Saying Yes

Next week this canvas will be going to a new home. In an act of tremendous vulnerability I said yes to setting it free. There is something about painting that feels so very different than making jewelry or taking photographs to me. To paint is a process in trusting, in letting go and sometimes just mucking through the crap. I have never experienced the range of emotions in any other craft then what comes up during painting a piece. I can explain it no better than to say it is raw. Truly utterly...raw.

Then when you thought you could not possibly feel more opened up, you experience the naked moment of sharing that little piece of your heart with the world. Raw becomes....even more raw.

When the opportunity arose to donate a painting to help my daughters school I could not say no. I feel so strongly that art is important for our children growing up. They should be able to play without criticism and explore. In art they can be unique and not get it "wrong." Our schools are slowly losing their art programs and that saddens me greatly. The art program at my daughters school is entirely funded and taught by volunteers. So when I was asked to donate a piece for their art night I felt called to let this painting be the one.

The even better news? I am getting my last two canvases scanned and they will soon be available for sale as archival Giclée prints!

The Raven's Flight

 

Finally the first canvas I started for Bloom True is complete. It underwent a tremendous transformation just like my previous canvas. In fact it is pretty much unrecognizable from the beautiful abstract creation I started with. I mourned covering that up. A lot. So much so I want to try to recreate it on a future piece. I spent many layers on this canvas covering and recovering. Working with what was working. Evolving what wasn't. Until eventually I saw a tree. I let the tree guide the rest of the process and then Raven came to me, off a page in a mythology book. So I sketched him out, and there he stayed. I learned today that some of the native tribe stories involve Raven carrying fire. I love that he took this direction in paint and will now honor that story in my heart.

I'm still working out the details on getting my canvases turned into prints and will hopefully have some available soon. Soon, I will be happily releasing the originals of my work into the world. If you feel called to give this canvas a home please let me know.

A Message

Monday Musings

5 Things I am grateful for this Monday morning:

• That I have no obligations to be anywhere today. Sometimes a day (or two) wearing sweats really is balm for the soul.

• For my new car and the lessons it taught about the difference between luxuries and necessities. 

• For connection and how many times it has shown up for me this past year.

• For art and all the ways it breaks me wide open. I'm learning that painting is the most vulnerable form of expression for me.

• That our trip to Hawaii is just over a month away. I can hear the sounds of surf calling my name already. 

Interview at 52 Photos Project

The sweet Bella at 52 Photos Project asked me to share a little on her blog today about my photography. It was fun to revisit some of my earlier photos when picking them to share. Please hop on over and take a look. 

The 52 Photos Project is full of photography prompts to help get your creative juices flowing. It fosters a community full of amazing photographers. Not only does she share the work of others but her words inspire everyone to get out their cameras and play!

The evolution of a canvas

My 2nd canvas is finished for Flora's class. As you can see I took a drastically bold step and covered up most of the previous layers. I feel really good about the outcome. It was such an interesting process to watch unfold. I spent way too much time fussing with this painting and just could not let it be, so in the end it turned into something completely different. I'm so looking forward to applying what I have learned and starting another canvas. I definitely will do some things differently next time around and that is the beauty of learning and growing. Thank you, Flora for a beautiful class and lessons. I am so inspired and look forward to many, many more canvases in my future! Also, I think there is still room in her next course if anyone out there is feeling the pull to play, please check it out!

The Sketchbook is Complete!

The collaborative sketchbook Jojo and I worked on this winter is finished! It was quite the last minute task getting things sent back and forth from me here in Idaho to Jojo in California. Plus there may have been a teeny bit of stress involved in reassembling the book we took apart. But it's finished and will now be a part of a permanent exhibit at the Art House Coop. Jojo has put together a lovely set of our pages married together. They look pretty amazing side by side if I do say so myself. To see the sketchbook in its entirety click on over to her Flickr site.

If you would like to see the book in person it will be on tour starting next month. Check the Art House site for details. Also, I highly recommend checking into what other creative projects they are currently offering. Their 10x10 series features a new free project every week.