Right on the heels of my TEDx Velocity adventure, I was commissioned to paint an abstract painting for a client. She loves horses and wanted the feel and gesture of the horses. When I’m painting abstract I usually draw first to create a foundation on which to hang color, shape and more lines. Sometimes what happens though is the foundation drawing doesn’t want to fully deconstruct…that, or the client doesn’t want it to go away after all. It’s an interesting play between the desires of the client, the drive and vision of the artist and holding the trust between the two.

Below is a series of images from creating the medium (over 12 lbs!), prepping the surface (over 9 layers!) drawing, adding and scraping color to the final product. The final piece was in three panels, approximately 60″ wide by 15″ tall (and it weighed enough where I didn’t need to hit the gym for three weeks!).