Saturday 28 November 2015

The new art blog begins

On advice from some art associates I respect, I have decided to start an art blog. As a introspective, introverted type, this will certainly be a new adventure in the world of promoting my art and sharing thoughts on the creative process. A new adventure begins.
Thoughts this morning as I read Timothy Keller's book Every Good Endeavor as he talks about J.R.R. Tolkien's less know writing called Leaf by Niggle. Note to find a copy and read. It is about an artist nearing the end of his life and ambitiously starts a massive painting only to paint one leaf.


"Everyone wants to be successful rather than forgotten, and everyone wants to make a difference in this life. But that is beyond the control of any of us."


Why is it so hard to accept this truth that so much of what I desire in art is completely out of my control and dependent on others. Some days I am so happy just having time to create but other days the human desire to achieve a small amount of success and apppreciation rears its head and takes away the joy of the process.


Also thought about the new Special K commercial that states almost every woman has a body hate moment every day. I would like to use the same wisdom to battle art discouragement. What if we ignored those things beyond our control, focused on the things we can change and just told that voice to "shut up". Like that a LOT.


Final quote taken from an OPUS newsletter. "If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced" - Vincent van Gogh. Was that before or after he cut off his ear?

Friday 27 November 2015

November 27th - a few pink petals

Today I worked on a small project for a friend at work and attempted to paint a few new pedals on on the current project - a cabbage plant (24"x 24" acrylic on canvas - a really big flower according to my husband). Thought to catch it in its beauty before it shrivels up in the -20 weather outside. So glad to finally be adding a new colour after a few weeks of painting off white pedals and grey shadows.


Have to admit it is difficult to focus while my daughter is playing on the computer (and very verbal throughout). Wonder how many artists have the luxury of separation from the domestic sphere or a separate work space to actually focus for any period of time...




Happy with my little side project and the few pink petals emerging today. Oh yeah, and proud to have figured out how to set up a blog.






No epiphanies today to make for exciting writing but tomorrow is a new day...