Monday, September 23, 2013

Excited About Monday!

This morning I was so excited to get to the studio and start painting. It's because I love to paint, of course, but also because of this new thing I am trying. I am excited to see how this painting and then blogging right after will go. I hope I can stick with it for a while. What would be neat is when someone sees a painting being created; they see it being born and all then all grown up and ready to move away and then they decide that painting is meant to live with them. That would be really amazing for me. It would mean that the future collector could connect with their piece and with my creative process as it is happening! 

First thing today, I sat down in my chair and stared at my works in progress. I decided I wanted to start a new painting which always begins with a scoop of Wood Icing. I love the word yes on my scraper tool. It has a good side and a bad side to it, so I labeled it YES and NO on either side, so I would remember the good side. Plus I love as I am spreading paste around my board I get to read the word YES. It's so positive and affirming. Like YES! I am creating!

This is the piece I started. I had a dream last night that I should use chromium green and copper in a painting. I might end up doing that with this painting, but I don't know yet. I used my rake tool for some of the texture and I incorporated some gold flakes into the texture. It is 48"x12". 



I added gray to the top half of this 32"x24" piece that I used silver flakes in last Friday. Then I added some blue gray to the bottom half. I need to let it dry today before I touch it again. I still have my color plan, but the green gold keeps peeking out at me, urging me to change the plan a little. We will see...

This is my 24"x48" Chicago inspired city skyline from last week. I added some cream or off white to the top and worked on the turquoise and brown a little more. 

These paintings in progress are very hard for me to share with you. I am realizing that it is very safe for me to show my paintings all finished and ready for public viewing, but these guys are in their awkward phase right now. It makes me feel very vulnerable to let you see them this way. I learned recently in Brene Brown's Ted Talk, that allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can be powerful. So right now, I am trying to have the "courage to be imperfect" and let you see it. I feel a little more sweaty than courageous right now, but what the heck, here we go.... 

6 comments:

  1. I like seeing and reading about your works in progress. It makes me realize that my works can look just ok as I'm working but can end up A-ok if I just keep at it. I love the brave way you use colors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sandy, that makes me feel better! And I love the beautiful way you use color!

      Delete
  2. Happened upon your blog & wanted to find out about wood icing. My head is spinning with possibilities. Just a 65 yo newbie artist wanna-be. Vulnerable is strengthening. We grow from revealing ourselves. I felt part of your process & am learning so much! Thank you again & again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Karen Jo! Thank you for stopping by. You will love Wood Icing. It is a great medium to experiment with in finding your own voice and style, and the possibilities are truly endless!

      Delete
  3. I love seeing works in progress. I'm trying to do more of that myself but half the time I forget to take photos as I go along but then there is also that feeling of vulnerability too. Love your use of color, I especially love that turquoise brown combo. Hoping to get some painting in myself tomorrow. You've inspired me to try and capture some more of my process.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great to hear from you Kathryn. I am already learning how this can be a valuable exercise, but it is definitely and emotional challeng for me to share things that I am not finished with and proud of yet. Good luck with yours!

      Delete

Thank you for reading my blog and for taking the time to comment!