"Watchful Eye"
mixed media on wood
This is my latest little painting. Funny...I just uploaded the video on YouTube, and the first comment wanted to know if it was a commission because it was so cute. But, it wasn't a commission...in fact when I started the piece I had no idea or preconceived notion about what it would become. I have to work shifts at my gallery 6 times a month. The shifts are short, only 3 hours long. I moved all my painting supplies to my home studio, and all my jewelry making supplies to Blue Door. My goal was to work on jewelry for my 3 hour shifts. But, lately...I've been so obsessed with painting, that I still pack up the painting supplies and take them to work at Blue Door. Silly, I know...
One day...late for work...I grabbed this gorgeous wood panel, and a few other supplies and darted out the door for the gallery. Once I got settled at the gallery, I knew that I didn't want to lose part of the gorgeous wood grain of the panel, so I randomly put down sections of rice paper onto the wood. Then I mixed up some watery paint and just played for a few minutes...just unconsciously painting on the paper with no idea or care about what it would become. When I was finished....I looked at the crazy brushstrokes and immediately saw a baby elephant...and I just started making up the rest from my imagination. The thing is...the little baby elephant was really not in the ideal place for a painting...but I chose to ignore that fact...and in the spirit of Tim Gunn...."make it work".
You see..I'm a big believer in no mistakes in my art. It took me a long time to get to that point. Everything for me is a happy mistake or destiny. I know that probably sounds outlandish for many...but that's just how I roll. Yes, even if I spilled an entire bottle of black ink on my canvas...I would still consider it to be destiny. I would work really hard (but without stress) and find the gift that had been given to me by that ink spill. It's there...I promise...you just have to be open to receiving it.
Is it harder to paint this way? No...not really. Sometimes it doesn't move along as fast as a painting I planned out to the Nth degree. It takes a little longer...kinda like a puzzle instead of a road map. But, the best part is it always turns out better than anything I could have imagined in my mind.
I love that. It makes painting exciting. I go to bed thinking about the painting...and can't wait to start on it first thing in the morning. Just like....a box of chocolates....you never know what you're gonna get...but one thing you know for sure.... is it will always be chocolate.
I never know what I'm going to get when I create...but that's okay...cause I'm just painting because it's fun...how wonderful is that????
Happy Valentine's Everyone!♥♥♥
Here's a new video for you!
Love and Valentines to You All ♥♥♥♥♥,
Wyanne
PS. There are a couple of spots left in Paint Free. Opens today, first lesson starts Wednesday. Click here for more info.