I woke up resolved to put in fuller days in the studio. It was six thirty. I dressed, went downstairs,poured coffee, replied to comments, viewed a few blogs and stumbled into this video of a lecture given by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love that reinforced my determination, by easing those little anxieties I have about my capabilities. I was in the studio by nine fifteen dancing to BB and working with the yellows I have (CYM, Hansa and Naples) and hoping my genius was in the room. It was. The session went well. I didn't finish the painting; I didn't expect to. I took it as far as my knees would let me then came up to ice at the computer, before the afternoon session.Behind me on the other side of the glass I could see my paint order on the porch. After lunch there will be stocking to do and then I would see if cadmium yellow light was really all that important. It was. I also discovered that I didn't make a mistake buying Titan Buff a couple of years ago. It's warmer than Titanium white and that's what I wanted for the chocolate. My muse was by my side in the studio again. It may not be there tomorrow, but today was a good one. The two paintings are looking well together and will be striking when hung horizontally three inches apart. Tomorrow, I'll start the third panel. I'm getting excited all over again about the project. See if Elizabeth doesn't excite you with her philosophy about creativity.
They look great together, Linda! I'm glad your paint order came! I have to take a quiet moment to listen to Elizabeth Gilbert, interested to hear what she has to say!
ReplyDeleteThey are coming along after being abandoned for quite a while.
DeleteMe too ,and not only did I get my yellow light, but the new larger watercolor set I ordered so I could play in the water with more choices!
I listened to Elizabeth while eating breakfast. She was worth while. While it's interesting to know an artist's work process, it's more interesting to hear what they do to keep working after a huge success when the fears of being able to match that again step in and play with your head. Enjoy--or not.
I am looking forward to see those painting finished, they look tasty. I am also glad you got your delivery, it is frustrating not to have the things one need.
ReplyDeleteI don't knock them out of the park like you do. This subject is relatively new to me. This painting is only the fifth one I've done. I would think I have to do quite a bit more before I can whip one together in a day's time.
DeleteMeanwhile I did look into Daily Painters. That's a big deal Roger; you should be proud. It's a juried society. Congratulations, I had no idea.
See, that's what I was talking about. You have a consistent style with one particular medium. Your work was immediately recognizable on the paintings of the day page. You can also produce them in a few hours time. That's quite admirable to someone like me who loves to play the field and is reluctant to give that up. --Though I'm moving closer.
Linda, thank you so very much for posting Elizabeth Gilbert's talk on creativity. I love her manner of speaking, and her sense of humor. Your pastries are looking superbly yummy; the triptych is going to be fabulous. And now, I must see if I can round up my Muse, and see if she feels like working today. :) You may like to look into a book I am reading - "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. But knowing you, you've probably already read it.
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't. Are there any shortcuts in there? I'm pressed for time. I'll order it today.
DeleteDoesn't she have a great way of looking at the process? I thought we could all benefit from that. We artists are so up tight due to our continual quest for improvement and recognition. We say just have fun with it, but we know we're kidding ourselves. We wish we could enjoy our gift. Now that I know I have a muse, a genius, or damon that's as responsible as I am for showing up and doing her thing, maybe I can just relax and go with the flow of--acrylics today.
I just had to go back into mice. It was too blue. Now it isn't. Balancing the three will take place from now till the third one is finished. I'm hanging them on the wall to dry to observe and start that process. They have to be coordinated to work as a whole.
oops, sorry, I author the Alla Prima blog too and had not signed out properly...I deleted the comment above. Here is what I wrote:
ReplyDeleteThose desserts are looking great...very cheerful..makes me think of how fun it is to go out with a friend to grab a piece of cake and a coffee!
Hope you are having a great day!:)
Desserts today, alcohol tomorrow. Toothpaste after that perhaps? I'm painting not only pastries, but the many choices we have in the marketplace. But that won't come out for a while.
DeleteThanks for posting the TED talk on creativity. I am addicted to that site but seem to have missed this talk. My only regret is that I have not been successful enough to have to separate myself from my work. But I will keep her viewpoint in mind in case I need to some day! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda for that video. Now I have a solid excuse to have gins at 9 in the morning - just joking.
ReplyDeleteI’d like to share one little detail about the word ‘demon’. ΔΑΙΜΩΝ, in ancient Greek is not what it means today. Actually, meant something sacred, with no particular morality of good or evil. They are above men and bellow Gods, like angels. Socrates when referring to a demon, he actually was talking about a high spirit. After Christianity, the word changes its meaning and becomes the currently known one. Take the word, inspiration, for example. It's latin and says about a spirit within(or something like that, I don't really remember right now). So, Elizabeth has a point, we've made an error. We can swallow the sun, we are only human.
I have to say, I’m getting fatter by the post, not that I need excuses when it comes to pastry. But, if I did needed one your paintings would be it!
Warm regards.
This is shaping up to be a fun group.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this talk before. Quite freeing.
Extremely so. I don't believe it for a minute, but I'll take it. Anything to get rid of that demon Perfectionism:-))
DeleteThanks for sharing the video. Good stuff.
ReplyDelete