A street scene on a pleasant, early-autumn day. I think of this painting as a "happy accident". This is a term I most often hear used by watercolorists (since the medium is so hard to control many things happen by accident, some happy and some less so). In this case I was recently at my local art supply store stocking up on canvases and other supplies, and accidently bought some linen when I intended only canvas. I've used linen before, several years ago, and decided I liked the working surface of canvas better. (canvas comes from the cotton plant while linen comes from the flax plant...to me linen seems to have a smoother, less toothy, faster surface but also seems to require more delicate handling in order to get a good paint layer) Anyway, weeks after I got my supplies home, I unwrapped one of the canvases and noticed it was linen...I painted on it anyway and unlike a few years ago I loved its surface. In fact I painted 2 paintings on the accidentally purchased linens, each one a real pleasure. Next time I need supplies I intend to include linen in the mix, even though it is more expensive than cotton canvas.
