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In the later '60's he began to use acrylics instead of oils which may explain his increased use of overlays, although he continued to use washes as well.  His colors ranged more widely instead of being relatively restricted. His strokes were still broad but there was a sense of more careful application. The compositions became less complicated, with larger color areas, although perhaps contrasted with smaller forms. Even so, the feeling of spontaneity was retained but in addition the results appeared more alive, almost musical [[struck out]] rhythmical in feeling. 

(James Brooks' painting has changed and developed over the years.) Now, in the 1970's instead of small lyrical intertwined forms, there are more simplified, dynamic, large forms making a strong positive statement. His method of working has changed, too. He starts his canvases on the floor because he is using a very liquid paint as a ground which is usually black. Then white is laid over the black in areas making gray, then more white is added so when later painted [striked out] on [striked out] upon it is like using color on a white ground which brings out its brilliance. Sometimes the ground might be a color such as in FANGLE, 1973, which had an orange ground and Persolis, 1973, which has strong brilliant orange-red and was worked over a red ground. Brooks then tacks the canvas on the wall. While paiting, if the canvas beings to lose its freshness, he can turn it on its side or upside down and continue painting. As he says, "which side is 'up' never concerns me." He can now keep two or three canvases going by stopping work when he seemingly cannot resolve an area and work on another painting. Now, he says that when he returns to the first painting, in a day or two, he sees it anew or asses it with a fresh vision. [[struck out]] eyes (as the saying goes). [[struck out]]  Jim said [[struck out]] to me, [[struck out]] "Painting is just excruciatingly impossible, you know, because you never know, at least I never know, where I'm going. That's the interest of it also, I realize. That's the way 

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