“Everything is figureoutable.”~Marie Forleo, Entrepreneur at Rich, Hot, Happy B-School
Thought for Thursday
Coffee And Paint Drips Blog
Word on Wednesday is Abstraction
Well, lookie here, another painting found it’s way out of my brain. Imagine that? How quick was this one? I almost can’t believe it myself. As I was finishing the last still life watercolor painting, this one was calling me to be worked on.
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| Three Peaches ©2012 Dora Sislian Themelis 9×12 Watercolor on Arches cold press 140lb paper |
After I found a small section of those photos that seemed pleasing, and as soon as I released the last work from the watercolor block, I started in on this piece. There was a bit of a challenge keeping the white of the paper as the highlight on the fruits, but I did my best. I’m comfortable with the outcome, and painting this was work.
The colors feel different than the last few pieces, as well as the shapes. Something is changing, I can feel a difference. Abstraction seems to be taking hold as the shapes get larger.
I’m just going to go with the flow.
Thankful for Finished Work
Every once in a while I think we have to stand back, take a break, and just do nothing. When there’s too much going on it seems to me the only way I can move ahead is to stand still. The craziness of the last event had me standing still a little longer than I would have liked. Things eventually work out.
The latest watercolor painting I started working on was waiting patiently to be finished while my brain rewired itself. There it was, sitting on my desk, waiting. I waved hello and got to work. Patience pays off in the end, and it is finished, finally.
I don’t know what the big deal was, it’s a small piece after all, but brain cells were missing, having gone AWOL. When they returned, so did the motivation.
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| Big Tomato ©2012 Dora Sislian Themlis 9×12 Watercolor, Arches cold press 140lb |
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| Waiting to continue.. |
And there you have it. I worked on it until I decided I’d had enough of it. Maybe an hour to get it where I thought it should go and then I dropped it like it was HOT.
The thing is it’s finished.
Thought for Thursday
“Judging your early artistic efforts is artist abuse.”~Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way Hmmm.
Interesting. I always thought it was a good idea to go back and look at where our work began to shift, but since reading this quote I’m not so sure.
Do we tend to judge the work rather than study and learn from it? Do we end up saying to our artist-self “You idiot, What were you thinking when you painted that?” Chime in here. I would really like to know what other creatives think about this.
Abstract Artrage
Artists come in all shapes and sizes. What I mean by that is some of us paint in oils, some in watercolors, or pastels. Some of us are realists, impressionists, abstract artists, or use digital means to convey our imagination creatively.
I’m not really sure where my style falls. It’s somewhere in the impressionist style, if I had to guess. Shapes and colors, darks and highlights grab my attention. Somewhere in there I need to look at real objects and find the beauty in that.
In the past I have painted in a super-real style, then I would go minimalist and paint with few colors like alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue and add black or white. It’s all good, working the process.
Through the cyber grapevine I recently heard about an application for iPad called Artrage. It sounded like something I would like to use. Think about it, all the fun/work without the clean up. Nice.
For a small fee I downloaded it to my device and started right away at an oil painting using my finger as the brush. I think most of you know that’s how you use iPad anyway, there is no stylus. Let me tell you how great it felt to throw these colors on the make believe canvas! You can even mix and smudge the paint. It’s a great app.
Now I find out there is a brush-like stylus that’s just been developed to use on iPad as a paint brush and even a drawing tool, called Sensu. When this tool comes out I am definitely buying it. I can’t wait.
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| Abstract Artrage ©2012 Dora Sislian Themelis Digital oil on canvas for iPad |
So here is my first digital oil painting using my finger on the iPad. How realistic can I get painting on iPad? I have no idea until I purchase and use that stylus. This is a great diversion without the set-up and clean up.
It should be interesting.
Back to Monday and Painting
Monday could not come soon enough this week. What a busy, hectic few days I’ve had. The traditional Greek dance competition this weekend made my head spin with everything going on. Plus which the kids I teach had to perform, so making sure they knew their stuff was on my mind. They were great, though. I really didn’t need to worry. As they say, practice makes perfect!
And that leads us back to painting! Practice, process, same thing.
The next painting was started last week, when I had a life. Okay, I’m being dramatic, but really, painting is the thing that ends up being pushed aside. Now, I don’t want to get into the “if I had to go to a real job” thing. However, the reality is that painting isn’t the priority, nor am I the person bringing home the bacon with my artwork. Maybe some day, but not now, so it has to wait.
It’s first on the to-do list and it will happen. Just not exactly when I want it to happen. It’s fine.
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| Another work begins |
Here’s the next work on deck. Another still life watercolor painting of veggies. Shapes and colors if I squint at the small section of reference photo.
Darks and lights. Small size, short and sweet. Works for me.
Finished by Friday
After I read The Artist’s Way a while back I knew I was on to something when the author, Julia Cameron, wrote that artists need quiet. Now maybe that statement isn’t as true for some as it is for others. I am one of the others. I need my quiet. Sorry, I don’t even want to hear the radio. My brain has enough noise.
Right now is the calm before the action begins. I’ll take it. I like calm, quiet, nothingness. That’s probably not even a word, but it feels good to say it.
During one of the latest online classes I just took, it was suggested we ditch the paper to-do list for an electronic one. I’ve been using the Notes feature on my iPod Touch thingy and it’s been fun.
“Paint today” is #1 on my every day list, every day, and paint today I did. Process is key.
I found myself thinking about finishing the last work before falling asleep. It is so weird, but it’s been happening more often lately. It’s finished, and it’s a good thing.
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| Carrot ©2012 Dora Sislian Themelis 9×12 Watercolor, Arches cold press 140lb |
Stopping before trashing it was also key. What’s with that? At a certain point I had to stop working on this. I guess when I feel the frustration coming, my insides get crazy and I know I’m done. It worked itself out, is all I have to say.
Yes, there are areas I could have worked differently. I don’t care, it’s over.
Thought for Thursday
“Your art is where the drama belongs, not your life.”~Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
We Will Not Forget
The Armenian Genocide of 1915 is remembered every year on April 24. Over one million men, women and children were killed in horrible ways by the Turks. No one could make up the many stories survivors have told of the atrocities they witnessed and lived through. Why would they?
When people speak about the Holocaust, Dar fur, Rwanda, and other such killings perpetrated on innocent people, they never mention the first genocide of the 20th century, the Armenians. Why?
Think of what you have read or heard about these other people and how they were slaughtered. It happened to the Armenians first since 1896, but culminated in the largest numbers in 1915.
Fathers and sons were rounded up, separated from mothers, wives, children, and tortured, then murdered. Women and girls were raped, taken hostage, forced into harems, tattooed not to escape. Whole villages were marched into the desert with what they could carry and died of hunger, thirst, or killed. People were forced to renounce Christianity and become Muslim. Any of this sound familiar?
All to create a Turkey for the Turks. It’s a sad story to live with.
And yet, today, this act has not been recognized by most countries, least of all Turkey. News reports documented the atrocities. The Ambassador at the time, Henry Mortganthau, wrote about what was happening to the people.
We will not forget.
(Check last year’s post for more info.)
Too Busy to Breathe
The next time something comes up I just have to say no. Enough with the word yes. How is it that I get myself involved in things where I find myself so busy? Busy is not even the word for it. One thing after another, and there’s no breathing room.
But how can I say no? It’s too late, I’ve already said yes. Just go with it. It will pass and there will be time for me soon enough.
This weekend is a Greek dance event I agreed to help with, so now I’m busy with that. Maybe once it’s over I can relax, until our annual festival comes up. Another thing I say yes to.
Can’t I just paint in my little art studio? Can’t I just sit and knit in my cozy corner? Or read my book? Or daydream?
Well, I did find an hour or so to paint. I’m so dizzy with to-do’s I couldn’t decide what to paint. Whatever comes from the process of painting will have to do until I can think clearly and focus.
I played with those veggie photos again and came up with this small section to paint. Interesting colors and shapes in a weird composition, but let’s see where it leads. I’m too busy to paint larger than this and it’s fine. Then again, if I did start a large piece I could work on it a little at a time.
No, too much pressure. We will keep it simple for now.