So one final act of deconstruction / reconstruction has wrapped up the watercolour project for now at least...
The squares are satisfying as examples of "pure" watercolour painting and are representative of what I've come to realise I like and admire so much about the medium.
Yes, I'm still wearing my comfort blanket of needing to "make" / take into 3D for a final conclusion.
Reflecting upon the journey - writing the blog posts is so valuable in helping me to do this - I love how it began with rather literal paintings of natural forms in a studio still life setting and then "through process" has led me to what could be described as an abstract, minimalist 3D conclusion.
Following the process, trusting the process, letting go of any ideas outside of the process which means not knowing where you'll end up. This is where the joy and excitement of making art lies for me.
So to conclude, what have I learned about watercolour? That I love the medium for its own sake - Its ability to stain, soak, absorb and run. The beauty and richness of the colours. It's wonderful opacity and at the same time transparency. The fact that it's so hard to control and works so much better if given some freedom to be left to its own devices. It is knowing all of this that has lead me on a journey to where I just don't know.... and it's THAT which makes it exciting.
The rather old fashioned and genteel image I had of watercolour has most certainly be dispelled!