Why I paint

This image of colours
on canvas
means nothing but
cadmium red
and cadmium yellow
applied with strokes
of a thick fibred brush

Is it a landscape
or a thoughtscape
or do the shapes refer
to anything at all ?

There are sensuous lines
that seem to flow
around a hollow
providing elements perhaps
for a composition
There is light and darkness
and just enough to create
the illusion of mystery

and yet this image
I should say this canvas
no longer exists
except in this archived
electronic shot
the original having been
obliterated by layer upon layer
of other colours
in other shapes

I paint because every attempt
is a voyage of discovery
I paint in the hope that one day
I will reach my newfoundland
I paint to create a context
within which to live
my life and my love to the full

John Lyons

Rule of thumb

Sometimes
           when preparing
a canvas
           it’s best
just to allow
           the basic geometries
of energy and colour
           to take over
not to overthink
           the composition

In this canvas
           the paint has been
thinly applied
           at first with a brush
before being marshalled
           by the palette knife

The blank page
           and the blank canvas
have so much in common :
           the rule is simple
don’t hang back
           if it doesn’t work out start again
but don’t get uptight
           Sometimes she loves you
sometimes she does not
           Get over it

John Lyons