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| (work-in-progress "Tickles from God" a rainy day painting) |
There are times in our lives when we feel drained, empty, and fatigued like we
have nothing else to give. Instead of slacking off, what we may need is a
new project. Once we’re slapping on the paint, everything else seems small and
insignificant.
Do what you
love, take time for yourself, and your engines start running again; full speed
ahead. Just when you think you’re tired and overworked, you may actually be bored
and need to shake things up a bit. That’s what my latest work-in-progress did
for me. I was having trouble finishing my rain painting: “Tickles from God,”
and I needed something more difficult and exciting.
I enjoy
painting close ups, not only of people, but of nature. Flowers, fruit, leaves,
birds and animals call out to my wild side and put me in touch with the earth. Like
an itch that needs to be scratched, I long to walk barefoot again without
wincing in pain. I want to dig a hole in my garden and bury a new plant that
will add a bright touch of color in an obscure spot.
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| "Lady in Waiting" 14 x 11 oil on canvas (SOLD) Prints available |
I want to get
my hands dirty. I want to feel the warmth of the soil under my fingernails. Of
course, since I moved to Florida I’m a tad squeamish about the lizards, snakes
and spiders. Having almost died from the bite of an eight legged brown recluse,
I now wear garden gloves and the sensations are muted. Still the experience
provides me with an impetus to get back to nature and painting.
My latest
work-in-progress titled: “Namesake” came to me in a moment of reverie thinking
about the beautiful lilies in Minnesota. Tiger lilies have always been my
favorite perennial, and the thought of combining the flowers with a tiger was irresistible.
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| (work-in-progress: "Namesake" will add tiger lilies) |
Other ideas churning
around in my head have to do with the wonderful henna paintings Indian women do
on their bodies before marriage. These intricate drawings are not permanent,
but they adorn the wearer with Lacy motifs that exaggerate the beauty of a
woman’s body and the fragile lace of the wedding dress.
Artists are using these
same techniques to embellish images with colorful designs that add an abstract
quality to the finished piece. Female cancer patients are adorning their shaven heads with these patterns which just goes to show you that "bald can be beautiful!"
I hope you enjoy these videos:
Carol, You could always buy a bag of top soil from the green shop and play with it (bare hands and all) in order to feel the luxury of the earth. I used to make the best mud balls or pies when I was a child. We lived in Miami for 18 months and they were wonderful. Bak then it was not overpopulated and modern. Just a strip and the beach. I loved the henna artwork on the heads of these women. Strikingly beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous idea, Theresa! I do have a seedling of a curious tree that I've never found the name of. Some people call it a walnut, but instead of a nut inside it's only a seed. I think I will plant that and see what happens? Thank you for commenting!
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