Maybe it will jar my "get up and go." Hopefully. (I type with two spaces after a period. That is old fashioned I read the other day. Hmm.) Writing down your goals and ideas is supposed to help. I haven't tried that .... yet. So here goes.
Richard McKinley wrote a post about how therapeutic art is. Have a look.
http://www.artistsnetwork.com/articles/art-demos-techniques/from-the-archives-the-power-of-art
I will have to say that art hasn't been so therapeutic for me. I don't know what the deal is. Maybe I am just old and tired.
Ever since our fire of 2011, I am not as excited about art. I painted 43 keepable/sellable paintings in 2010, and 26 in 2011 almost all before the fire which was in September. In 2012 - 20, 2013-14, 2014 - 23 and this year 12. I painted more things or did other things I didn't count as paintings, like gifts.
I make a calendar every year that needs 13 paintings, one for the cover. I only painted 12 paintings and didn't care for one of them for the calendar so had to find two from the archives. Sad don't you think?
I have tried many of the ideas I have read about and Gene has supported and helped me with all of them. I (we, I drag Gene with me or he takes me, whichever makes more sense), went to conventions, workshops, taught classes, art walks, sketched, painted with friends (a super idea), plein-air, commissions, donations, etc. Maybe the answer is to just stop painting professionally and just do fun things? How do I stop? How do I make progress?
When I am actually painting, I do enjoy it. We had a paint along with my granddaughter, daughter-in-law, niece, grandson-in-law and grand-daughter-in-law on our Thanksgiving trip. It was so much fun. Why doesn't that translate to general painting enjoyment?
My beautiful studio just sits here and looks at me.
Writing this down as a "goal" may do the trick. We shall see.
Bolivian Market
Pastel on Pastelbord, 16 x 20 inches
Blue Window
Pastel on Pastelbord, 11 x 14 inches
I just saw this as I was looking for a photo of a painting to post, an old one that was sold in Magdalena and is/was in a private collection in Socorro, New Mexico. I like the blue windows in New Mexico, too.
Stay tuned to see what comes of this!
7 comments:
Even if you aren't painting, I hope you are happy. That fire was a huge deal - especially for people in your stage of life, it's not surprising it has affected you deeply. I'm thankful for your time painting and would be sad to see you stop blogging. But you should do what works you, you've earned it.
Rose is right. That fire was a huge deal. It's funny how painting can soothe our souls, yet we avoid painting in times of trouble. As for posting your troubles, I think it is good to put it out there - make yourself more accountable. Sometimes that works for me. Sometimes I just have to purpose to do something. Some sort of challenge!
I love the two paintings - especially the NM blue window.
Rose, thanks. We are happy and doing well. I'm pretty sure I will keep blogging. I can't shut up! I have been keeping up with the sketching so I still have something to talk about. Heh.
Bag Blog, thanks to you, too. I'm pretty sure something exciting will come along. I love adobes and blue doors and windows. Of course, geraniums!
The blog "gurus" are usually full of "it" actually lol and are panicking a little since blogging is not as popular as it once was
you still sketch, so thats creating art :) maybe you are putting too much pressure on yourself when it come to painting for a job??
Jennifer Rose, thank you for the pep talk. :) I have really taken time off and will see if that helps. Working on a commission now and will paint for fun soon.
Jo ... as you know I do of the things that the gurus say we shouldn't!! Goodness where else can one rant or moan except on our blogs? I also know so well what you are feeling about your art at the moment - I have been the same for the past 2 or 3 years. Maybe it is just that we need 'space' between our paintings in order to raise our enthusiasm? I don't know. But I keep hoping that my original zest for painting will return one day .... and my fingers are crossed that yours will too, my dear cyber friend <3 <3 <3
Lesly, hi there!! I think of you often with good wishes always for you. My dad used to say "Just shoot and holler s__t!" So that seems to be my plan. Hoping you have inspiration and energy as well. Thanks for the caring, returned to you. ((hugs))
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