Gracie, 12 x 12, Pastelbord

On Monday I will be holding a discussion with my advanced class on the “wow” factor. I was first introduced to this concept by Richard McKinley at a workshop in 2008. And the Pastel Journal, in its April issue on the Pastel 100, has included a special article on the “wow” factor and what it means for jurists.  They cover many things, but the one that seems to be at the center is the emotional factor.  When a painting encompasses the “wow” factor it speaks to others. But lately, I’ve been thinking about a different concept–“pastel bliss”–to coin my own phrase.  I experienced this last Monday when I did a small 6 x 12 painting in class. The composition came together nicely, I liked the colors, the surface and pastels were working well and every stroke brought enjoyment. And the one problem area was quickly resolved by pieces of grass that I love. (My photo of the painting didn’t work well, but it was filmed yesterday and I will share it when the disk is received.) For now, I’ll share the picture of my mother’s cat, Gracie, another painting that came together in two hours and basically painted itself.  The difference that I’m speaking about is the impact on others of some paintings vs. the enjoyment we receive when we paint certain paintings. I guess that perfect bliss is achieved both the pleasure and the “wow” element are combined in the same painting.  But sometimes, the pleasure alone is enough. When people ask me at a show what my favorite painting is, invariably it’s the one that I enjoyed painting the most. Others have no knowledge of this and assess the paintings based on their own experiences and how the paintings speak to them. This is as it should be.  Which brings me back to the element of emotion in our paintings. This is very difficult for me to describe or define. I rarely like paintings that are too obviously meant to stir the emotions. So I think it’s something that comes from within, from the relationship we have to the subject matter. Last week’s painting was another snow picture from Mattapoisett, from a place I visit every time I’m there and near our first house. So I know the feeling of it well. Perhaps that translates as I’m painting.  It’s definitely not a “wow” picture. It’s very quiet and I have no idea whether anyone else would find it emotionally appealing. But it speaks to me.