I seem to do these in spurts. After a period when I can’t figure out what to do and spend time looking at photos/pictures and playing around on Photoshop, I finally find a subject (or, in this case, two subjects). At some point in the process, I reach a point where I think the painting just stinks and wonder if I should start over or toss the whole thing. So I take a break and go back later and something more decent begins to emerge. Eventually, it gathers momentum and I become obsessed with finishing it. (These are my “Finishing the Hat” days.)

The two paintings are below. One is based on a picture of Bruges, one of the prettiest places on earth. The other is based on a photo I took of my cousin, Chris Olafson, reading a book or magazine at my sister Sally’s house. There are elements of each that I am pleased with and parts that just look wrong. But I’ve decided that I am finished with them, at least for now. It might be interesting to go back in four or five months and add or edit all of what I have done to date. In the meantime, I’m going for quantity, on the theory that the only way to get better at this is to do it often.

I’ve just bought a 16 x 20 canvas, which is bigger than anything so far, and a big brush. Now I have to figure out what to do with it.