Courage

Art is fun...

I've been enjoying looking through some of my old art journals lately.  I enjoy spending quiet time taking in the images I created for times in my life that those images needed to be made.  Most of them were made for times where I was sad, scared, confused or frustrated.  Some though I made to make me smile and I really enjoyed coming across this one again. 

Quote

Quote

Connected

My favourite way to create is to go about it blindly.

I never know what I'm doing.

I describe it as giving in and going with the flow

and watching what unfolds.

It always feels like a part of me deep inside 

is being acknowledged and given a voice.

The process grounds me.

This image was created in my art journal.

I started with a layer of gesso to give texture to my papper

and to build it up so I could add layers to it without it dissolving.

I then added torn pieces of paper from books and magazines.

I simply chose the pages and images that stood out to me

and tore them out and glued them down where they

seemed to want to be placed.

The key for me is not to think about it at all and I find my

mind is quiet and not criticizing.

I chose paint colours that jumped out at me 

and kept adding layers.

I then left the image for a few hours.  

Once I came back, a face quickly jumped out at me.

I then added more layers of paint and pencil

to allow the image to come out more.

Intuitively I felt when I was done and I stopped.

Looking at the image now I feel connected to it.

Yes I made it, but it is more than that.

I feel that is connected more to my subconscious.

The image is giving a voice to a part of me

that rarely gets to speak freely.

I usually gets "shushed", ignored or criticized.

But here it gets a full page spread in my journal.

When you sit to create, do you have an idea of what you 

want your finished image to look like?  What process

do you enjoy following the most?

Teal

I've been drawn to the colour teal lately.

When I sit to start doing artwork

the bottle of teal paint practically shouts out

for me to pick it up and use it.

So I do and it feels great!

Do you go through a similar process when creating?

Do you find certain art materials begging to be used?

If so, do you follow through with the impulse?

 

 

My Witness

I sat down to create

and part of me wanted to leave.

Layers were added,

then taken away

and my process seemed pointless.

"Keep Going"

Quiet the critic

and keep your hands moving,

you don't have to know where this is headed.

"Trust"

My breathing changes and things go quiet.

My hands seem to move on their own.

"I see her"

Out of nowhere she appears

and I help carve her out of the layers.

Her eyes calm me,

she sees me.

My witness.