I started this painting with intentions of entering it into the SAA competition. It was an exciting challenge to create a painting from the photograph supplied by Hazel Adlam (a fellow SAA painter), as I find roses particularly tricky to paint.
Even though it didn't make the competition I wanted to finish it, I very rarely fail to finish work and I have taken it to a point where I'm happy with it.
It was a discipline that I felt worth perusing, as I often finish a painting in one sitting as my style is loose and I use wet-wet methods that require a quick response.
It was interesting to see the other artists work published but not be influenced by their efforts. I guess as an artist you have to develop your own style and strive to keep things fresh and challenge yourself every time you paint. Whether it is with subject matter you wouldn't normally tackle or mediums that are new to you.
The next challenge is a picture of a cellist, which I hope to finish in time! I have had quite a bit of practise with figure drawing in the last few years so that's my next challenge....
