thank you so much Alissa!
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Personally, I really like what you’re doing. I bet it’s been a good exercise for you to switch to loose. The bottom image grabs me the most because I keep wondering if it’s seed pods or flower buds. It doesn’t really matter because it keeps the eyes engaged and moving through the work. Nice job!
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Thank you Gale – it is a really good exercise – I still feel slightly uncomfortable leaving them this loose, although I always work this way, starting loose then tidying up, so I have to make an effort to stop myself at this point! I’m glad you like the bottom one, on the wall I do think that one works best, and I like the fact you are questioning just what it is.
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yes – when to stop? I think that IS the hardest part for me. How much do you perfect and perfect? I’ve been pondering this subject today. You know, it is just as hard in writing as in drawing for me. I always find the most difficult parts of posts is finishing them off. I think it DOES take courage to leave work loose, especially if your natural inclination is to keep going.
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I think I often used to stop too soon, when I could have done more, now it is the opposite. In a funny way, it is almost laziness (for me anyway) to keep on going, because by that stage I know what is happening. It’s the early stages when it’s harder to make decisions, especially if I make a few marks I really like and don’t want to lose! And I enjoy writing, so tend to waffle on (like right now!) so do need to edit what I say to keep to the point. I enjoy your writing very much, it always adds to the images and gives food for thought, it is clear you put a lot of thought into your writing.
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Hi Anna, I enjoy your writing and pictures too. I must say, blogs are a great way to get to know one another aren’t they?! Ahh – so your early decisions are difficult? Well I am the opposite because I find the most challenging time the ‘pulling it together’ time. This is when everything can go pear-shaped. I like to waffle on as well – and I do (like now) in comments but I try (don’t always succeed) to be more careful in the posts. I have a sister who was a style editor for years who tells me if I have made grammatical mistakes – and a husband who will criticize the writing as well!
All in all I feel that having a blog is a life-enricher. Waaay better than watching tv.
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It really is a life-enricher isn’t it? I feel I have met so many ‘kindred spirits’ through the blog. I used to have a website, but this is so much better, you get interaction that is impossible with a regular website, and I am learning so much from other people.
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Regarding having a website, I have exactly the same experience as you. I keep it and update it. It is very useful to show to galleries and the odd person looks at it on line but there is nothing like blog interaction. No comparison. Yes, I am learning from others too and making friends – like you.
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Yes, it’s more than I ever imagined!
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Lush and vibrant!
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Oh, thank you so much Elena!
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Very good artwork!
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Thank you Bente!
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These are really lovely Anna, your looser style is really working. So nice to see these new paintings after all the feedback on the last ones. And well done on being brave and changing style, not always easy. The last painting is just gorgeous so fresh and full of life. It is harder I think to get a painting right with less, as every stroke is so much more important. I also enjoyed your conversation with Julie, blogging is so rewarding in so many ways.
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Thank you so much Karen, I am enjoying the experience of working in a new way. I am also enjoying the blogging experience, I have gained so much from it, from the interest and encouragement I am getting from other artists, to the feeling of making new friends, and constantly learning from other people. I really didn’t expect the level of professionalism that there is, there are some amazing artists out there, every day I find something new and inspiring!
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Hello Anna ! I love your collection here . The rich colours and loose brushstrokes seem to give such energy to these blooms I really feel the sun and light bursting out from each little painting . Isn’t wonderful to be able experiment and find that something defifintely works and was worth what might have felt like a ‘risk’ at first . Reading earlier comments, yes I ‘m in total agreement blogging is a lovely way to meet kindred spirits all over the world in what seems to be a much nicer way than I ever thought possible with the internet .
Enjoy your week ‘not tidying up’ Anna … re your way of working comment above š
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Oh thank you Poppytump! It has been an interesting experiment, and so much quicker, I still feel a little twitchy about not tidying up, but one of my painting friends pointed out it was probably just because I felt guilty about finishing them so fast! And yes, I am enjoying the blogging experience enormously, learning so much and constantly being inspired but it means I really miss people like you when you go away for a few days!
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I love loose paintings – anyone can take a photo!! They tend to show more of the feeling of the images being captured. These ones are fabulous!
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Thank you so much Kate – it is important to me to convey more than the object itself, I am trying to get more of a sense of the plants and flowers than actually define them in a more precise way. I am so pleased you like the paintings.
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These are really lovely Anna, so vibrant and full of life!
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Oh thank you! It has been (and still is!) an enjoyable journey.
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