"Walking Through Autumn"

 original acrylic on canvas, 36" x 48" x 1.5".

This painting makes me want to take a stroll up on Gold Camp Road!

Do you remember how this painting began, last week? 

Spots of color on the wall, the table, the floor . . . . painting can be a messy business.

 But I love this, I can't help myself.  It's freedom, joy, love of the process and the materials, curiosity, challenge . . . . life!

"the wind unravelling the aspens"

This phrase came to me last night, in a quiet moment of contemplation - poetry and vision and idea, all at once.

 I wrote it on the back of a new canvas, quick, before the fleeting idea could slip away.  

Until next week, friends!  

Laura

Please join the conversation - your comments are welcome!

I love to read the words of great painters. 

So many times, I read what is also true for me, in words I can't put together myself.  There are great truths about art, artists, and the meaning and purpose of the value of art to humanity and society.  This morning, I am re-reading "Hawthorne on Painting" - the collected notes of the great painter and teacher, Charles Webster Hawthorne, founder of the Cape Cod School of Art.

Here's a little tidbit, of many! 

"Real sentiment in art comes as it does in music from the way one tone comes against another independently of the literary quality of the subject - the way spots of color come together produces a painting."  and, "there are just so many tones in music and just so many colors but its' the beautiful combination that makes a masterpiece".  Well said, Mr. Hawthorne!

Here, on the wall at my gallery, is my latest painting in progress!  I am looking forward to placing more spots of color "on the wall" - my wall easel - today.

You can see the study I am working from, and my palette with piles of paint - spots of color waiting to be placed!

Painting blocked in.  Palette cleaned up and refreshed, ready to create more spots!

Further refinement and re-stating the forms. 

Next Friday's blog post will be the finished painting!

Join the conversation - which writers and artists inspire you?  Your comments are welcome!

Laura

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Are you an artist?

"I can't draw a stick figure".

"My 2nd grade teacher held up my picture in school and said it was bad because I made the trees blue instead of green".

"I used to paint, but then I got busy with work and kids and didn't have time anymore".

"In college, in my painting classes, I couldn't figure out what to do with the paints, or how to start, so I gave up".

Let's take these one at a time:

I can't draw a stick figure.

I have news for you:  You don't have to be able to draw a stick figure to express your unique creative voice!  No stick figure-drawing ability required!

My 2nd grade teacher said my picture was bad.

Well, guess what.  He/she isn't around anymore - and He/she doesn't get to say what's good or bad.  I understand how long those early messages stick around - I had one of those myself, from a high school art teacher who said my drawing was awful - and did I listen to the other art teacher, who encouraged me, mentored me, and told me what a good young artist I was?  Yes, I did listen to her, but I still hear the other bad art teacher, even after 40 years!  I still remember every word of her comment, and how shamed I felt. 

but guess what - I'm older and a lot smarter than I was at 14 - and I didn't let her stop me!  Although she held me back for a while, and sapped my confidence!

I used to paint, but then I got busy and didn't have time anymore.

We never have enough time for things that matter to us, especially if they seem to be just for us,

and not serving our community, our jobs, and our families. 

But guess what - maybe the kids are grown now - and your creative voice is still waiting to be heard - even if it's just a whisper.

And if the kids aren't grown yet, I still have an answer for you: 

role model.  Yes, that's what I said.  role model.  We all want our children to grow up to be genuine, authentic, happy, creative human beings, who enjoy and fully express the gifts given to them - and who's going to show them how to do and be that person?  You are - by being that person yourself.  A person who loves their family, honors their commitments, and values themselves and their needs as well.  and guess what?  expressing yourself creatively, learning about your inner voice, does serve your community - by making you a happier person, by giving yourself permission to discover your own rich innerlife, you give that permission to others to do the same.

and last, but most definitely not least -

In college, in my painting class, I couldn't figure out what to do, so I gave up.

I am totally amazed at how often this comment is expressed in my painting classes - followed by this comment:  I have learned more in one day from you than I ever learned in college art classes.  It's really true!  I hear that comment all the time.  And how I respond is this - painting is a learned skill, with specific techniques and steps to building a painting that can be taught, and are taught by me in my classes.

I teach you how to speak, with paint. Just like learning any other language, you learn to speak the basics, and then you get to write the poem of your soul - you get to express yourself!

Painting Classes Starting on April 27 - click here for all the details!

Are you an artist?  Let's find out!