In the interest of life-learning as an ongoing journey, I've been sharing my experience with an online art course that I'm taking. The third week of the Bloom True e-course was a bit of a struggle for me. The exciting newness of expressing myself in colorful, intuitive painting strokes was wearing off and the self-doubt of "not good enough", "not really an artist", and "wasting my time/paint" crept in. My inner critic wanted to judge each layer as if I had something to prove, even though I'm a total novice and I'm still in the experimental stages of these paintings. When I could get out of my own way, it was still quite an exciting process that I enjoyed. It took some gentle bravery to keep showing up at the canvas on week three, though. It would have been easy to be too discouraged, and therefore too busy, bringing the girls to gymnastics and band, reading to them and helping them with their learning endeavors, cooking, prepping for Halloween, etc., etc. We all (especially parents) can always be too busy to pursue our interests. My kids happen to be old enough that I can (without too much difficulty) make time to do this, but I'm not practiced at it yet.
canvas one: adding black/white contrast and translucent washes
photo prompt: light
leek seed-head used as a painting tool
Camille's progress and contrast layers (I)
(II)
My girls are an inspiration for me. They pursue their interests un-apologetically.
living-room dancing lessons from Sylvia
Camille and I are also collaborating on a painting. Without discussing where it's going, we take turns spontaneously adding a layer of paint, just playing with the colors and textures. I have no idea where my own paintings are headed either, at this point. As a bonus, it's easier to withhold self-judgement and the desire to pin it down when we collaborate.
canvas three: added-contrast layer
This wild painting made me almost physically uncomfortable. It felt so out of control. The course teacher, Flora Bowley, often mentioned that we will all experience an 'awkward teenage' phase where we don't like our paintings. Taking risks and moving out of our comfort zones is inevitably going to be messy sometimes.
If I don't like what is on the canvas, it gives me a place of total freedom to move forward. Nothing to lose, right? I kept thinking of this one as an ugly duckling.
canvas three: translucent layer
a fancy witch, a prairie girl, and a huntress . . . all with sparkly faces
After Halloween festivities ended, Sylvia joined us in painting. She chose a small canvas with a butterfly printed on it.
canvas two: contrast and translucent layers
canvas two: adding imagery
...and, ooooh, one of my paintings is starting to evolve.
Thus ended week three: creating art, spending time in nature, finding inspiration in my life, celebrating Halloween, and standing up to the inner critic.
ah! i'm enjoying the whole process, but i LOVE where your painting is going! the imagery layered on top of the layers...wow. that is awesome. and the huntress in the moon (my interpretation!) is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Slim. I'm so glad that huntress agreed to show up on my canvas. She makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteway to take time for yourself :)
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