
The mess of love
The under-painting
was more complex
more contrived
had more definable colours
occupied the whole
of the canvas
What’s presented here
is a stripped back version
paint removed
by the application of turpentine
and a rub with a rag
so that the initial gestures
of the first intentions
are not shrouded by excess
Here the daub
is actually a disapplication
to leave virtually nothing
but the bare bones
It’s a messy canvas
because life is messy
Cadmium yellow
is the colour of love
and love as we all know
is messy too
John Lyons