There are days when I ask myself why I paint, what's the point, where am I going with my painting, and blah blah blah, as though I should have an answer, as though in the absence of having one I am failing.
Other days I'm alive awake alert enthusiastic, alive awake alert enthusiastic, alive awake alert, alert awake alive, aliveawakealertenthusiastic!
Today I was totally in my happy place—making marks, letting them dry, spraying them with fixative, brushing over them lightly with matte medium. Sun was shining, air was warm, grass was green, I was painting in my front yard. Complete contentment.
Why do I paint? Because, it appears, I do!
I could leave this patch of perfect fun as is, it occurs to me. And, at the moment, I will, since my first tutee of the day arrives momentarily.
But I am itching to see what happens next with this little square of sunshine and enthusiasm.
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| new patch, first marks |
8 comments:
I have asked that question a lot, especially lately. Of course no answer. Some days I really need a push and others it comes spontaneously. Somehow however I always feel better when I have made the effort and have done something. Maybe that's one of the reasons why we do it. I love the starts and mark making and yours is no exception. Think I will adopt your -aliveawakealertenthusiatic-. Wonder how that would sound in Hebrew? Hmmmmmm
Love your mark language. Love your enthusiasm. Love the reminder that we don't always need an answer. :)
Questions, questions, questions, so much weather passing through. Let me know if you translate aliveawakealertenthusiastic into Hebrew!
Thanks, Sheila. This mark language was fun to put in place; I liked stretching my mark-making vocabulary—doesn't quite feel like 'me,' and yet who else could it be??!!!
Nope, don't always need an answer. Certainly don't always get one.
Dotty, you are such a breath of fresh air! And I want a little of whatever your aliveawakealertenthusiastic mojo is! Love the marks. Love the whole project!
Jen, you are a cheerleader par excellence! Thank you. Your encouragement nudges me in the direction of my aliveawakeawareenthusiastic mojo v. my complaincollapseconfusebemoan mojo, and I am most humbly grateful.
Will try again Dotty! Love what you have written, and for all the painting you have shared on Core Values - such a great project!! Love the mantra and love you for all you do and share - have a lovely day! ox
Hi Janet, thanks for your affirmations (both when they reached the blog and when they did not!). I pledged to myself from the start to have my blog be a journal of my painting life whatever shape it took. Sometimes it takes some oomph to post what to me is ugly either visually or mentally but I've never regretted my decision. Always love hearing from you.
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