The Painting Spectrum - New Year, New Goals, New Experiences

   It is that time of year when we want to make a fresh start with certain aspects of our lives. We write lists of goals, we may even make a bucket list of sorts; We visualize hopes or dreams or wishes we want to come true. Sometimes we keep them, sometimes not. I have many goals for all aspects of my life and I find I have to prioritize my lists to what I value most about my life.

   Despite being the artist that I am, to the point where if I don't paint and create, I will die, my family comes first on my list. I spend my evenings and the weekends with my husband. Every Thursday afternoon, I spend time with my youngest daughter and her two boys, and every Saturday afternoon with my other daughter and her two kids. The rest of the week, I have to myself. While I have various commitments, I really don't have too much in the way to hold me back from painting on a daily basis. And sometimes it hits me: Why is it so hard sometimes for me to sit and paint?

   Over the past two weeks, I feel I have some sort of an answer - it's called life. I'll give you some examples of what I mean. I actually completed two new paintings this week. I have to let the oil paint dry for two weeks before I can apply a coating of glitter nail polish. If you recall some previous posts, you'll remember this is something new I'm experimenting with and seeing mostly decent results.

   Over the past two weeks, I had the chance for the first time to use iridescent oil paints. Even though I've completed three works with them, I'll be honest with you - at this juncture I really don't like the looks of them. They dry faster than traditional oil paints, but that's not enough for me to keep using them. I may try some nail polish on them, who knows. At least I can say I tried them.

   Last week I became a great-aunt once again. The newest addition to the family was born on Friday the 13th at 3:30am. Also as of this writing, I am crocheting a baby sweater. This another one of those life events that can take the place of paining. It is about 70% completed. Attempting to finish this task on a timely basis has been a challenge. A neighbor of mine who, in my opinion, is practically an expert at crocheting, told me the directions I am using even confused her! The look on her face was priceless when I told her the directions were taken from a "beginners" book! Be that as it may, I am pressing on and attempting to create a thing of beauty... complete with ruffles. God willing it will fit.

   As far as goals are concerned, finishing two more paintings this week is one of them. Oil spill inspired works are still the theme from last year. They are still flowing strong. In the weeks to come, it will be my goal to polish the earlier paintings of this series and to have them show ready by June. Just taking things one goal... and one experience at a time.

   Until next time,
   The Happy Painter,
   Jill

The Painting Spectrum - Breathtaking Moments; A Year In Review

   The morning I wrote today's post, the weather was a balmy 40 degrees and it was raining. For coastal Maine in late December - this is balmy. My husband and I ventured outside and walked to our church service. When we reached the parking lot, we realized the storm drains in said parking lot we're clogged and the surface was a skating rink covered in water. To traverse or not to traverse... we paused in the pouring rain and wondered. If we turned around now, there was no chance of slipping, falling, or getting my clothes soaking wet when I fall on my ass. The distance, while only approximately forty or fifty feet, seemed like an eternity. My husband Dave started making his way over what was left of a rain-soaked snow bank, while I looked one last time at all that ice. Near the snow bank were some rough tire tracks that were now formed in ice. With the help of the snow as well as the uneven surface of the tracks, we made it safely to our destination.

   Once inside the warm, dry building, the priest who was leading the service asked me to sing the opening hymn as the organist was running late due to the weather. For the 2nd time in approximately 10 minutes, I was at another decision crossroad. I was honored he asked me, but my heart was pounding from nervousness. It was then as if I heard a little voice that stated, "Trust me." I was filled with confidence. I began singing the opening hymn acapella, and the rest of the church joined in. It was quite moving, breathtaking - and not because I was the one who led it.

   Later on that day, I was pondering certain events over the past year that were also breathtaking. Everything from my grand children's birthdays, going hot air ballooning during the summer, as well as attending a Veterans Day memorial service in honor of my deceased father who served in the Vietnam War, In addition to those moments, I thought about all the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, flowers, smiles on all our friends faces during too-numerous events to list over the past 12 months, to the first snow fall in mid-December; it all adds up to an amazing life.

   Now - what do all these "breathtaking" moments have to do with art? Another one of these moments came as I stepped up my creative process as well as my works to another level. Have you ever had that feeling when you've taken your passion to the next level? It's hard to describe, but you feel it in your heart. One aspect of this next level are more shows in 2017 - my husband and I have three months worth of shows already lined up with more on the contract negotiating table. Another aspect is I've honed in on my style and colors. I've even taken my oil spill inspired series to another level.

   In my paintings, I hope to show that there is still beauty in ugly things - man made or not. In viewing small-scale oil spills, (parking lot small scale), the light brings out patterns that we might not have witnessed otherwise, or if we weren't paying attention. In the end, if we become more aware of these problems, we may come to ways that decrease our inhumanity to nature as well as ourselves. That right there, friends, is beauty.

   I  am grateful for my life and the time I have to explore my world. I took a hiatus from painting for the month of December until January 6th. After that time, all the Christmas season decorations will come down and I'll get a large part of my studio back! I was talking with two other local artists last week, and they as well are not painting until after the holidays. I actually felt relieved that I was not the only one. One of these artists occasionally paints with nail polish. I had a dream recently that I painted one of my oil spill paintings, and then added nail polish over it.

   At first, I thought it would be too time consuming. In reality, it would be if the work was a 16"x20" in size or larger. Also, on a freshly painted work, the oil paint would have to dry first before applying the nail polish - and that would take at least several weeks. I decided to give it a go on two older works that are both 5"x7" in size and I was amazed at the outcome. I used sparkle nail polish and only applied it to certain areas. The result was breathtaking.

Here's to more breathtaking moments in 2017! Happy New Year!
The Intrigued Painter,
Jill

The Painting Spectrum - Filling In The Spaces

   I came to a realization this week - I'm getting into full-blown Christmas mode. I'm finally done with Thanksgiving and all that goes with it; from all the gratitude to the leftovers neither my husband nor I could handle anymore. It's officially December; our Christmas tree is up and half the house is decorated. In a sense, my studio is sacred ground. All art, all the time. It keeps me focused. The painting I completed this week was started early Monday morning and was finished the next day. Since other holiday festivities and commitments fill my schedule, it was the only painting I did all week.

   By Saturday, I started going through art withdrawals. To compensate for this, my husband, my only granddaughter, and I went to the monthly Art Lab at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art where we live in Rockland. We all became involved in a sculptural project, where the instructions were to create any part of the large museum and fill it with "art of your own making". We all started with two black "walls" and a "floor" that all made a kitty corner area that was made from thin foam board. The recreation objects included everything from paper, cardboard shapes, puff balls, baubles, trinkets, (everything from buttons to wire to safety pins), toothpicks, dowels, and plastic whimsies too numerous to mention.

   My husband Dave made a very nice piece with geometric shapes using an assortment of objects ranging from wooden objects to tongue depressors. He did a colored pencil sketch and glued it to one of his "walls". He even cut some electrical wire that had connectors on the end and made "wall lights". He finished off his space with a statue in the corner. In the end, it was very symmetrical; but that's the way he is - he's used to balance as well as the "balance of three's" being a photographer. Our granddaughter actually recreated a garden scene complete with an elaborate water fountain. Very intricate but artistic for a 9-year old. She's kind of a combination of Dave and I.

   Mine of course, was a little more of a rough journey. Sculpture is my weakest art form and I hardly dabble in it. This project however, was good for me because not only did it get me out of my head, but it got me out of my comfort zone. For me, it's good to get uncomfortable with art - that's how I learn and learn to grow. I began in the corner with a toothpick and a corrugated cardboard shape to act as a free floating sculpture. I used other toothpicks with flower-like beads for other standing sculptures. I crinkled paper for a 3rd sculpture, glued some puff balls and other trinkets on my "walls" and added some resemblance of human interaction by adding a wooden object that was in the shape of a bench. To be honest, I wasn't really happy with it... until I turned it completely upside down. Now everything was on the ceiling as well as the walls. The instructor raved - "...an inverted art gallery or space! That would be awesome!" I liked it; the instructor totally dug it; others just stared on in confusion. Mission accomplished!

   Getting back to my painting; my non-artistic friends are starting to get a little leary of coming over to visit me while I'm in my studio. I keep asking them what they think of my latest abstract oil spill inspired works. This week I finished a 20x30 oil painting entitled "Catastrophe". It's almost like a sculpture within that space that has to be considered. In a space close to me or in an area that will be "pushed back", what colors do I use to portray distance?

   Red hots allude to being up close where as pastel lavender recedes into the background creating the illusion of more than one plane or surface. That way, the painting doesn't come off as flat. The variety of colors draws the viewers eyes to roam the surface while their mind identifies with something it likes or is drawn to. The goal of the series is to have an eclectic experience of art. Art in its purest form. My expression of inner emotions - nothing more, nothing less. No story here; just unabashed, raw feelings filling in the spaces.

   Until next time,
   The Happy Painter,
   Jill

  

The Painting Spectrum - Let's "Process" Art

   It was a disappointing week for me. First off, I wasn't able to paint. For those of you who read my post from last week, may remember that I mentioned this future prediction; I mentioned Thanksgiving week was going to be a stretch to get any painting done. So, if I realized this fact almost a week ago, why am I still disappointed? I'm disappointed because I didn't paint - even though I realized in advanced there was a strong possibility of it not happening. Thus, is the cycle of the artist mindset.

   My second disappointment was the fact that my two pumpkin pies I baked for Thanksgiving dinner turned out to be disasters. It turned out I didn't follow the baking directions properly and I was missing one or two ingredients. Why? I thought it wouldn't matter in the end. What does this have to do with art? Read on.

   A good friend of mine reminded me that like art, many things have a certain process that needs to be followed, or the finished work will not be our best. Time tested procedures and directions must be followed. Shortcuts cannot be taken. If we do that, the finished work may even look somewhat decent, but under closer scrutiny, will show a great deal of flaws. My good friend also got together with me to help bake additional pies. We followed the process to the letter and all of them came out (and tasted) flawless.

   After our pie-making excursion, I invited her to my studio to view my latest paintings. She is not fellow artist, nor an avid art lover. However, I was still surprised at what she had to say about my latest abstract paintings. At one point, she twisted her head sideways to get another view of them.

   "This painting looks like a large bird," she pointed out to me. Then I held up the painting with one of the new frames my husband and I purchased recently. "Wow - it looks great in a frame. The colors really stand out."  I put the frame and canvas down. She walked over to the painting and continued critiquing in her own way; "It looks like energy is coming in from outer space - and in this sky looking area - it looks like the energy is flowing to the ground." 

   This is one of the beautiful aspects about art. We don't always have to try and figure what the painting is about. We don't have to know what each line and/or object is. My friend looked at a painting and identified what she liked about it and what drew her to the painting. That equals why she can enjoy it. Consider it the process of viewing art. Just like there is a creative process to actually paint the painting, the same could be said for viewing it. Ditto for making great pies!

   When I paint, I don't think in the logical sense. As crazy as that sounds, it works. I dance with my paint across the surface of the canvas. It's what I do naturally. This is part of my creative process and it comes to me easily.

   We all have gifts and talents. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my husband, family, friends, and the talents we all have. By the way - here's a picture of my "perfect" pie. And it tasted just as good as it looks. Amazing what happens when you follow a process that works...

Until next time,
The Thankful Painter,
Jill

  

The Painting Spectrum - Painting And Protests

   I honestly thought I would not be using this phrase yet; "The Holiday Season". But we can't blink the fact that it's now right around the corner starting, in my book, on November 25th. With this fact on the table and space already being at a premium in my studio, I knew these past seven days would be a key week to paint daily as much as possible. I almost hit my mark - I was able to paint Monday through Thursday to just that goal. Those of you who follow my blog, know I rarely paint on weekends, so 4 outta 5 ain't bad. Each day, I painted for however long it took me to complete a painting. There were some evenings my arms and shoulders were more sore than others. However, the colors flowed onto the canvas easily and intuitively.

   My emotions have been running high over the past 10 days or so; everything from the political scene, to the Super-moon last Monday, to a friend being on the receiving end of a racial incident. Another example of mans inhumanity to man. As corny as it may sound in these modern times, I keep hoping and praying there will be harmony and peace on this planet.

   There are still blessings to be found in everyday life, regardless of how chaotic. For example, my husband and I had a chance to spend some time with our oldest grandkids this weekend, while our oldest daughter attended a peaceful protest march in her hometown. The sign she held during the march stated "Tolerance is Humanity". That slogan was good food for thought - what if, in the art world, we did not tolerate works that were "different than ours" or "that we don't understand", or works "we don't agree with". Zero tolerance for new art make a very dull world.

   When my daughter came to pick up her kids, she found our first round of frames that had been delivered to our door for both mine and my husbands art shows that will be taking place next summer and autumn. We were pleased with the quality and how the frames looked. I also liked how the black frame looked against the bright colors of some of my latest oil-spill inspired abstract paintings. The works looked very dramatic, or as my husband and daughter mentioned, "it was so... me". I can't wait for the gallery to display these works. It also made me thankful that this gallery decided to display mine and my husbands works. They are very different than what's being displayed now. I'm glad they took a chance. While others may "protest" in some small way because the works being displayed are not a floral, or landscapes, or still life's (in which there is nothing wrong with these genres), the gallery wanted a change; to shake things up. For this, we're all for it.

   Until next time,
   The Protesting Painter,
   Jill

The Painting Spectrum - Clean Slate, Clean Palette

   It was another whirlwind week filled with voting (and that whole tense situation), making a trip to see my dentist, and a road trip to Massachusetts for a Veterans Day ceremony - and somewhere in all that I managed to finish another oil spill inspired painting. Part of my painting process is to maintain, to the best of my ability, an even emotional keel. My mantra is a desire to paint beauty. Beauty comes in many shapes, forms, and colors. My palette is a rainbow - one mindset I embrace is, if I can begin with happiness, I shall end with happiness.

    This is one reason why for this campaign season (marathon?), I shut off the television and blocked all political posts from my Facebook feed. I stayed informed enough for my comfort level, but that was my personal boundary. This past week however, a heaviness still weighed the atmosphere. By Wednesday morning, it seemed almost all of America had a massive political hangover. I had to strictly regiment my time this past week to avoid negativity at all costs. This meant no media at all; radio, newspaper, TV, and the Internet. My husband burned a massive stack of new CD's, so that is what played almost all week. This is part of my creative process. I need a "clean slate and clean palette" emotionally and mentally in order to paint or I won't be able to focus on my work.

   By midweek, I made my dentist appointment for a routine cleaning. In the hygienist's office, there was a cute stuffed purple dragon in the corner. He had green horns, a purple body, and big red dots on his face. He also had a set of false teeth and was holding an oversized toothbrush.  
"The kids call him Fuzzy," Alice told me as she scraped my teeth. I felt great after I left the dentist and went home to paint.

   One of the first order of operations was to remove the old palette sheet as the last remaining oil paint had dried up and replace it with a new one. On went the rainbow of new color - yellow, orange, red, green, blue and purple. Beginning with yellow, I laid in the design of the oil drip / spill I was going to paint. The other colors followed and their placement was wherever they felt "right" to me. After a few hours, I was satisfied with the finished work and called it done. I set it aside to let the paint start its drying process. As I stepped back, I could have sworn I saw Fuzzy, that happy purple dragon, in my painting... minus the false teeth and toothbrush of course.

   Friday morning came early, but I was blessed with a beautiful sunrise. A short while later, my husband and I embarked on the 3 1/2 hour trek to central Massachusetts. One positive aspect about our trip through Maine and New Hampshire, were no school buses and the road construction workers had the day off. Not so in Massachusetts - we were held up twice by construction (read: huge traffic jams) and arrived with only a 20 minute window to spare before the ceremony started. We were greeted by other family members and made decisions on who was doing what and where we were all sitting. As humans, I guess we all need some sort of "process" regardless of the situation.

   The ceremony was solemn but beautiful. There were the presentations of colors, veterans marching in, speeches (very short ones, thank God) made by local, state, and national (senate) officials. Afterward, there was the presentation of medals, certificates of appreciation, and a commemoration letter written by the President of the United States to over 120 Vietnam veterans. My brother and I accepted the honors in behalf of my deceased father. The ceremony closed with the singing of a few military favorites, the presentation of wreaths, and the playing of taps for all deceased soldiers.

   Even with the massive crowd of almost 1,000 people, we manged to snap some family photos and were interviewed by two local newspaper reporters. One of the questions asked of my mother was how her late husband handled his return home. She told them he didn't talk about it much. The Vietnam war was filled with controversy. There were years of protests and many veterans did not receive a warm welcome home nor the recognition they deserved. My father and my family just did the best they could. It's possible that my father didn't talk about the conflict that much because he wanted to start over with a "clean slate and clean palette" with his young family. It's a shame that it's taken this country 50 years to honor these veterans in some formal way. However, even though it took a half a century, I'm grateful.

   Most of my extended family joined us for a late lunch after the ceremony commenced. While waiting for our table at the restaurant we went to, there was another veteran who struck up a conversation with us. He thanked my father for his service. He didn't know me, my mother, or anyone else. However, there is a common thread of being human. We can all get along despite our opinions and differences. Because of this conversation with this stranger, I came away with a sense of pride, hope, and faith... in all of us. Maybe this is another example of a "clean slate" we all need to move forward in our lives.

Until next time,
The Happy Painter,
Jill

The Painting Spectrum - Flights Of Fancy

   This past week have been seven days of "priming the pump". This historical term came from a time when people used to have manual wells where they would have to pour a certain amount of water into the well first before it would operate properly. Once water was poured into the system, the well would pump more out to be gotten.

   My "priming the pump" task was when I put the gesso to six canvases this week. The entire process took just over an hour and then drying time used up a few more. Ironically, this process used to fill me with fear. The thought of "...what do I paint?" used to encompass my mind. The process of letting that fear go was even easier this time as I know it will be another form of oil spill inspired abstract. I do still wonder, however, where my process will take me though...

   I'll use the following as an example; I saw a young boy who was approximately 2-3 years old with his mother out at our local boardwalk one afternoon. As I walked, prior to meeting them, I noticed milkweed pods opened and seeds were everywhere. There was also a gentle breeze. As I came around the corner, I saw the boy stomping around, doing an odd dance - then stopping, smiling, and laughing - and then began doing the same ritual all over again. When I got closer, I saw other milkweed pods that had been opened and little seeds floating near him. He was totally enthralled in their flight. I smiled. It was good.

   There's so much that I've come to "know" as an adult. But how often do I just stop and wonder about life? Or about the simple things like floating milkweed seeds? I'm currently reading a spiritual book entitled, "One Day My Soul Just Opened Up". There is one essay on creativity that blew my mind. It stated that a power greater than ourselves (whom I choose to call God), "... infuses us with the power to conceive, express, and enjoy our creative power. We create through thought, word, and deed."

   Our expectations are self-fulfilling. Start each day by seeing it the way you would want it to be. See yourself moving through the day with a smile on your face and joy in your heart. I can do the same with my painting and creative process. I start this self-fulfillment with "priming my pump". I have to continue this process, via painting, as I want to see my finished work. Usually, I have just a concept, not an exact detailed vision, so my painting can go with the flow. I can paint without fear.

   Another example came from my husband. He shared a story with me of a couple in their 90's who are regular customers at the auto repair shop where he works. They got back about a week or two ago from a 2400 mile round trip to Nova Scotia. They were good health (as far as 90+ year old's go) and have zero fear of traveling. I can take this same creativity process beyond my painting and into my everyday life. I can imagine a larger studio to solve my current space problem. I can imagine more gallery or even museum exhibits and my works selling for more money. And why not?

   My goal is this, and while it does include being an artist, it goes beyond that. That all my fears of people, places, and things would dissolve as I courageously move through life conquering one fear after another. Life (and painting) is meant to be lived and enjoyed! May I be like that couple in their 90's and still filled with the wonder of a 2-3 year old.

   Until next time,
   The creative painter,
   Jill