When It's Good Painting

Artist and medical doctor, Born in Canada. My art revolves around expressionism and minimalism. I begin painting with bold gestural marks and as the piece moves along, the marks get less frequent and a little more thought out. I think about how much I need to say and when is the right time to stop so that the piece can be kept fresh and not denatured by too much rationalization. I like my right brain to do most of the work so that an emotion that is more intuitive and mysterious can be caught. I try to leave the painting be at that stage where it is fresh but feels special. It can easily go just a little too far and get "ruined" as it turns into a painting in transition phase, heading for something completely different but that wouldn't be as aerated and spontaneous. Abstraction gives a unique and mysterious image on which both the artist and the onlooker can project. It leaves us completely free to move the composition around, to play and to explore and it is my subject of choice. I am also very interested by what unique image can take form in the moment without any preconception. Abstraction is a very good vehicle to allow for release and to open possibilities. The minimalist design plays with the notions of expression and retention. How much do I need to say? When is it time to let go and leave something be? When does something become worthy of meaning?