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Can You Help Me Get Unstuck?

I’m stuck.  I started this on Monday. I got to this point by Monday night.  I was sure it would be finished in time to share for Paint Party Friday.  Nope.  I have let it sit for several days waiting for it to speak to me.  All it has said is, “I am NOT finished yet.”

I tried several things but didn’t like them so I erased them with water or a layer of white.  I’ve pulled my hair out in frustration.  I’ve stepped away and worked on another project.  I’ve tried bribing my muse to inspire me.  That has gotten me nowhere!!

So now I am turning to my friends – any ideas of where to take this next?

{ 48 comments… add one }

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  • Hmmmm. It looks like stained glass to me. Maybe some die cut/cut out arches, like church type stained glass windows. Hmmmmm…….

  • You may want to connect shapes in groups that indicate figures with a black outline. I see at least five. If nothing looks right to you, I’d say set it aside for another time and start something else.
    Stay inspired!

  • You could always put a light layer of white gesso over it so that it shows through and start doing something else on top of it so that it get incorporated into the background. I’ve sure seen lots of people do that when they get stuck. Or just set it aside for now and come back to it. 🙂

  • Cool colours! I see doorways…and perhaps parrots…. 🙂

  • Cathy Yosha ,

    Just a beginner, but just went through the same thing. I went back and stuck stuff on that reminded me of why and how I started this in the first place.

  • mary ,

    where’s the strawberries?

  • Difficult. What about writing over the top of it, to pull it together again? Valerie

  • inge ,

    if it was mine I added stairs and ladders fron to one part to the other …

  • Janice Mazur ,

    I see a Tucan Bird in the right corner and another bird in the center. HOw bout some funky birds?

  • Carin ,

    I do see bird shapes in this one. The Tucon in the top right corner and some other ones. You could always highlight them and go from there….or just set it aside for a few days till you can come at it with a fresh eye.

  • This looks good. 🙂 It depends where you want to take it. You can continue to layer it with drips, stencils, dots, … 🙂 Or you can find a shape in it and block out the background. Or you can outline the shapes and journal in between. Or you can do a smaller face at the bottom and an afro hair leaving it as is and blocking out the rest. 🙂 Hope I helped a bit. 🙂

  • Gorgeous colors and shapes..magical and inspiring..the painting will lead you..just ask it!! Beautiful work..I love it as it is..and whatever you do will be wonderful!
    Victoria

  • I can see at least 3 abstract elephants! Isn’t it funny what jumps out at different people. the colours as well make me think this would be a brilliant rain forest/jungle type abstract with lots of animals that pop out when you stare for a while!

  • Carol ,

    Carolyn I really like this ~ would let it sit and in time you will know what it wants ~ ‘trying too hard’ never works ~ ‘listen to that inner voice deep within’ ~ You are evolving and that means change ~ ~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)

  • Tricia ,

    I love the look of this – I think I would put a big colorful bird or something over the top of it, using it as a background. Happy PPF!

  • The colours are strong and fabulous, I do see toucan birds. It does depend what you want to do with it…a background? Or is it the main theme? Maybe add some ‘eyes’ to it!

  • Tammie ,

    I think it is wonderful, the colors and shapes. I agree with Victoria, ask the painting and it will tell you. letting it sit until it does is sometimes what we do.

  • Am sure from all the great suggestions made above it will stir your mojo and am sure whatever you decide to do it will end up great. Happy PPF, Annette x

  • Rhonda ,

    I agree with everyone else’s comments too. Black outlines and text came to mind first. You’ll get it…you just can’t force it. Happy PPF! 🙂

  • irene ,

    the colors are so much fun. i see a flock of overlapping birds. i like your idea of asking PPF participants.

  • I really like the way it looks, but your are the one that will have the last word. Maybe let it rest for a little while. Love the colors and composition!

  • Leovi ,

    Wonderful and exquisite work of art. Very beautiful.

  • julie m ,

    i see little people or critters crawling around among the shapes and maybe some words or letters mixed in with them. like the shapes. just seems to need something to bring them all together.

  • You have lots of really great ideas here – isn’t the blogging community excellent? Where else could you toss out a “I need ideas” and have so many genuinely helpful responses? I just love that! 🙂 Good luck – can’t wait to see where it lands…..

  • gloria ,

    It looks great, but I agree with Victoria in that the painting will lead you. It’s great. Relax with it and enjoy it. Happy weekend to you.

  • Ginny ,

    First of all, I like it just the way it is. The colors are great. I immediately saw birds but I can’t wait to see what you decide. I always enjoy what you create.

  • I see toucans and parrots – I guess birds are showing up but I like it as is, has a wonderful abstract quality and lush colors. Good luck, what it needs will show up! xox

  • Nancy ,

    I see people, bundled against the cold, on the subway… I’ll be interested to see where you take it.

  • Did anyone mention the Cockatiel in the upper right hand corner? I wonder what other birds and creatures you could find. Love the colour scheme!

  • I would start with sitting down and having a good old look at it while I was eating a bit of chocolate and having a cup of tea… then I would think about George Clooney, do the washing, consider more chocolate, settle for another cup of tea, then start adding some geometric structure to it… may fallback is using framed areas, or some lines through it to give things a bit more structure… but because I am a chicken I always print out copies and have a play on them… something will crop up and playing on copies has never failed me!!!!

  • Marji ,

    Start layering. It looks like an amazing tapestry in the works with layers that only will reveal themselves as you play and work with them. Keep going 🙂 Happy PPF

  • I’m not much good with things like this, so I will leave it to others to help you finish it. If it were me, I’d forget the paint brush and grab a magazine image or two and insert them in places that looked appropriate. Of course, I don’t paint that often, so images are my go-to remedy (grin).

  • I think it is a mango tree with small teal colored parrots sitting on branches, maybe eating on a mango too. The mangoes need a little peach color on some of their green to ripen them up!

  • Love the cool color palette!
    Sometimes I add a bit of complementary color to make other colors seem even more vibrant…you could add accents of warms maybe.
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

  • Hmmmm. Lots of good ideas from everyone. Layers of glazing always helps me…

  • Hmmm, I rather like it the way it is. It has almost a puzzle quality. When I’m stuck on something, I tend to put it aside and not look at it for a while. Then I take another look and see if any ideas present themselves. I like the colors in it very much.

  • Wow it was so fun reading all the comments…I thought I’d be the only one seeing toucan and parrots…I love this color palette!! I would would use mauve or black to pull it all together if it were me…but I am such a lover of stained glass and tend to add black to most of my pieces!! I agree with Tracey about the cup of coffee or tea…sit back and relax…print off copies…experiment…then later take the reigns!! Thanks for sharing…can’t wait to see how you finish it!! Fun post!

    Hugs Giggles

  • I’m with Rita, sometimes a light layer to cover up portions or all to help get more inspired. Best wishes!

  • rinda ,

    I’m thinking I would add some stencil images – dots or letters or numbers. Maybe in a shade of red. Then scrape some gesso around and finish with some bright yellow highlights.
    Rinda

  • Carolyn ,

    Thanks everyone for all your ideas! It is a huge help to have so many different ways to approach this painting!!!

  • Debbie ,

    I see shapes like birds so you could expand on that theme, but if this is an abstract piece, then I would leave it until you know what to do next. I’ve just started trying to do abstract and sometimes it takes a while before you know what to do next. I like the shapes and colors, so I hope you will post again, when it is finished!

  • Kat ,

    What fun to get all these different options, isn’t that what’s wonderful the spectrum of possibilities, in the end you will do exactly what’s right! I love your colors and shapes, so cool for summer. I do see a stained glass window effect, very lovely!

  • JKW ,

    I love all these shapes. . . All you and your creativity needs to do is “Connect the Dots” yep, I can see all kinds of subjects and objects within those particular shapes. And it would be a fun thing to do and especially creative. Can’t wait to see what you come up with. Blessings, Janet PPF

  • Loved all the inspiration from the comments too! Cool.

  • dana ,

    It too looked at it and immedicately saw birds…great colors to work with!
    cheers, dana

  • Natasha ,

    Ink