Not Today.....

"Not Today"

watercolor & gouache on board

8X10

originals & giclees available

Danny told me the other day that the planets have been out of whack.  This is coming from a guy who's not really into astrology that much.  But, I'm really beginning to think he is correct.  It has been a strange summer for me.  I've had great things happening in my career, and crushing things happen in my personal life.  Many of you know about my cousin who passed away, but this past week, we lost LaLa, our little yellow bird.  There's a part of me that wishes she was just lost, but in actuality she met her unfortunate demise from our new 5 month old kitten, Tokyo.  Very sad, tragic, and heartbreaking.  We've had some other strange things happen, so if things happen in 3's, as they say...maybe I'm done for a while?

I hope so... it's been an overwhelming past couple of months.  It seems like everything is so complicated right now.  I asked Danny...remember when we just lived our quiet little lives here on the island?  He said, Yeah...how do we get back to that?

Good question.  We came up with the answer for us.  Simplify.  Easier said than done.

I walked in my studio through the obstacle course of supplies the other day...and looked around.  Why do I need all this stuff?  Sometimes it allows me to take my work to a higher degree technically, but other times...it just get's confusing.  You really can have too many art supplies.  Yes...I said it.  I know some of you are gasping for air over the thought.  But, really you can.  It can stifle your creativity.   How do you simplify your art, when you can't bear the thought of giving up any supplies?

So, on this latest painting.  I decided to leave out all the fancy stuff and just go back to what I originally loved when I was first starting to paint.  This new painting is watercolor and gouache on Ampersand's Aqua bord.  I really enjoyed the freedom.  I could paint just because I loved it. I didn't have to worry about technical things.  I didn't really start out with any preconceived ideas about what I wanted to paint.  I knew the basic color scheme that I wanted to use and I knew she had to have freckles.  I originally thought that I might try to change it to a Halloween theme with a skeleton bird, but it seemed a little morbid considering everything that has happened. Not to mention, forced.

I decided to paint and just let it happen organically.  As it did...it seemed to be best with an empty cage. I was more than happy to be painting.  On the outside I was doing the "painting happy dance".  But, the pain of everything that has happened still made it's way into the painting.  I don't think you can really control that.  And if you do, it looks like you did control it.  You know what I mean?  I just had to let it be.

I really love how the painting turned out.  Totally different that what I had imagined in my head. And definitely totally better than any plans that I originally held for it.  No resin, no beeswax,  no Souffle pens, no fancy stuff.  Just the old tried and true supplies and a whole lot of love.

Simplify...works every time....

Here's the video for it.  I hope you enjoy it.




In other news, thanks to everyone that has signed up for the NEW Paint Free class.  I have been overwhelmed by your response.  There are only a handful of spaces left.  I'm really sorry, but I have to keep it reasonably small so I will be able to answer all questions and give each person their critiques lovetiques. If you think you might be interested in one of the last spots, click here to get more information.

Try simplifying your art and life this week...it does wonders for the soul.

Love,
Wyanne