Tonight is the turning point for the painting. It is close to completion. This one came together rather quickly. I guess it makes up for all the ones that make me sweat. The trees are in. There are just a few areas that need some finessing, primarily in the leaf mass and some touch up in the water.
Its title hasn't come to me yet, but the painting is talking to me, giving me hints as to what its story is.
Inspired by Julie & Julia, I vow today, Sunday, May 22, 2011, to paint every day for 365 days. It doesn't matter if I paint for a half hour or eight hours. It doesn't matter whether or not a gallery wants my work. It does not matter if it is seen by the public or not. The point is, I must paint for my sanity.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Discovery: Not every day is a paint day
Not every day is a paint day. It hit me, all of a sudden, that I am still an artist even if I don't paint every day. I can't be anything else, it's in my blood.
I got home late this evening. I ran some errands after work and walked Sammy when I got home. Then I ate something that could qualify as "dinner." I called my girl friend to see how she was doing. She had an operation today. Happy that she is doing fine, I went down to the studio, knowing I wasn't going to paint. I was too tired. This morning, I got up earlier than my usual early rise to visit City Hall to see the gallery space before heading to work. It actually is a wide hallway next to the Mayor's office.
Sometimes life gets in the way. I may not be able to paint every day, but, I will do something every day to advance the progress of the painting. This will help me remain connected to the painting. Being true to my vow, I drew some marks on the painting so I would be ready to paint tomorrow evening. What can I say, beat me with a wet noodle. Nobody is perfect.
I got home late this evening. I ran some errands after work and walked Sammy when I got home. Then I ate something that could qualify as "dinner." I called my girl friend to see how she was doing. She had an operation today. Happy that she is doing fine, I went down to the studio, knowing I wasn't going to paint. I was too tired. This morning, I got up earlier than my usual early rise to visit City Hall to see the gallery space before heading to work. It actually is a wide hallway next to the Mayor's office.
Sometimes life gets in the way. I may not be able to paint every day, but, I will do something every day to advance the progress of the painting. This will help me remain connected to the painting. Being true to my vow, I drew some marks on the painting so I would be ready to paint tomorrow evening. What can I say, beat me with a wet noodle. Nobody is perfect.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Day 3
It seems that you can never tell yourself that you'd just paint for a half an hour. The moment you put the brush to canvas, you are sucked into the great void of creativity-in-the-making.
I couldn't tear myself away, even though I kept telling myself that I had to go to sleep, that I had to get up early in the morning to see the gallery space at City Hall before driving to work. But no, I couldn't stop. I stepped back, gave a critical eye to the painting and fell right back into the void. It needed a little white here, a little orange there, Then, of course, it needed some blue. Once I touched it one place, another place called out to me, "Fix me here, fix me there."
Finally, I stopped. I cleaned off the brushes and covered the palette. The image was at a point where I could leave it, for now. It was well past the time I should be in bed. I went upstairs to Sammy, who I heard pacing the floor. He was waiting for me to come upstairs so he could be with me and go to sleep.
I couldn't tear myself away, even though I kept telling myself that I had to go to sleep, that I had to get up early in the morning to see the gallery space at City Hall before driving to work. But no, I couldn't stop. I stepped back, gave a critical eye to the painting and fell right back into the void. It needed a little white here, a little orange there, Then, of course, it needed some blue. Once I touched it one place, another place called out to me, "Fix me here, fix me there."
Finally, I stopped. I cleaned off the brushes and covered the palette. The image was at a point where I could leave it, for now. It was well past the time I should be in bed. I went upstairs to Sammy, who I heard pacing the floor. He was waiting for me to come upstairs so he could be with me and go to sleep.
Monday, May 23, 2011
The evening rush
The more I paint, the more I want to paint. To see the colors form light and texture on canvas. To watch the image unfold with every brush stroke. It is exhilarating. It feeds my soul like nothing else can.
It's getting late. I wish I could paint all night but I must go to sleep. Tomorrow is a work day.
It's getting late. I wish I could paint all night but I must go to sleep. Tomorrow is a work day.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Painting again
It felt so good to pick up a brush and start painting again. I began this painting months ago. It sat there on the easel, calling to me. I finally ripped myself away from procrastination -- finished washing the clothes and cleaning the house. I took Sammy out for his walk and settled into the studio. I was drawn to the painting like a magnet and picked up where I left off as if the image hung in the air waiting until I began layering it onto the canvas.
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