In the middle of reaching goals, my studio is that place where I unload so many words and creativity. But for weeks the artistic flow has been weak.
It was a little scary, even though I knew it would pass.
I told myself, these things happen... But then I asked myself, "what brings me joy..."
That was an easy one, faith, my husband and being outdoors.
Flipping Through Paintings
I went back and flipped through three years of watercolors, seeking which expressed a feeling.
I find looking at multiple things in a painting can sometimes bring forward a spiral but centering on movement, color pallet and the impression, brought me to a feeling.
I love impressions because this is where feeling lives.
This was fascinating and I learned a few things about myself.
- I am quick to judge - at times over critical.
- I let the empty words of others get in my head.
- I have a sense to be liked in a world that isn't always likable.
Recognizing Patterns
When I was going through this art, I recognized a pattern. Everything with feeling brought me joy and they all had a natural color pallet.
That wasn't surprising because I am big into shades of blue, green and brown. It's how I replicate nature and bring forward the missed values.
I love mixing color and for many this is difficult to achieve.
Asking myself, "what brings me joy" was powerful. I realized through the process an art goal that had some meaning was necessary.
This brought me to taking an entire year to paint what brings me joy.
Forget about being critical, forget about the voices and forget about being liked.
Just paint...
I started early and currently I am painting geese; this came after a series of swans.
The color pallet is wonderful, and this particular piece isn't finished, it was more of a test that helped me express what brings you joy.
Sometimes you just have to leave everything behind so your heart can open onto the paper. For me, this is where everything penetrates into feeling.
Encouraging Goodness,
Carole West