Beginning, middle, end

These three paintings are in various stages of completion: I just started the painting of the sheep today, while I am working to bring the painting of two male models to completion. Mike’s garden is pretty much done. The most difficult part of painting for me is finishing. I am not sure if it is the actual tasks involved or the anxiety it brings, but I feel aggravated. The questions I ask myself when I am trying to finish a painting add to the frustration. “Are you sure you are done?”; “Can you do better?”; and the old chestnut “Is it really good enough?”

Oil on canvas, 11 x 14 inches, beginning
Oil on canvas, 24 x 30 inches, 2021, in process
Oil on linen panel, 8 x 10 inches, 2021, complete