The Trojan Horse was surprising to both of us. Just how did this image develop, seemingly independently of plan or will? What was happening behind the Oz-like curtain of the studio process? Follow us through our start and stages.
The Start: We poured ink, gesso and paint. What a figure emerged! I named him The Prophet in my mind. It was off-balance composition, with emphatic marks and lines hovering like bats, and Halloween colors. Edgar Allen Poe might have been proud. We had agreed that we would work with large curves, a vertical or upright form somewhere, and calligraphic marker lines on this series, and all those forms were there– but– like a “bad” child, acting out. It wasn’t pleasing from the very start the way some of the abstract pours were; it was not initially not beautiful. However, it did invite radical action, which was fun.
Each Four Hands painting seemed to have its own soul or being trying to emerge. When two people work together, control is lessened and gaps are created where fate or luck can enter.
Each “problem” became an invitation in the next stages. Too warm? Add purple shapes. Periwinkle violet rectangles began to pop up. An “arm” of the form was eliminated. More gesso was combed on with one of Susan’s notched forms and a “coliseum” emerged. Horse + ruins =… oh dear, a Trojan Horse was emerging, that gift that kept on giving. The foreground aquired areas of blue and white as well. Torch forms, cakes, candles started to light things up with red. The canvas was very messy at this stage, with many distracting marks. Time to remove and transform. Heave-ho!
Susan had been exploring horses in her work, and I had just returned from Italy, where I bathed in Greco-Roman art and lost civilizations, so I supposed both of these elements emerged. Like a dream, though, it was more than that. The painting seemed related to Timeline in style and form, and was grouped with it in the show. Trojan Horse and Timeline share some aethetic of “event” or chronology, time on wires. You can see them together in the show.
More blue added, orange cut back, violet reduced, pure red accents. Opaques calm . A few greenish and brownish neutrals to rest the eye, and an iconic horse moves, as Joni Mitchell put it, on the “carousel of time.” Or a child’s hobby horse thumps through a field….What do you see? For another Four Hands painting, visit Susan Cornelis’ Conversations with the Muse.
I’ve posted a picture of the Four Hands Collaboration below and an invitation to the event at Phantom IV Gallery this Saturday afternoon and evening. Come celebrate with us if you can.
Saltworkstudio | Suzanne Edminster 
I’ll be there, but you know that. It will be good to see the actual paintings.
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I’m looking forward to your visit! I know you’ll enjoy meeting Susan Cornelis.
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But I didn’t meet her, although I looked at all her paintings more than once. I particularly liked the bird paintings and the ones with music motifs.
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I had no idea you didn’t meet her. Sorry! Her bird paintings are very compelling, I agree.
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Seeing the first stage of this painting again it could be the battle scene that ensued when the Greek soldiers inside the Trojan Horse led the attack on the city. The irony is that we’ve repeated the act of subterfuge, camouflaging the initial painting with the final strokes.
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A beautiful reading of the “text” of paint and canvas. Yes, it always did have a visionary feel of battles and fields. I love that you pointed out the irony of it… that the theme refused to be changed, but emerged again, victorious.
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Wonderful painting the two of you created! Thank you for sharing the process here… All the best for the opening this weekend!
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Thanks, Marco. Happy you liked it. Your excellent presentation at the Art at the Source gathering was so valuable. I felt you really supported both art and joy, and am planning on a lot of both at our opening reception.
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Hope that your reception went really well!
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Around 200 people and paintings sold on reception night. Very encouraging!
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Love it love it!! So colorful, powerful and strong!
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Hey Anne, did you know I spent time in south Norway? In Skien…(spelling?) I’m impressed with your blogs and support of the creative process. It will be fun to follow your adventures.
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Beautiful piece Susan and Suzanne. I enjoyed reading about your process. Best wishes at your opening tonight.
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Thank you, Debbie. I loved the wonderful abstracted mosaics on your site. I appreciate your attention.
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I love it!! Beautiful work you two – how exciting! sorry I missed the reception!
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Mardi, you’re the one with the insight into the depths of the mythical art horse. Your work is powerful. Looking forward to seeing your new pieces. Come by my door if you see the red truck in front of the studio. Are you blogging?
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