The idea for this painting came from walking in the mountains. I wanted to make a painting which was more about the experience of walking uphill, than a portrait of a hill or mountain. I have called it ‘A Spiritual Path’, as it is about the push to keep going in life when the path seems steep or challenging.
I looked at Hokusai’s ‘Climbing on Mount Fuji’ as inspiration, in particular the abstract, atmospheric feel, the mark making and colour
Climbing on Mount Fuji
by Katsushika Hokusai (1760 – 1849)
Maisie on my lap while I contemplate the work of Hokusai and plan my painting and Walter mows the lawn!
Painting mapped out
‘A Spiritual Path’ is a large canvas, 110 x 150 cm.
I painted standing up keeping the thought of walking on rough ground as I made the marks on canvas, inspired too by my current explorations with The Alexander Technique. I wrote a blog as a warm up to the painting ‘On Being Wiggly, Part 2 – Here is a link to part 1 and 2
And here is the path of the painting –
Maisie with ball on table, she knows the game of art or the art of the game!
I have to chuck the ball out of the open studio door between brush strokes to keep her entertained while I paint.
Looking like a big breast at this stage!
I guess that is Tinto the fire hill for you.
Wanting to bring in a suggestion of
Fallburn Roman Fort at the bottom of Tinto,
the semi circle marks
Decide to
A Spiritual Path
by Kirsten Harris
Oil on Canvas
110 x 150 cm
Before
After!!!! Several days later
Brushes stuffed into rubber gloves to stop them drying out during the process!
Messy Painter! : )
This painting will be exhibited at 36 Views of Tinto Exhibition, Tolbooth, Lanark
16 May – 6 June 2018