I have been suffering from a severe case of painters block. It's not that I am short on ideas but I do find myself short on time and motivation. Forcing myself to paint can only work so well and I have been trying not to beat myself up at the fact that getting out a paintbrush seems like such a chore. So it is with some delight that three events in the past couple of weeks have reignited that desire to paint.
The first was a talk I gave to a group of artists in Sherwood Park last week. I was scheduled to talk about my life and journey as an artist and was initially daunted at the prospect of having to speak for 30 minutes! But once I got going the words just started to flow and I found myself getting excited by my story. Being excited about my past achievements reminded me how much my life as an artist means to me and how it is an essential part of who I am.
This past Monday found me at Windsor Park Elementary School creating a visual masterpiece with 28 grade 1 students. We flicked paint and poured lots of colour onto a huge piece of watercolour paper and I think I had more fun than the students! There were a few times their teacher and I wondered if the painting was going to come together but the result was a stunningly beautiful piece and it was hard to believe that so many little hands could work together to produce such a cohesive work of art.
On Thursday I set up my painting gear and worked on a piece that has been languishing in the gallery racks for about 2 months. It really didn't need too much more work, but until then it had seemed like it might be one of those never-ending paintings. The result was something very unexpected and a departure from my usual style, but something that I am eager to pursue.
I have to say it feels really good to be creating again. So good that I am off to the mountains next weekend to paint and meet up with some artist friends that live there. I leave you with this quote from Pablo Picasso: "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life"
Have a great and inspired week!
The first was a talk I gave to a group of artists in Sherwood Park last week. I was scheduled to talk about my life and journey as an artist and was initially daunted at the prospect of having to speak for 30 minutes! But once I got going the words just started to flow and I found myself getting excited by my story. Being excited about my past achievements reminded me how much my life as an artist means to me and how it is an essential part of who I am.
This past Monday found me at Windsor Park Elementary School creating a visual masterpiece with 28 grade 1 students. We flicked paint and poured lots of colour onto a huge piece of watercolour paper and I think I had more fun than the students! There were a few times their teacher and I wondered if the painting was going to come together but the result was a stunningly beautiful piece and it was hard to believe that so many little hands could work together to produce such a cohesive work of art.
On Thursday I set up my painting gear and worked on a piece that has been languishing in the gallery racks for about 2 months. It really didn't need too much more work, but until then it had seemed like it might be one of those never-ending paintings. The result was something very unexpected and a departure from my usual style, but something that I am eager to pursue.
I have to say it feels really good to be creating again. So good that I am off to the mountains next weekend to paint and meet up with some artist friends that live there. I leave you with this quote from Pablo Picasso: "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life"
Have a great and inspired week!
The Flower Garden by the students of Windsor Park School
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