. . .deep in the paint. . .and two sides
Tonight will have to be a slice of life since I was deep in the paint for eight hours today! Or is it a side of life? Don't you feel positively indulged when offered two sides with entree? Decisions, decisions. . .
Delicious dinner last night with a friend. . .and joy of all joys, when exiting the restaurant, it was RAINING. It was so wonderful we simply sat and waited it out. . .not feeling pressed for time, just enjoying the misty spray, the blowing wind, occasional thunder. Everything desperately needed a good drenching and the rain gods were doing their best. While basking in the rain something flew right by me! Would you believe a praying mantis? Found clinging on the palm next to me. . .caught up in the wind and holding on for life! Out there all alone, in front of a restaurant, in the weather, late at night, on a potted plant. . .made me feel quite lucky.
My mantra while driving early this morning to deliver something to the Art's Council? "I am rich." I do this all the time. . .think, ponder, reflect, decide, while driving and sitting at red lights. Today "I am rich" channeled right into my thoughts and was accompanied by a smile. Not rich as in MONEY! No way! Rich as in abundance, full, deep, mellow. . .as Webster's would define it. I said it out loud (yes I do that!) and it felt even more so. Said with enthusiasm (yes I do that too!) it was sublime.
I knew I had a painting waiting for me at home. . .I had already gone through my mind what choices were to be made for today's session, and what was needed to continue bringing up all areas of the painting. A lot of critical judgements are best made only when you can see its fullness. Yes, it's a slow dance and although a lot of artists don't paint in layers, as I do, I find it immensely satisfying. . .I'm thinking this kind of planning comes from my watercolor days where I always felt like an engineer of sorts building a bridge before starting a large painting! Saving the white of the paper was always paramount and definitely required a plan!
Delicious dinner last night with a friend. . .and joy of all joys, when exiting the restaurant, it was RAINING. It was so wonderful we simply sat and waited it out. . .not feeling pressed for time, just enjoying the misty spray, the blowing wind, occasional thunder. Everything desperately needed a good drenching and the rain gods were doing their best. While basking in the rain something flew right by me! Would you believe a praying mantis? Found clinging on the palm next to me. . .caught up in the wind and holding on for life! Out there all alone, in front of a restaurant, in the weather, late at night, on a potted plant. . .made me feel quite lucky.
My mantra while driving early this morning to deliver something to the Art's Council? "I am rich." I do this all the time. . .think, ponder, reflect, decide, while driving and sitting at red lights. Today "I am rich" channeled right into my thoughts and was accompanied by a smile. Not rich as in MONEY! No way! Rich as in abundance, full, deep, mellow. . .as Webster's would define it. I said it out loud (yes I do that!) and it felt even more so. Said with enthusiasm (yes I do that too!) it was sublime.
I knew I had a painting waiting for me at home. . .I had already gone through my mind what choices were to be made for today's session, and what was needed to continue bringing up all areas of the painting. A lot of critical judgements are best made only when you can see its fullness. Yes, it's a slow dance and although a lot of artists don't paint in layers, as I do, I find it immensely satisfying. . .I'm thinking this kind of planning comes from my watercolor days where I always felt like an engineer of sorts building a bridge before starting a large painting! Saving the white of the paper was always paramount and definitely required a plan!
Anyway, today was hugely gratifying in so many ways. Mozart and Beethoven played right along with my efforts and all in all, a deep, mellow richness walked in while deep in the paint.
Sumptuous - private collection
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