Drifts and Petals
February 6, 2009 by Janice
Not knowing. Not knowing is sometimes a really good thing. It allows your beginner’s mind to respond to what’s before it. I know the feeling I want from this piece, but I do not know all the pieces yet. So not knowing, I begin to sketch. Let my hand explore. That’s how we get acquainted. How we find connections. By letting thoughts drift. And pencils move. Sometimes you find clouds and blue skies in the petals. Places where paint can flow easily unimpeded. Build anticipation for the fun of that. Will it be warm cerulean there? That high noon of blues. Hm, right here is a spot I’ll use that lavender, the one I see at dusk. How can I paint silence? The way evening felt as I watched day turn into night ? Thoughts need to drift. Need to have room to flow. Especially at this stage.
It’s the stage of becoming.
I am putting a magnolia in the land of pink dust and adobe. Light changes there, magically. Differently. It is one of my happy places. So capturing wonder is high on the list. With expansive skies and unfettered time, an artist can connect with clouds that move across skies. Chase the dance of light.
That too is a stage of becoming.
So not knowing, trying this, maybe that. Making exploratory marks on pieces of paper is a painter’s conversation. A little back and forth with my subject. A little chat with experience. I know where I want it to take me, it’s getting more solid by the minute. Even now I can almost see it fully formed. But getting there, bringing myself fully to it, is more than half of the fun.
Looking for wonder, looking for play. Thoughts drift , petals speak, of Santa Fe skies and clouds to me.
Now, who’s up for a Silver Coin Margarita? Yep, it’s Friday so we should head to the Dragon Room at the Pink Adobe by five.
What do you think? Do you give yourself time on a project, just to let it come to you?
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9 Responses to “Drifts and Petals”
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Hmm, this is making me feel deliciously dreamy. I love how you make not knowing feel exciting and inviting, rather than uncomfortable.
And yes, it’s Friday night and I’ve switched off, so a margarita would be wonderful…
Joanna Young’s last blog post..How Do You Get Past Your Writing Road Blocks?
Janice,
“How can I paint silence?” What a lovely question. That’s the kind of thing I love to ask when I have a brush in my hand… which is too rarely these days.
Your sketch is full of promise, I’m looking forward to seeing it evolve.
When I work I do give myself time, allow it to come to me instead of chasing it. But only after years of learning about myself! The funny thing is, if I chase, the ideas run away. But seriously, the moment I give myself really quiet drifting time, the answers I need come right up and whisper in my ear.
And today?
Mm, the most “Friday” ish I’ve felt in a long time. I think it’s going to be a lovely, giggly weekend.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..What’s Underutilized, Under Your Nose, and Costing You a Bundle?
That’s it, we’ll meet at five. After all the incredible work we’ve done this week, oh yes, we should kick back.
Joanna-Not knowing IS exciting at this stage. It’s kind of fun not to be attached to any one way of getting there, but I know that the light play on the whites will lead.
Kelly- Yes, I have to paint silence into a section of this, I found it in one lovely spot on the left. Hm… There’s a post and a bit of Keats in that. I love this: “give myself really quiet drifting time”. Those whispers are lovely things. Hope you have lots of giggles.
I always make a point to put time aside to paint, (like my painting group on Monday nights). It’s more of an excercise to make me get off my arse and PAINT something. Sometimes I pull off something decent. But more often than not, it’s average-mediocre. A “learning experience”, so to speak.
But I find my best work is spontaneous. I might have an idea mulling around inside my head…it might take days to get it onto the paper. Or months….it dosen’t matter. I have no set schedule.
But (providing my Muse isnt’ too ticked off with me), when I do decide to listen to her on the spur of the moment, that’s when I get my best results.
(Of course, I can afford to procrastinate like this, because I paint as a hobby…it’s not my bread and butter!)
Friar’s last blog post..Quadrupling your Effectiveness with S.E.O.
@Kelly
“How can I paint silence?”
Put up a blank canvas, take out your brushes, then walk away….
And accept the silence for what it IS….not what it SHOULD BE.
(Oooooohhh…now aint’ that DEEP?)
Friar’s last blog post..Quadrupling your Effectiveness with S.E.O.
Friar- I like to set up opportunities for spontaneity myself. Kind of sounds contradictory, but it isn’t. Willing to be surprised is a good thing. Unless the surprises just don’t work, and those are good too. All those just make the next piece better.
What is it called? Deliberate practice. And they show in your Basil things BTW.
@Friar- re: silence
What you described is called “Performance Art ” . You are so truly deep.
@Janice
Performance art. Yeah, that’s it.
I just picked up a few pointers from Yoko Ono. (I mean..she is SO TALENTED!)
Friar’s last blog post..Quadrupling your Effectiveness with S.E.O.
So that thing you and Brett do on Thursday nights…that’s kind of her influence in action huh? An existential look at life?