Jan 9, "Between"

So I've been working on a few otters, for the upcoming show at the Duluth Aquarium... and it is so crazy, the monochromatics and the few shots that work, and figuring out which view to paint- I spent well over two hours today trying to plan a painting, from two photos, and it just isn't jelling.  There's a part of me who wants these to be partially abstract, and there's a part of me who fights the idea of abstraction because I don't think that's valid painting.  There.  I've said it.  I don't understand it so I don't like it.  Though I have to admit there are abstractionists whose work knocks my socks off.  Helen Frankenthaler, Mark Rothko, Ellsworth Kelly.  But I don't know how to swing an otter into that league.  And I don't really trust people who paint abstractly unless I see that they have an understanding of actual drawing and composition and value and all that.  It seems too easy to throw some color down and have a great statement of what it means, and not have any depth. I know I trust people too easily.
Anyway, I am painting these otters who feel partially abstract.
Here's one of them.

16x20 acrylic on canvas, purchase HERE for $700