In the middle of reaching goals, my studio is that place where I can unload words and creativity. But for weeks I went through a feeling of loss, the creative flow was weak.
It was a little scary, even though I knew it would pass. These things happen I told myself, it was a familiar moment.
So, I asked "what makes me whole." More important, what brings me joy...
That was an easy one, my faith and being outdoors.
Flipping Through Paintings
I went back and flipped through three years of watercolors, seeking which expressed a feeling.
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 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 watercolor 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 to see where it would go.
I can't express enough how important it is to paint what brings you joy.
Leave everything behind so your heart can open into the paper where everything penetrates into feeling.
Encouraging Goodness,
Carole West
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