The Creative Life - Barbara Trovillo

This weekend, at a "Meet the Artist" event, I was asked if I paint from photos. The technical answer is no, although photos can be involved.    

I paint what I see. My portfolio is akin to a visual diary. Generally speaking, what is catching my eye wherever I am, is what ends up on the canvas. Most recently, I have been watching the goldfinch devour the seeds off the volunteer sunflowers that sprang up in my raised bed! This delightful experience has inspired 3 very different paintings so far.

Every Painting begins at a real life moment when I witness something that moves me. I will take a picture of it and begin the painting in the studio using that photo as reference. I always veer away from the photo image once the basic composition is in place, referring back if details are needed. 

So, a photo of the scene helps to remember the moment, but no, I never paint exactly what you see in that photo. Often the finished painting will not even remotely resemble the photo.

It is the emotion of the moment that I hope to capture. Elements will be moved to better the composition, colors will change, and sometimes, the work will go off in a completely different direction.

It is a creative process. I start with a plan, trust the creative juices to flow and hopefully, make something wonderful with it. 

Thankfully, sometimes, something wonderful does happen. That's why I keep showing up. 

Happy Creating.