Let’s try this again
My studio looks out an my neighborhood with beautiful light and trees. No matter where you paint, having some nature around is the greatest inspiration.
Is there something you've always wanted to do, but shy away from it because you just don't think you'd be good at it? That's my relationship with painting. Recently I asked myself why exactly I always say “I can't paint”. There are several reasons, none of which are totally valid. So I decided to open up my paints (gouache) and try again. I'm still not very good at it, but this time I want to push myself harder, practice more, and try to find my own style. It can't hurt to try, and summer is the perfect time for experimenting.
Early attempts at a new style
As I look out my studio window, I see the vibrant colors that mark the beginning of summer. My garden is blooming, the grass is extra green and the trees on my street are bursting with leaves and life. I even saw a cardinal in my back yard this morning. All of this inspires me to continue practicing a folk art style of painting with bright happy colors and a feeling of joy; even if I don’t always feel it myself. This messy, less precise style has always appealed to me (anybody remember tole painting?) I’ve searched Pinterest for examples of work I like, and what I don’t; I’ve signed up for several online painting classes, and got out my old supplies from the art school I attended during the pandemic. My goal is to create something that I am sort of proud of; this is always my ultimate goal. But I am a tough critic. I want to combine these little experiments with my signature dimensional collage ( my first few practice attempts are above).
So what does this mean to you? I want it to be an encouragement for you to consider revisiting something you have loved that has gone by the waysides of your life. My interests/hobbies and curiosity have saved me from sadness many times. They can bring joy and calm in the most difficult times in life. Also, as time goes by, you realize that there is more time behind us then ahead. I don’t want to be on my deathbed wishing I had taken the time and effort to try all the things I wanted to accomplish but never got around to. What have we got to lose?
