John Clapp
Illustration
( 20k), large version (99k)
Personal Project
Watercolor on paper
Problem:
Over the next year I am looking to adjust the kind
of commercial work I'm getting. I like what I do, but as in acting, playing the same part
all the time can become tiresome. To that end I've been working on some experimental
projects to expand the range of my portfolio.
To make the projects more relevant, I construct "assignments" for myself to force myself into making an illustration as opposed to a picture. This was an imagined stamp celebrating horse racing.
Solution:
I've been looking to loosen up my commercial work,
get more texture and brushwork back into the paintings. This is one of the first paintings
I've done with this in mind.
These paintings are a lot of fun to do, but they will probably shorten my lifespan. You know you are getting a good one when you think you've ruined it...if you continue ruining it you will eventually get lucky and for a moment it will look really good. The key is seeing that moment and making yourself stop.
I don't paint these. I put paint on a page and when it chooses to look good, I leave it alone.