Transfers....

I've struggled endlessly with encaustic transfers, but I finally have one! It's not pristine, but it's recognizable! 

The Complexity of Time...

"It is never to late to be what you might have been." George Elliot

I am a late bloomer; there's just no denying it. Has it been an interesting path that has brought me here?  Sure, some of it, but parts of it were dry as the desert floor.  The thing is, fast or slow, exciting or dull, the time has past and here I am, knocking on creativity's door.  I do struggle to learn the technology that will allow me to connect with others, and feel a bit bad, deep down, that it took me so long to find my place, but if I don't start now yet another ten years will pass me by.  I am moving, Mr. Elliot, toward what I might have been.

With that said, today on day 2 of the 30 day painting challenge, my offering is a 6x6 mini abstract.  I had some fun and relaxed a bit as I mixed, experimented and played. I learned a few things, and while this probably isn't my favorite piece ever, I may just turn this little guy into a journal cover.  Actually, my intention was to do just that when I decided to join this challenge--create small paintings that I would be able to re-purpose. 

Choices We Make

"I am an artist.  I am an artist because I choose to be.  I am an artist because I have reconstructed my entire existence to include the art making process in my daily life." Samantha daSilva, Artist.

It's hard to hold up the artist banner.  I have been "playing" the role of artist for a few years now--trying out mixed media, coming to love the sweet smell of beeswax and the sheer thrill of fusing an encaustic painting with a torch instead of a heat gun, smearing and dotting acrylic paint with my fingers as I explore my beloved abstracts, and finding silent bliss in learning new bindings for my handmade journals. 

I am still exploring, still experimenting, and still reaching toward finding my own style, my own voice.  I've "pinned" plenty of inspiration, taken Flora Bowley's on line class and an in person encaustic/book workshop with Bridgette Guerzon Mills, but for the most part it's just me, a canvas and some paint.  Through it all I have been paying close attention to what speaks to me and what I aspire to, knowing that I am learning about myself with each brush stroke so that my art will become a reflection of me and not of the artists I admire.  That being said, I truly believe that those who teach us ultimately leave a mark on our soul and are therefore always represented in our art in some way. 

The abstracts I am creating now are me:  pure and simple, layered and complex.  When I look at them I can breathe: they soothe my frazzled nerves and quiet my scattered thoughts.  They make me want

to stand up and
shout: "I am an artist.  I am an artist because I choose to be." (Thank you, Samantha!)

 

What do you wish to experience?

Today Jamie Ridler asks, "What do you wish to experience?"  I gave this some real thought, but to be honest, my response could have been very different.  Not necessarily superficial, but not something that I truly need to experience in my life.  Let me tell you what happened.  Last September I came home from work to find that my home had been burglarized.  I live in the suburbs where it’s safe. Hey, I’ve lived in this area all my life.  It’s quiet, probably dull, and I have never felt fearful.  Until now.  Now every car that slows or stops in front of my home is suspect, as are the joggers, bicycle riders, and random noises—squeaks and creaks that any 50 year old house might make.  I am afraid and have been since the police left my house 11 months ago.   My fear isn’t as intense as it was, but it is with me every day.  My wish is to once again experience the feeling of being safe in one’s own space. 

Ok, I’d like to experience a live workshop with Flora Bowley too!  There’s one in Wisconsin, which isn’t too far from me coming up this fall, but it’s sold out and I’m on the wait list.  I’d love to get in!  By the way, Jamie just interviewed Flora on her podcast!  Thanks Jamie!

Share...

I'm always late for Wishcast Wednesday...maybe because it's my day off and I spend it cleaning and running about--who knows, I'm just late!  At any rate, this week we were asked what it is that we would like to share.  I've given it a lot of thought, and my wish is to have the opportunity to share my painting/art and consequently a bit of my heart and soul with the world.  That leaves one a bit vulnerable and perhaps a bit uncomfortable, but after taking Flora Bowley's Bloom True e-course (and 13 years of yoga practice), I've learned that being uncomfortable isn't necessarily a bad thing.  It really is an opportunity for growth if you let it be--if you can remember and then embrace the experience!  Ha! It's not always easy!   I'm starting on this painting this afternoon.  We'll see where it takes me--I know I'll be uncomfortable and frustrated and flustered, but ultimately transformed. 

Wishcast Wednesday!

Who do you wish to become?  I wish to become a quiet, centered, soaked in creativity, brave, and “joy-full” woman who forms bonds and friendships with like-minded people while continuing to remain close to family.  Jamie’s question this week is once again timely for me.  My morning pages were filled with becoming and birthing.  There are many of us out there looking for very similar things.  I wish us luck, I wish us patience and perseverance and I wish joy along the way. 

I keep thinking that the whole process of painting intuitively (via Flora Bowley) is a metaphor for life. It’s about BECOMING that person you long for.   Look closely—what’s working?  What isn’t?  What can you change, eliminate?  What do you want to preserve, expand upon, and highlight?  I was working on this painting yesterday and about 30 minutes in threw my hands up in horror, walked out of the room, and closed the door until this morning.  It still has the same “issues” but now I can see that it too is “becoming.”  Not sure what it’s becoming, but that’s what’s exciting—most of the time! 

Morning Pages

Today I rededicated myself to the practice of Morning Pages.  Jamie Ridler is hosting a check in to help keep us honest, and for that I’m grateful!  I also went back and listened to the podcast where Jamie interviewed Julia Cameron as a dose of inspiration!  Thank you Jamie!   Actually, the practice of morning pages couldn’t come at a better time for me, and it felt WONDERFUL to just let all the monkey mind talk flow out through my pen.  Ihave been reminded that creativity is indeed a spriritual process. 

I’m taking on a number of creative endeavors this month.  First, I’m firmly embedded in Flora Bowley’s online class and have several paintings in different stages of development.  It is fun, it’s frustrating, and it’s magical to paint with ease and abandon.  Getting out of my own way is challenging but knowing that you can cover what doesn’t work and preserve what does has taught me a pretty big lesson.  The canvas is kind of like your life.  You can choose to keep what’s working and eliminate what isn’t.  Yes, that’s probably a simplification, but true non-the-less! 

In progess via Flora Bowley process

My second major something is the “Big Fearless" painting class via Dirty FootprintsStudio.  Again, this is very fun, very freeing, and all about getting out of your own way.  Class just started yesterday and I can already feel the joy brimming from Connie!  Today I am going to paint big! 

Finally, Kimberly Wison's book club selection for July is "The Joy of Less: a Mimimalist Living Guide" 
by Francine Jay.  It's another serendipitious offering from the universe it seems!  I have been groaning under the weight of too much and this is just the push I needed to start me on my way!