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"Creativity is intelligence having fun." - Albert Einstein
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"In difficult times,
show up to your studio and pour out your heart in everything you create." - Sergio Gomez "Try to paint in verbs, not in nouns."
- Charles Woodbury  Beginnings always look elementary During a visit with an artist friend, I took note of this canvas leaning against her wall. When I asked her plans for it, she said she had none as she prefers to work within a smaller frame. She then offered this blank vastness to my imagination.
While she made dinner for us in her outdoor kitchen, I set up my easel nearby. Inspired by the ominous sky in the east and the setting sun casting shadows from the west, I began painting color onto its white. The beginning of a composition looks, well, elementary as evidenced by this photo. But with tenacity, shape takes form and beauty results. Art reflects life. We begin a task that appears elemental in light of our efforts. But as we put our hands to the hard work, our skill set develops. And as we persevere, what emerges is reward beyond imagining.  Watercolor October 2023 - Photographed Outside I painted this watercolor one evening over a week ago. It needed detailing, so I consulted with my granddaughter who is also artistically inclined. She suggested I apply a tea wash to help soften the stark white background. Awesome idea sweet-pea. As my morning coffee was at hand, I used this as a wash instead. I just finished adding the last of the details to this little owl, I framed it and now I am ready to pass it on to it's new owner. Lighting plays an amazing role in presentation. I took photos of my work inside the house at night and also during the day. And then I took this piece outside into the sun to photograph. Even framed, the colors appear slightly different. I did not edit any of these pictures. I find it interesting how light plays such an imperative role in how and what we see. "If you have 90 percent talent and only 10 percent discipline . . . you will go nowhere. But if you have 90 percent discipline and 10 percent talent, even if you have no talent, you can be hanging in the Louvre." - Cezanne This morning I watched Painting The Invisible, a documentary showcasing the life of Jill Steenhuis. Inspired by her perspective and creative talent, I lugged my supplies outside into the sun for a plien air experience. I started a sketch of the lake and two watercolor compositions; I'll share the finished works upon completion. Creating under a pale sky surrounded by Autumn colors listening to the sounds of water breathing in fresh air enjoying the sun's warmth . . . what could be more glorious. "Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits." Twyla Tharp
"Creativity itself doesn't care at all about results - the only thing it craves is the process. Learn to love the process and let whatever happens next happen, without fussing to much about it. Work like a monk, or a mule, or some other representative metaphor for diligence. Love the work." Elizabeth Gilbert "Q: What is creativity?
A: The relationship between a human being and the mysteries of inspiration." - E. Gilbert  I drew this with watercolor pencils on 215 lb 12 x 12 oil painting paper with a linen finish. 8/18-20/2022 "I don't think there's anything on the planet that more trumpets life than the sunflower. For me, that's because of the reason behind its name - not because it looks like the sun but because it follows the sun. During the course of the day, the head tracks the journey of the sun across the sky. A satellite dish for sunshine. Wherever light is, no matter how weak, these flowers will find it. And that's such an admirable thing. And such a lesson in life."
Calendar Girls 2003  Shelves filled with books I cherish, art created by a friend, a memento a friend gifted, a beautiful work of glass and my newly created Junk Journal When my granddaughter and I watched a youtube video on how to create a Junk Journal, we instantly set our creative minds to the task and collected all manner of materials as ideas stirred. Junk Journals are constructed out of anything scrap: used envelopes, mail, wrapping paper, discarded food boxes and their plastic wrappings, material, bags, stickers, string, yarn, doilies, lace, memorabilia . . . The possibilities are limited only by one's imagination. When I started my junk journal project, I wasn’t especially confident in how the end result would turn out. I think the tag “junk” threw me off. So, I did not record the process. But upon completion, I feel inspired. So, I am sharing my journal here to encourage you to imagine and play and create. Constructing the book is a bit time consuming. I dyed and distressed some of the pages. And there is a lot of glueing and hand sewing involved. But the labor invested is just a part of the fun. I am enjoying filling my journal with quotes, inspiration and memorabilia. I hope you enjoy creating, too, for the process is as satisfying as the end result. Happy creating.  MY CREATIVE PLACE Unable to brush paint onto a blank canvas, I sit captivated by the view on the other side of my desk. From my vantage point, I look out over the city and the Inlet and the Alaska Mountain Range. The sky is a soft blue this morning, though, recently it has been tempestuous as evidenced by snow laden trees. Before I return to my composition, I'm sharing what captures my attention; inspiration given directly from the Master Creator.  Panoramic view of my front yard. Mesmerizing sunset Nov 13, 2021 "When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece."
- John Ruskin  HOW I SEE is finally in book form. As life is beyond busy with its uniquely transitional aspects, finding a publisher has, unfortunately, been low on my list of to do's. So, I decided to use a company with a focus primarily on photography. In so doing, this allows me the freedom to "self-publish", so to speak. And too, I am now able to give each of my grand-babies a copy of the book I created for them. To read the digital version, just select this link HOW I SEE. And if you are so inclined, you are free to order your own copy.
Always remember . . . you are loved, you are valued, you are beautifully unique, you are a child of God. Happy reading and much love to you.  I hope you enjoy this watercolor as much as I enjoyed painting this lil baby.
"I want to be so alive that
I feel like the moon, Throwing tides just for fun, Creating because it’s what I’m Here to do." - Jennifer Williamson |
AuthorGrowing up the oldest in a household of six children and raising four of my own, I felt grateful when time allowed for a bit of quiet. But, somehow I never quite grew accustomed to spending too much time alone. Solitude and creativity are synonymous if productivity is the goal. I confess, it requires acts of discipline on my part in order to live creatively. The decisions I've made over the last several years, both professionally and personally, work to free up more time for my writing, drawing, painting and other artistic ventures. And the sacrifices I've made for this quieter, creative life are well worth the effort as I grow to enjoy a solace that produces outcomes from long-held creative dreams. Archives
July 2024
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