Can it be?? Really?

























Got an anonymous comment (four to be exact) on my last post about how vanilla my title was and that I really should add more content. Then anonymous went on to say I should visit Yahoo (not that yahoo, for sure!), and so on. I love reading those - the bad grammar, broken sentences, what a hoot!

As I've continued to paint faces on a daily basis, I believe I've (finally) turned a corner. After complaining to my husband that they all my faces looked like a variation on the same theme, I realized that's because I've been using the same approach. And, Jim told me I really needed to loosen up before another, truer voice would appear. How true! Instead of starting off with torn bits of pages I'd painted, I went with black gesso, such a stark difference. Then I added color(s) and then scribbled on the background to show some character and hopefully a bit of the black.



Below is the beginning of the painting I posted last week - fairly bizarre - at least to my prior thinking style. But the more scribbly I worked, the more fun I had, and with results that I'm actually pleased with. A month ago I would have looked at the above beginning with horror - you mean, it's OK not to make pretty art (as my good friend Lesley Riley says)??



I'm a long way from where I want to be but so much closer than I was a week ago - if that makes sense. The word journey is defined as: traveling from one place to another. While I've kept the music blaring (headphones are my security blanket) and the coffee brewing, I came to see that this alteration in approach was the only way to get to the next place. And to me there is nothing more alive and exciting than being immersed in truly creative process, not over-thinking, just doing. After all, a bit of paint and an 8x10 canvas from Dick Blick aren't really that expensive. So, I hope you'll agree that I'm learning to loosen up a bit and play!




















The anonymous poster also said I should add more content to my posts. Hmmm, I've always thought I had a decent blend of writing and art. Perhaps I'll visit Yahoo...


Comments

CatieAn said…
First of all...since you are inviting comments....I think anyone that signs on as anonymous has and opinion that does not count
We all name our blogs what we want, for whatever reason. It is personal.

I like the way you changed things up when you experimented with new techniques and a new approach. We all need to shake things up once in a while to change our perspective. I like your portrait!
February 2, 2014 at 2:52 PM
~*~Patty S said…
May I say I think your Anonymous commenter sounds a bit DOFFY and knows not of what they speak :)

Each of these pieces really call me in to look deeper and enjoy your marks ... all of them!

Great advice from your Jim and something for us all to strive for!

Thank you for helping me in my journey to loosen up and be more fearless...

I hope you keep sharing your wonderful creativity with us along with your always super narrative too!
oxo
February 2, 2014 at 4:02 PM
Caterina Giglio said…
If they can't leave their name.. Then why consider their comments.. Love your blog, work and writing..
February 2, 2014 at 4:59 PM
Bleubeard and Elizabeth said…
Your new approach is really unique. I like where your art is taking you. It suits you and it's a great way to learn what you enjoy and what you don't.

I used to get lots of anonymous comments, but I don't have comment moderation on my blog. I finally had to get rid of the anonymous and it's made me much happier.

You asked about my mists. I make no secret. I have the link posted on the blog post where you asked about them. It is shown in green and takes you to a new screen. However, feel free to visit my Tutorials page near the top of my blog. I document the original post and the updated post, where I show that I've learned a few things after the first time I made them. You find the original under Tutorials named "Handmade shimmer color mists" and the updated post is below it. Hope that helps, dear.
February 3, 2014 at 10:27 AM
Katie Jeanne Wood said…
I've been painting for 5 1/2 years now, and I gotta tell you..I'm not where I want to be yet, either. I think if I ever reach that place, I'll throw in the towel, and quit. What fun will it be anymore? ;) :D
February 6, 2014 at 2:07 PM
Katie Jeanne Wood said…
Patti, I think you've got your own thing going on, and you have a fun, quirky style, which makes you unique. You might not see it because you're too close to your work, but I see your style..and it's delightful, and charming. Your paintings make me smile. :)

I remember thinking for soooo long that I didn't have a style, but people kept telling me I did. I couldn't see it. It's hard to look at our own work, objectively, and not be judging our every brush stroke. It's so easy to say, I don't like this, this and this about my painting. Every artist does it. I don't know one artist who loves their own work..we just reach a point of accepting ourselves, flaws and all. You'll drive yourself bonkers if you don't, trust me. lol

I honestly hope you don't change too much. I really like your style, just as it is now. It's quirky, and FUN!! :)

Have you listened to Finding Your Signature Style from Artist Helping Artists, yet? It just came out a couple weeks ago.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artistshelpingartists/2014/01/16/finding-your-signature-style
February 6, 2014 at 3:12 PM
lynne h said…
patti, you are a gem... ignore that ridiculous comment!!

smiling so big that you've painted 75 faces... : )

love,

lynne
February 6, 2014 at 8:24 PM
Seth said…
Hey Patti. Ditto what everybody said about anon. And I love the journey that you are on and the experimentation that you do!
February 7, 2014 at 1:32 AM
Gaby Bee said…
I think you should ignore these anonymous comments...everyone has already got such annoying comments.
I wish I could paint like you. I love your girl faces, they are so colorful and fun!

Keep it up!

Hugs,
Gaby
February 7, 2014 at 1:59 AM
J C said…
Hi Patti. Well, I didn't go back and try to find those anonymous comments you spoke of, but I'll tell you I linked here from Healing Woman BECAUSE of your title. It intrigued me and I'm not sorry I came. Your art is sweet, and it really shows you have an understanding of color. I've been painting for a hundred and fifty years (well, almost) and I've never come close to the understanding of pretty color combinations in your last face posted. It's awesome! I scrolled some too. Thank you for taking the caterpillar back into the woods. I loved that. Nice to meetcha!
February 9, 2014 at 2:55 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One World One Heart

Image
When I started this blog in the spring of 2008, I wondered who would read it... and why? Did I have anything to say that would be of interest or invoke a reaction? Offer hope, inspiration, a laugh, maybe the realization that someone else really does know how you feel? Little did I know that I would meet such an incredible wealth of amazing, warm, welcoming creatives, some of whom have become very close friends. I don't like to imagine life without them. I visit some artists who post new work nearly every day. Wow, how I wish. Then there are those, like me, who try to post weekly in the hopes that friends and a few new readers will keep showing up. I get personal and often deviate from art, technique, workshops and such; I guess that comes from being a lifelong writer. There is the occasional trip to the soapbox, dealing with a chronic illness, raising kids, rationalizing the creative endeavors that supersede chores on the to-do list, a bit of poetry... One of the most popular posts
Read more

Fall Giveaway!

Image
What's your favorite season? Read on, leave a comment and on October 31st I'll pick (randomly, of course) the winner of a seasonal box of goodies. took a walk the other day and yep, the air had that unmistakable chill, unlike a random cold snap in the summer. the leaves turning, bulbs waiting to be planted and roots going dormant for the winter that are felt more than smelled. unlike the triumphant scents of blossoms carried in the limbs of honeysuckle and rose bushes, mimosas and lilies in spring. Cats curled in nooks and tight against porch railings; I believe they, too, know it will soon be time to go inside, aside from the daily foray into the bright slant of sun that is another sign of fall. the pumpkins laugh, already, at the thought of Halloween, a wild night of surprise and celebration in our neighborhood. the mums almost look out of place, the bright color alongside the browning grass... autumn and spring are my favorite seasons, though they are the hardest on those of
Read more

Patti Edmon Abstract Artist

Image
Patti Edmon Intuitive Abstract Artist   Welcome (website coming soon) and thanks for stopping by!  I live and work with artist Jim Edmon, my husband and partner for 36 years, and my cat Picasso.  My studio is in a renovated attic in a historic brick foursquare in downtown Lexington, Kentucky.  My work is inspired by memory, curiosity and a very vivid imagination, which I failed to understand in childhood. But that's another story. I'm fascinated by color and shape and creating movement on a still surface.  Each painting has a unique history and is made layer by layer with mark, texture and expressions of connection and deep, meaningful emotion. All paintings are for sale (unless otherwise noted) and I'd love to share details, closeup images and answer any questions you might have. Contact info below. I'll be adding more work and updating photos soon, and I'm currently accepting commissions.  Imaginary Landscapes  I've created new work for a solo show that opens
Read more