Late Night Painting

It started as a meditative mandala.  I had the intention to incorporate a lot of images similar to an Indian or a Native American style.  I drew some concentric circles, painted a base of pink (influenced by the recent pink full moon) and surrounded it by blues and purples.  Soon I was traveling far out in the universe.  Yes, when my mind wanders, I travel far, far away.  Painting late at night can lead to some fun experimental painting techniques, so I grabbed some colored sand and began sprinkling.  Most of this image, especially the original with the bright colors, is the sand that you see.  I did spray it with a clear varnish to help hold the sand on once the paint dried.  Once I had the image on the computer, I was able to play with digital editing.  I'm not always a computer's best friend, but I just love what it can do with an image.  There usually isn't any point to starting with a plan when I paint since it usually goes in a totally different direction. (Ok, that applies to the majority of my life.  I know.)

If you would like to leave some feedback, I would be interested to know which image is your favorite.  It's difficult to predict what people will be drawn towards.  I have my favorite, but I don't want to influence anyone.

Labradorite



Sunstone

Agate

Bloodstone



Obsidian

Creating a Painting is Like Building Your Own Burrito or Getting Sucked into a Good Book



Yet to be titled



I may have some similar styles or themes in my paintings, but I think the experimentation of new techniques and the surprise of the original image or emotions that come from each painting are what keeps me coming back for more.  I really don't go in with a plan.  It's like picking the restaraunt, but building your own meal as you go.  I chose art, then painting, then the brush or the hand, which paint, what colors and then where it goes.  I just watch the what is in front of me and follow.  This angel is a great example of that.  I really love bright colors now and she got lots of it.  She could be done, but she's not.  It's like a good book you don't want to end, so I'm going to keep reading.  I'm bet there's another book after this one, but I'm still enjoying this one.

Conversation with a Canvas

Look at the clouds in the sky.  What do you see? 

(Piles of cotton.)

Keep trying.

(Dragons and ducks.)

Ok, more.

(A waterfall with the mist rising, a fire, someone knitting, laughter, swirls…)

What colors do you see?

(White.)

And?

(Pink, orange, peach...like that creamy peach yogurt I had, blue as a Siamese cat’s eyes.)

What feelings do you feel?

(Calm…silly, pleasant, humble.)

What’s it telling you?

(It’s time to play.)

Listen.  Give it what wants.

A Need to Play

If I don't take time for "free play" with my art, I get a little cranky. It's my release. As I've been setting up this website and working on a few other projects, I kept denying myself the opportunity to create for no other reason than just that. Ick! That could go on forever. There's always something that needs to be done.
Once I found my excuse to slap some blank paper on the wall not knowing what it would become, all my concerns just drained away. It's easy to look back and wonder why I didn't let myself do that in the first place. Must have been a lot stuck in my mind, because some funny things came out.

"Don't Give Up Five Minutes Before the Miracle"

(I have had a horrible time uploading this image!??!

Watch This!

So many things we do in life are about the process and not the end result or product.  That seems to be especially true for many artists.  Intuitive painting can tell a story.  Quite often it teaches a lesson or reveals something to us.  Making this video has allowed me to share a part of my process of creating art. 

 

I don't really have any insight on the origin of the crow or the flamingo.  The mood sure does change though.  I really liked the crow, but I like change too!

 

 

 

 

What's It Like to Paint?

 

 

My art at Etsy

Do you know that warm tingly feeling you feel on your skin when you step into the sunlight?  Imagine that same feeling, but it comes from inside.

I was able to videotape myself painting this piece, but the computer gods do not want me to upload it.  It's rather surprising to me to watch the process over again on a video.  I forget about some of the stages my paintings go through.  This lady started out as what looked like a tree growing in a boat.  For many of my paintings, I don't set out knowing what it will look like or what will appear.  I like to compare it to gazing at the clouds until you see an image.  The paint glides around the surface until something is ready to emerge.

 

My art at Etsy

 

I really can't think of anything I'd rather be doing right now than painting. So it's thrilling if someone else finds joy in viewing my art.

 

 

It's in the Eye of the Beholder (or something like that)

Seeing the reaction of others and hearing their comments when they viewed my art last night was pretty awesome.  I wasn't sure what to expect having so many people, several that I've never met, see my work...in person!  I could pull a Sally Field and say, "You like my art!  You really like my art!"  But it's much more than that. 

It's similar to life, you find what you seek.  Look for trouble, ta-da, trouble is found.  What jumps out at you when looking at art, can be a reflection of you in some way.  I'm not saying to over analyze it.  If you see a tiger, does it mean you're a tiger?  Uh, no.  But what do you notice about the tiger?  Is it calm and worry free like something you're seeking for yourself?  I enjoyed hearing someone refer to the bullfrog as Buddha.  And another woman described the peacock as wise and hinted that the bird was not young, but still had all her color and was full of life.  Anyone within ear shot could have told you that that woman was looking in the mirror. 

As the creator of the art, I know my story behind the images.  I love that people can look at it and see their own tale.  I receive lots of guidance from my work.  I'm thrilled that others enjoy watching my journey through my paintings.

 

 

But an animal is missing...

...the kiwi is all ready to go to his new home.

Everyone's Home