Composition

I noticed the painted circle on the sidewalk to the left of the cup mouth. I liked the way they echoed each other. You could even say there are three circles in play, the rim, the glass inside the cup and the spray paint. This got me thinking about composition. Before I get started, this picture and post relates to earlier posts Here, Here and Here. It would be good to control the composition of my paintings better. To add, remove or change things that allow the balance one sees in strong compositions. To knowingly create the dialogue between aspects of the painting that makes it interesting if not attractive. The "here" examples are some accidents that demonstrate these ideas. Looking at good paintings, or even photographs I suppose, these things are always there and found with little effort. Pieces of red that line up in a Degas or the way horizon line and something in the foreground mimic each other are examples. It might be true that effort of reigning in the chaos for abstract painting highlights this even more so. To create these moments would be great and powerful to have on ones metaphorical tool belt. I do not doubt some of these things happen instinctually and/or subconsciously.They also do happen by choice but as a rule they are not happening in the painting in any masterful way. I am sure there are exercises and decisions that strengthen this aspect of the composition. This too will go on my "to do" list.