Earlier in 2016, I had the opportunity to revisit older, unfinished works. “Laredo” was perhaps my longest-running unfinished work. I began the piece in 2005, I believe, and got as far as the model, the couch, the environment and piñata. Pretty much everything was done from the initial sitting, but the piece still lacked the finishing details.

To be honest, I was concerned about revisiting such an old piece. Would I be able to maintain the same brushwork? Would the new elements feel integrated?

I carefully plotted in the birdcage, beer bottles and caps, the book, and the floor fan. In the end, it all worked out. Everything feels unified now, and most importantly, the piece feels complete.

Laredo
Acrylic on canvas,
30 x 40 inches,
Painted 2005 (Completed 2016) by Matt Cauley.