Gambogoes Study: Exploring Color and Intuition

“Gambogoes Study” 5 x 4 oil on panel

Today's painting, a 5 x 4 inch oil on panel titled "Gambogoes Study," was an intriguing exploration of form and color. Gambogoes is a bitter spice grown near the school in Sri Lanka, and one of my students brought it in, sparking my interest in capturing its unique structure.

I began with a drawing in burnt sienna, a choice that allowed the red tones to amplify the greens I was mixing. This created a striking contrast, especially in areas where the latter layers of paint didn’t fully cover the surface. My hope was that the interplay of these colors added depth and vibrancy to the piece. Not so sure it was successful.

As I continue to experiment with color and techniques, I find myself striving to loosen up and move away from strict mimesis. After 25 years of training and teaching in an academic setting, it’s challenging to break away from the foundational elements of that discipline. Today, the more intuitive and expansive nature of my process felt a bit out of reach, but that’s part of the journey.

I hope you enjoy today’s experiment. I’m looking forward to trying again tomorrow, embracing the idea that you’re never too old to learn and change. This series of studies is pushing me to explore new possibilities, and I’m excited to see where it leads.