Mandala

Mandala . watercolor . 12"x 12" . Sold

Untitled

Grow - Illustration Friday

You see evidence of it on the outside,
but it's happening on the inside
and in the space between.

The Blues - Illustration Friday

You would not fully know what it means to feel joy if you have not felt the opposite of joy. If you are sad, do not suppress it. Feel sad for as long as you need to so that you can move through it, let it go, and are able to feel joy again.

peace.

Infinite Possiblities.

Infinite Possiblities.
No right or wrong, good or bad.

I spend much of my time contemplating art and the metaphysical. No wonder my energies are scattered. I crave objectivity, but I am living in the mystery. I can’t deny it.

I feel blessed that I could open my mind really wide and consider the infinite possibilities. I have even considered the possibility that the possibilities may be finite as well. What good are all these ideas if I cannot manifest them into something to be shared?

I am aware that people show up in my life to teach me lessons. The faults we see in others are just reflections of our own. I can’t describe them as “faults” when my lessons are revealed to me by Maya and Eleanor. They are children. They are innocent. They don’t know any better. But, what I try to teach them, I really need to learn myself.

Focus. Make a decision. Just do it.
Here is what I am trying to get my kids to do, while I am a scatterbrain myself. Sure, I could get my shoes on, brush my teeth and get in the car without someone standing over me and repeating the directions several times. But, I have a long “to do” list at all times. Some items are daily, menial tasks, some are big life goals. Progress seems slow sometimes because my head is in the clouds. I need to focus. Make a decision. Just do it.

My greatest frustration is getting the girls out the door in the morning. What are you going to wear? What do you want for breakfast? What do you want for lunch? So many possibilities... and these are such huge decisions for small children because in the midst of all the uncertainty of the whole entire universe, this is what they can control.

I try to simplify the process by limiting the possibilities. Either THIS or THAT for breakfast. I’ll pick out your clothes even though I’d rather see you express your individuality in the way you dress. We don’t have time for that. What kind of sandwich do you want in your lunch? And what will accompany it? Yogurt? That’s great! Strawberry or blueberry? I see you drift off... your eyes glazed over as if you are imagining the future where two parallel universes exist... and in one you are eating strawberry yogurt... and in another whole universe... it’s blueberry.
PICK ONE! IT’S YOGURT!

I’m sorry I raise my voice in anger. And I’m sorry I shame you for not putting your things where they belong while I search aimlessly for my car keys. I’m learning.

Tree, Watercolor

Momentum - Illustration Friday

Gather no moss.

Progress?

Yesterday I had posted this painting as a work in progress. After having worked on it some more, I don't know if I'd call this progress. I think I prefer the silhouetted negative space of the first post. Back in June, during an outdoor landscape painting class I intentionally left the subject silhouetted as negative space. Seeing the comparison of the painting before and after, I think I'll go back to exploring that idea.

Abstract Nature

Plants . Watercolor . 4"x11"
(work in progress)

I have been thinking about painting abstract nature for over a year. I have thought a lot about it and painted a little. All this time, I think I've been trying to make sense of it. I have felt that I need to completely understand something before begin to work on it. Whether it is an idea for a specific painting or a whole body of work, I feel I need to work out every detail in my head before I pick up a brush. And, with that, I have a whole conversation with myself in my head trying to describe the work's purpose, the content.

NOW! I am reminding myself that...
An artist gains understanding of their subject
through the act of painting it!
and Art describes an idea that words cannot describe!

Visitors - Illustration Friday

Revised.
I just added some black line. When I logged on to add my revision, I noticed a compliment I received about the "delicate work." Ironic. Perhaps I shouldn't have touched it. It was sort of difficult to draw a smooth line on rough cold press watercolor paper. And it felt a little backward. I'm assuming illustrators typically draw a clean black line, then add a watercolor wash?
This is all a learning experience for me.



My first Illustration Friday. Actually, my first attempt at illustrating anything. I am not satisfied, but I did not spend too much time on this ... so not too bad? I know I could use some darker darks, but it's missing something else, too. I don't know what? IF is something I've been wanting to do for a long time, and now I've started. Looking forward to next week's topic.

When I showed it to Eleanor she said "There were three bunnies in our garden?" I said "Actually, there are five bunnies in this picture, but I didn't see any bunnies. I just painted our garden and added the bunnies in myself." The best part of creating art!

Painted Cards

I've painted a little the past couple of days. Here are two sympathy cards and one card of encouragement. Watercolor mandalas.

peace.