The Five Stories Of Every Painting

‘Beach Shadows’ by Mike Barr

Oil on canvas 123cm x 63cm

The five stories of every painting

These days a lot of emphasis is placed on paintings needing a story,  However, there is one than one story when it comes to a painting and most artists will recognise them when I list them.

First, there is the intent of the artist before the brush touches paint. It can range from a place, thing or person of great importance to the artist. Or it can be something as simple as the artist seeing something they think could make a great painting, either one of their own photos or someone elses.

The second story relates to the actual production of the painting. There are lots of stories to tell about this – as artists will know. It is largely an untold story and it includes what is going on in the life of an artist at the time. Obstacles in the form of everyday life and family often have to be negotiated before we entertain time at the easel. Problems with materials and hold-ups with the painting itself have to be overcome before we have a finished work. Even the simplest painting can be a triumph.

The third is the story in the painting. This story can often change as we progress through the work, but when its done, the full story is revealed to the artist. There is no doubt that a special relationship is formed with paintings that some artists find that they can’t let go of them!

The Fourth relates to what others think of our paintings in an exhibition. Despite what an artists intent was when they started the painting, viewer form their own feeling about the work. Some of the stories that viewers see can be quite breathtaking as it intertwines with their own experiences of life. A relationship with a painting often leads to a sale and a new life. You can see of course that this viewers story can be unlimited In number depending how many eyes lay eyes on it.

The fifth story is the life of a painting after it goes into the big gallery world or in a new home after a sale. Every now and then a strange story comes to light about a painting that has long left the home of an artist. Some years ago, someone who owned an opportunity shop found a way of contacting me about a painting that had my signature. She asked if it was worth much. I said no as it was one of my early ones. She took it home and then sometime later she emailed again to ask if it was done in a time of trouble – she felt there were bad vibes in the house after it was hung. To be honest I was at a loss, but what an interesting story. Paintings really do take on new lives as they witness the life of new owners.

Whenever I’m in the midst of a mixed exhibition of paintings I’m always aware of the untold stories of all the paintings that are hanging. Everyone very different.

Caption: Beach Shadows. Oil on canvas 120x60cm. This painting went to a gallery in the US. The gallery closed down and the owner sent the canvas back rolled in a tube. I missed the postal delivery and didn’t spot the small note in the letter box to say that it being held at the post office. So it was sent back to the sender in the US. After another attempt it arrived in Australia but held up in customs because the value was over $1000. A lot of back and forth came to a stalemate and the last question was how much was it worth rolled up in a tube – it wasn’t much of course and then they told me it was on the way to me. Now it is freshly framed and on the way to the Artworx Gallery at Goolwa. It certainly is a painting with more than one story and its still not finished.