Another Painting
This painting emerged from a spontaneous urge. It was Sunday morning and I walked into my studio with a cup of tea. I did not intend to do a painting. I intended to sit down and write. I’m nearing the end of a long project and I have a fairly clear idea of what needs to happen now but I know too that things need to sit at this point and gel. At any rate I sat down at my art table and saw that my gouache paints were right there. Without thinking much I took a sip of tea and prepared a piece of paper. The act of preparation and the fact that I had no pressure to do anything at all allowed me to think of continuing on from the painting I’d done a couple of days before, posted below.
This one didn’t take long. It flowed because I was able to get out of my own way. And that’s not always true. So I’m thinking of the ways I get in my way—the things I tell myself. It’s usually that. I tell myself that it must be like this, or it must be done by Tuesday, or that it’s hard, or I haven’t any idea what to do next. All that mind chatter is a road block to creativity.
Yoga has been so useful in learning to observe the mind and body. Where am I in the moment I sit down? Can I just be present? Can I let go of the judgments and petty anxieties? Can I just sit down and empty the trash?
Not always easy. But I know enough now that it’s worth the effort to pay attention to the state of mind and buff it up before beginning. I also know that it helps a lot to have a clear idea of where you’re headed before beginning. Sometimes I have to wait for that. And while I’m waiting it doesn’t hurt to make a small painting that has a beautiful energy all its own and tells me to now sit down and get on with it.
September 18th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
What a fun little painting! Is it little? You don’t say how big or small it is. Lovely to just have a chance to sit in the studio and “play”, don’t you think? Nice work. Funny how we say that. How about “Nice play!”
September 18th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Thanks, Mary! Yes, it is small. And it was play!! So important to do that!
September 19th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
mdf,
I’m always astonished (though I shouldn’t be) at your wonderful sense of design and colour. You’re just so good at making it all seem perfectly easy or easily perfect.
I’m v.near the end of my work for Affordable Art Fair in London for the 11th Oct. It’s a good venue with the top price at £3000. My intent is to lure a London gallery as they all go to this one, as well as making some well needed dosh for the long winter months ahead. I’ll be showing with Gallery Tresco.
This Monday I attend my 1st Italian class for beginners on the ‘use it or lose it’ theory. Wonder if it will have any influence on my art as it’s all connected. Feel like I need to stretch my brain and embrace all things different.
Ciao for now.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
mdf—Thank you! It’s easy when you know a bit about where you’re headed and you have a few hundred years of experience behind you!
Cool about Affordable Art Fair. Would love to see it one day, even participate. Know you’ll attract something wonderful with your work. If you have some photos send them over and I’ll post here.
Italian sounds fun. I have no gift for languages, save English, but all for stretching the mind. I’m going to be starting a monoprint class next week. Should be interesting and I’ll post the results here!
Ciao.