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| (Potential model?) |
Just when you think
you’ve heard and seen it all, a shadow catches your eye; your point of view or
perhaps the time of day makes everything seem fresh and new. A ray of sunlight
illuminates radiant color; and wham, you know you have to paint that scene or,
at the very least, capture this feeling on camera.
Now you’re
hooked, pursuing that elusive dream; hoping that this canvas will make a
difference not only in your life, but in those who view it. Is the process of
art addictive? Could you stop these urges even if you wanted to?
When your vision
is complete, and you’ve rendered that last brush stroke are you satisfied? Is
your thirst quenched or are you left wanting more? Does the smell of wet paint
and turp cling to your nostrils like an aphrodisiac? Don’t fight the feeling.
You’re an artist (you know who you are). Go with the flow.
When I meet
with my artist friends there’s one thing on which we all agree. We walk on the
weird side. We think with our eyes, and our gut instinctively guides our hand.
We see life differently than most people and that sets us apart; sometimes even
alienates us from family and others.
Not all of us
are so driven. Some artists try to quell that constant beating of their senses in
order to fit in and lead semi-normal lives working, raising children, involving
themselves in a thousand mundane activities in their neighborhoods and
communities. Those who do dedicate themselves to an artistic profession are usually teachers, commercial artists, illustrators who have found fulfillment in
working for others.
The few who do
break the mold may soar on their ability to create and tap into the dreams of
others. They are leaving their mark in the world and managing to make a living
at the same time. With effort and determination, this could be you.
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| Yes, this is what black bears do in your neighborhood! |
I had one of
those moments yesterday. My husband and I were talking and he was facing the
window. “There’s a bear,” he said. I
turned quickly. My eyes opened wide. A medium-sized black
bear was sauntering past our screened-in porch. I went for the camera. By the
time it was in hand, the bear was long gone.
“It isn’t
likely he’ll come back,” I said, leaving the camera on a nearby coffee table. About an hour
later, here was the bear lumbering past our porch going back to where he’d come from. By the time I
grabbed the camera, he was gone. This is the first time in 12.5 years that we’ve
seen a bear in our back yard. Now there was a story. Sadly, the painting that got away.
My next canvas
I’m going back to what I love; painting the world’s people. I haven’t narrowed
it down completely, but I’ve been looking for inspiration in the flavor of
Mexico. My visit to San Antonio, Texas reminded me of how colorful the culture
of the people is and how beautiful their faces.
I’ve been
searching for poses and ideas online. A few samples are inserted. Continue to watch this blog for that first sketch and the work-in-progress to follow.
