Two reasons for the disappearance. First, I was thinking of becoming an outlaw. I don't actually know what the rules of the challenge are but I was considering breaking them. I really liked layer 11, and I'm the boss of my painting life, so why not stop?
Just as important, however, was the fact that I got busy with other projects. A wedding and a bunch of birthdays came along and I wanted to paint for them. So I did.
All the while, I kept my challenge piece in view where I drank in its details and energy each time I sat at my laptop or met with tutees.
Then, a few days ago, again for two reasons, I decided to wield my brush anew. First, I'd continued to see posts on Instagram of those who've faithfully added a layer every day—they're up to thirty-something layers (!) now—and the daily changes are an ongoing invitation. Just as important, however, was the fact that the longer I honored my attachment to layer 11 by letting the painting remain unchanged, the less attached I felt.
So a few days ago I picked up a foam brush, a tube of black, and a squeeze bottle of fabric paint. Layer 12.
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| layer 12/100 |
The next day, I rotated my gessobord and used ink pen and paint pen to add white circles and dots. Layer 13. I am fascinated by the repeat experience of loving what I see in front of me, change after change after change.
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| layer 13/100 |
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| layer 14/100 |
10 comments:
Gorgeous! Love all the lovely marks - especially in layer 14. The layers look so rich. So....only 86 to go!
Bravo!! What a HUGE step to # 12.!!! Wish I could be SO Brave! It will come I hope. Interesting that the longer it took the less attached you became. After that black invasion, it was less of a problem to continue. Love the veiling the tissue collage made and the lines are perfect, but not too perfect to continue.
Thanks for your affirmation of all the lovely marks, especially in layer 14. This is a fascinating project. And the number 86 sounds like crazy talk. Certainly beyond any imagining!
Thanks for your comments, Carol. Step 12 definitely required some significant letting go but, as with so many things in life, those things to which we hold so tight can lose their energy over time. Suddenly, I was ready to move on, and doing so didn't require any particular bravery. Then, after the black invasion, easy to slap on a couple more layers. The tissue paper and lines were fun.
DOTTY!!!!! Layer 13, perfectly set up by layer 12, has me ENCHANTED! I can't stop staring at it! But I forced myself to move on an look at layer 14...which, I now know, will perfectly set up the next layer. I can't wait! Hurry! Hurry!
Such fun to hear your responses to the layers! 13 had me enchanted, too. I hesitated before moving to 14. This project is such a teacher—holding my hand in the non-painting parts of my life saying, "remember? you've got this. you've already done it before."
So much back and forth, yin and yang, push and pull in this exercise.
Love all your dots and circles, inspired me to use that... you will see soon. Love the BOLD black. You are so courageous!! Love the flowing lines, and the swirly tiger stripes. Having so much fun, watching you have fun :)
Thanks, Sheila! Will be watching for your dots and circles : )
I think I used the bold black because at a subconscious level I was hoping its boldness would infuse me—*I* was not really feeling bold, more desperate, knowing I had to do SOMETHING, had to dive into the cold water! But it is all fun, and I am SO much more playful in my art than when I started out three years ago.
hahaha outlaw! You CRACK me up, Dotty. :D Attachment is such a fickle beast. I often fall in love with my newest, greatest painting, only to turn around and cringe when I see it again a couple months later.
Attachment IS fickle, and I'm grateful that I am coming to live in healthier ways with attachment as part of what is and isn't.
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