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
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!
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
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.
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
smiling so big that you've painted 75 faces... : )
love,
lynne
I wish I could paint like you. I love your girl faces, they are so colorful and fun!
Keep it up!
Hugs,
Gaby