Rehearsals

Since being awarded the foyer painting for Livingston Place, Calgary, I've put myself into rehearsals. The purpose of this, like a musical or theatrical rehearsal, is to become familiar with the material and to work out any technical problems. The size of the projects has, in particular, needed attention. I have had to re-tooled, consider drying rates of the paint and generally consider methods for approaching the canvas at this size.

The format and size of the final commission was established by the site wall and the original modello. Nine by fifteen feet seemed the best solution.

I paint flat on a horizontal surface. This is necessary as I work in gel acrylic which, if upright its movement would be enhanced by the force of gravity. Usually I use table height platforms, but for this projects I felt it best to work at ground level. I will paint on specially order 10' x 5' plywood sheets.

I began rehearsals by doing several 10' x 15' paintings.