Painting BIG is fun! (trust me)

BIG paintings have a certain kind of “energy” and “personality” that small paintings simply just don’t have. A BIG painting is bold, strong, and it commands attention. Painting BIG requires courage, trust and intuition.

There is no hiding when you paint BIG.

As I paint BIG I find myself feeling empowered. It gives me the kind of freedom and wild abandon that painting small just can’t impart.

It’s as if I am exclaiming to the world: I am here! I will not hide. I will not excuse myself. Look at me! I am important enough to be here.

The process of painting BIG doesn’t have to be intimidating but it does means you have to keep your eye on the BIG picture.

Practically speaking, this means you will have to paint faster (keep your water bottle handy to constantly spray the canvas to keep the paint wet and workable) and it means you will need a lot more paint and medium. (student acrylics and Home Depot here I come!)

Lastly, I paint BIG on the floor. Always on the floor! I find that it’s easier for me to maneuver around my painting and see it from all angles. Besides, it’s a lot more fun. And ultimately, isn’t that what this is supposed to be about in the first place?

Join me tomorrow for my Oversized Canvas Workshop at the Calgary School of Art.