question of consistency in style

[Mary Cupp]

I wanted to get some feedback about a problem I have been having. I was recently rejected by a gallery and one of the criticisms that they made was that my work was not consistent enough. This is not the first time I have heard this. The problem is that I tend to oscillate between a more broken impressionist brushwork and a smoother stroke. Sometimes in the process of working on a painting I will move between one and the other as the painting progresses. I was told that a more definite style would come as I continue to work. But it is not as if I was a beginning painter. I have been at this for years.

I am wondering if this has been a problem for anyone else and what they have done about it.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

I know what they mean, I've just checked your website.

You can have two or three styles, but you need to choose which one you'll use as your main style.

If someone had showed me some of your work, I'd say that they were painted by different artists, and that's why they are complaining.

As you mentioned before, usually students have a hard time finding their own way of expression, but these problems vanish away with time and practice.

You have talent, you only need to choose your main style of self-expression. (drawing in charcoals will help you a lot)

Ps. I liked those cows and horses very much.