Why I Paint on Wood
ABSTRACT PAINTING ON WOOD
Regularly I’m busy creating a body of work for an upcoming show. Sometimes I have the fun opportunity to demo at these shows and just like my paintings on display in the show, I choose to use cradleboards (wooden frame with a board attached to it) for the demo.
A recurring question I get from viewers at the show is: “Why do you prefer painting on wood instead of on canvas?”
INSPIRATION FOR PAINTING
Well, for me it’s an easy choice! It starts when I take off the wrapping and I smell the wood - there’s just something about it! The sanded, smooth, natural surface is so inviting to me, making it easy to begin my mark making which is the start of my painting process.
CREATIVE PAINTING OPTIONS
Wood allows me to be more creative in my artwork process for several reasons including:
I can scrape and gouge it
I can leave some of the wood showing as part of the painting which can be interesting since the wood has it’s own colours and characteristic
I can vigorously sand it, revealing previous paint layers creating super interesting textures as a background
It doesn’t tear, sag, flex or warp - like canvas can - it’s tough!💪
THE JOY OF ABSTRACT PAINTING
Bottom line - cradleboards allow me to express myself fully with any tool, in any way and as an abstract expressionist painter, things can get a little crazy.
Thanks very much for joining me on my art journey, it means a lot to be able to share it with you!
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