The Painting Spectrum - Twists And Turns Of Fate

   Seasons change - and even within a season, elements can change rapidly. As I write this, the sky is grey and another snow storm is due to hit. Less than a week ago, I had bare ground outside my studio. By Monday night, there will be over two feet of white winter powder. The same can said for a painting; an artist can look at it, work with it, and struggle with it for weeks or months. Then, at a moments change, it evolves into something completely different. There are the occasional times when I struggle to get myself to paint; there's not as much natural light, the muse isn't with me, or I just feel like snuggling and being cozy on my sofa.

   Life in general, can also mirror the creative process. Even as something as routine as going to a weekly church service. My husband Dave and I have been engaging in this ritual together for over 30 years. But, like the creative process, sometimes I fight it. It's too cold, I'm too tired, or maybe I just don't feel motivated to go. However, just like engaging in creativity, if we get lazy, we will miss extraordinary moments in what seems like ordinary. For example, if we didn't go to church this morning, we wouldn't have realized that today is "World Marriage Day". Furthermore, we would not been part of the married couples "renewing of our vows" portion of the service. By engaging and being in the moment, it was very moving. Dave and I looked into each others eyes the entire time we recited the vows given during the service.

   Needless to say this day has been surprising. Dave and I have been like a couple of young kids all day. We share each others passion - just like we recognize the others passion for creativity. He understands how and why I literally throw my soul into my art. Ditto with his photography. The day has been full of twists and turns. It reminds me of this past week as I went over three more paintings I had done several months ago. I added darker colors to the works, (similar to what I did to the paintings in last weeks post), but I also retraced the twists and turns of the lines in the paintings.

   Like a marriage, a painting, over time, goes through changes that in the long run can make for a better, more vibrant work in the end.

   My love to all,
   The Happy Painter,
   Jill