I started this by looking at one of a set of art books belonging to my artist grandfather. I have had these for years. The books feature very famous artists, mostly “old masters” and are mainly in black & white, with only a few color plates. I don’t want to keep them, but don’t want to get rid of them either!
Perhaps this painting is something of an exorcism: maybe I will lay the ghosts of the “old masters” of realism, and also the ghost of my grandfather such that I can finally give away the box of art books that are stored up in my studio loft.