Emerging

I'm slowly getting my painting groove back.  I felt like I needed to back away from painting this past year.  I had a piece in Last year's Recycled Rain Project, and I did seven small pieces for the Big 500, but that was it.  Those few pieces were hard...I felt like I had to pull them out of myself.   The fun was not there.  I felt frustrated and uninspired.  All those cliches you hear about "the Angsty Artist"?  Yeah.  No.  I'm not about that.  That is not the best "work" mindset for me.  I do much better when it's a "play" mindset.  It was time to walk away for a break.

I all but abandoned my studio, but I did pick up my cameras.  Since I was having painting issues, I focused on capturing images with my camera.  It's relaxing and I've always loved the instant gratification of a good shot.  It was a wonderful thing to do during my respite from painting.  I will be updating my Photo section of this website soon.  

I ventured back into the studio about two weeks ago.  Everything was in it's place and for the first time in several months, I felt like I wanted to play with some paint.  So, I did.  I've been playing every day since and it's been fun.  So fun, that I have accepted three different show invitations this spring.  I'll be trying some new techniques and I'm trying for a looser style than where I was previously coming from.  I will not be giving up my bright colors.  That is what I missed the most during my break.

I know I always say this, but I will try to update this blog more frequently as I get my groove back.  I have 12 paintings due in the next few weeks, and instead of feeling overwhelmed, I'm feeling pretty excited.  Yeay!