happy as a lark

I am truly

right about now.

Let me tell you why!

This morning I went into my studio without any preconceived ideas as to what I was going to do while I was in there.

I started as I usually do by checking out FaceBook and reading/responding to emails.

Then...

* I got up from my chair *

* Grabbed my charcoal *

* Went to my easel *

* Started drawing this lady.

You may be wondering, "What makes this so different than all the other drawings I do, regularly."

Right?

This is why...

On this very day I have overcome 2 major resistances.

#1- This is a 24" x 24" inch canvas that I've had on my easel for many months now.  

I've added paint to it  hoping that would spur me on.

I usually paint/draw much smaller than this.

#2.  I have been wanting to start drawing bigger and looser.  

Here I have overcome drawing bigger

You see... 

It's the simple things in life that can make a person happy.

I'll be sure to show you when she's done.

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU!

"Polarity"

Once upon a time, there was this white canvas panel sitting on my easel.  I decided that it shouldn't remain white any longer.   I got out different colors of ink and smeared them around.  After they dried I dripped Titanium White Airbrush paint on the top.

One evening I was sitting in my studio, I began to notice all these faces that started appearing within this piece.  I had other people telling me they saw even more faces.  It was sorta creepy and cool at the same time!!  After much deliberation...

I decided not to bring any of those faces forward.  I turned canvas upside down to see a different perspective.  There were more faces!   By this time I'm intrigued and getting into the mystery of this piece.  There is one section piece in the middle of the canvas, 2/3rd of the way up.  There is an eye, with the pupil and the iris a clear as a bell.  Can you see it?  I couldn't resist any longer.  Needless to say~that became my starting point.

I got out a palette knife, Burnt Umber paint, and began to bring forth whoever was lurking from behind.  I tried to not have any preconceived idea of what to do I simply wanted to letting her roll out on her own.  My intention was to only paint.  I did know that I was only going to use a palette knife and my fingers, no brushes.

As I continued to paint she evolved.

This piece took me "off-center", out of the realm of my normal way of creating.  I feel my art can be safe sometimes and my desire is to learn to loosen up. 

"POLARITY"

She is titled "Polarity" because within her outward appearance is a combination of gentle and soft in conjunction with a little rebellion.  The truth is, we all have multiple facets of who we are.  

Am I to learn from this piece to loosen up a little more?

Not just in my art but in my life, as well?

Now that's a whole other thought to contemplate.

“Polarity, or action and reaction, we meet in every part of nature; in darkness and light; in heat and cold; in the ebb and flow of water; in male and female; in the equation of quantity and quality; in the fluids of the animal body; in the systole an”
                                                                                                                                          Ralph Waldo Emerson

lucky me

This is a story of how the Universe works.  
I have been wanting to paint on a large canvas.  Yet every time I would consider it I (FEAR) would talk myself out of it.  All my reasons seemed legitimate... how do I begin? - what do I paint? - these are so expensive to not know what I am doing. - I would be wasting my money, so on and son on.  I'm sure you have experienced this negative self talk when you start something new.  Haven't you?  

I have been in the mindset to bust thru resistance ever since I watched an interview, a couple weeks ago, with Steven Pressfield on Super Soul Sunday.  I understand how resistance had held me captive and I am inspired to know that I no longer need to place judgement on myself.  All I have to do is push thru resistance.

Anyway... last night I decided to go to Michael's a purchase a larger canvas.  Much to my surprise one of their Daily Deals was 60% off all canvases.  I am smiling.  Why?  Because I, also, had a coupon on my iPhone that was for 25% off my entire purchase, including sale items.  YES that means I was going to get 85% off my canvas.  I couldn't control myself any longer.  I did the Happy Dance right there in the aisle at Michaels!!!

Needless to say, I walked out of Michaels with 8 large canvases.  I am so frickin' excited to paint on the canvases that I can hardly contain myself.  Stay tuned because I will definitely share with you what I create.