Dave, this is beautiful – a really nice memento of those times, and your impressions of life going in in the bar, while your band is working! (In my opinion), a painting in this state looks very fresh, the brushwork and lines are strong as they have immediacy. I always think that your work is very good and resembles an editorial cartooning style – breezy look but always telling an interesting story. With that in mind, this seems fine as it is.

However, if you might be bothered later on that you didn’t do as much with it as you would have liked, then definitely work on it more. It’s a fine line between “finished” and “overworked” though, as I’ve found out in my own pieces – especially with acrylics, they look very fresh and stimulating (brushwork and clean, intense colors, as you have done) – and that can be ultimately lost by doing too much, and flatness can take over. Don’t let that happen, that’s the only thing that should not happen. But do whatever your instincts are telling you.

I’m a bit more concerned about this being hidden behind the first painting, in the frame – and am worried. Do you have confidence that your cousin will open the frame within a reasonable amount of time? What if it’s 5-10-25 years from now? Will you still be around, will this be in the possession of someone else? If it’s many years gone by, will it just be donated (perhaps, as-is, still hidden), will the story of this painting ever be known? I think then, make sure to SIGN and date this one, and if you want, write in pencil a brief summary of what you stated above (what it’s telling us about your impressions). I hope you’ll re-think this idea, as this is a really nice telling of a tale and deserves to be seen, and appreciated. NOW, not a generation from now!

Especially since your cousin is prominently featured in the painting – she might want to see it – and display it sooner, rather than (possibly much) later.

Cathy

Love your stories that give voice to these delightful paintings