Courage Springs from a Bug
A positive side effect other the recent bout with the seasonal bug for so many weeks is I screwed up the courage to “do” art.
It’s daunting to see what I am capable of “creating.” I use the word creating advisedly because most of what I paint is after another artist’s work.
Two Weird Still Lifes
When I copy, I discover how limited my eye and hand coordination is; how poorly I can mix colors that come close to the artist’s palette. And how much fun I have!
Two Tulips
Painting, whether watercolors or acrylics, is like mastering a second language.
Duh. I am a master of the obvious, am I not?
Sometimes, while I don’t like being reminded what a dullard I am, painting is a great tonic. Pushing through the embarrassment of being an rank amateur, and trying to create is time well spent, whether painting, gardening, or writing.
What art offers is space — a certain breathing room for the spirit. ~John Updike
And who doesn’t need a little more breathing room these days?
Show some courage: Support the arts, especially in all our plans to educate our children!
Memories from Pigments
I love seeing your creativity both with words and a brush! I went to my niece’s baby shower (she and all her sisters are artists). There were cards marked A to Z and we had the opportunity (if so moved) to create a page for her babies ABC book. We had pencils, black pen and crayons. SOOO cute were the cards that I was intimidated! I chose “S is for” Stars and I drew a star! I colored it with fun bright colors. It was so much fun that I did “O is for” owl, and I drew and colored an owl. Gratefully, she received a gift with “OWL’s” on the wrapping paper and I could copy. All to say….it IS fun creating even when the skills are primitive!!!! I always enjoy your encouraging words and fun for life! And yes, keep on painting. What a gift you are to your grandchildren!!!! and me!
I love seeing your creativity both with words and a brush! I went to my niece’s baby shower (she and all her sisters are artists). There were cards marked A to Z and we had the opportunity (if so moved) to create a page for her babies ABC book. We had pencils, black pen and crayons. SOOO cute were the cards that I was intimidated! I chose “S is for” Stars and I drew a star! I colored it with fun bright colors. It was so much fun that I did “O is for” owl, and I drew and colored an owl. Gratefully, she received a gift with “OWL’s” on the wrapping paper and I could copy. All to say….it IS fun creating even when the skills are primitive!!!! I always enjoy your encouraging words and fun for life! And yes, keep on painting. What a gift you are to your grandchildren!!!! and me!
Love seeing your writing and your art!
Me too, Barbara and Flo. Since I’m too cowardly to do anything artistic, I totally admire people who, like President Bush, don’t make a claim to excellence or perfection. They only want to express themselves because it’s somehow freeing and delightful. I think I lost my courage when I was a second and third grader and envied the artistic abilities of a couple of gifted girls in my class. No one ever compared….except for me. It didn’t help that my older sister was also gifted. I moved on to better things — I expressed myself with fluid verbosity and spent a lot of time thinking about my gift — behind the classroom door. LOL. 🙂
Me too, Barbara and Flo. Since I’m too cowardly to do anything artistic, I totally admire people who, like President Bush, don’t make a claim to excellence or perfection. They only want to express themselves because it’s somehow freeing and delightful. I think I lost my courage when I was a second and third grader and envied the artistic abilities of a couple of gifted girls in my class. No one ever compared….except for me. It didn’t help that my older sister was also gifted. I moved on to better things — I expressed myself with fluid verbosity and spent a lot of time thinking about my gift — behind the classroom door. LOL. 🙂
Keep on painting!