Back in the Saddle / December 1, 2023

 December 1, 2023

Back in the Saddle

You may—or may not!—recall that I started painting a 30 x 30″ canvas at the end of September, starting with a sketch in my art journal. I jumped ship on the sketch in short order and reverted to my default approach of figuring things out directly on the canvas itself. I posted work-in-process in early October, and then went on a drive-down-the-highway journey to Virginia.

It’s December now.

I’ve been home for weeks.

But, of course, I continue to journey—in this case, with this painting, moving in and out of fear. Plain and simple, upon return from Virginia I was afraid to pick up a brush and get going again. I acknowledged the fear repeatedly but just could not get myself to paint.

I did trust that eventually I’d move past the fear.

That move took place a few days ago.

What I’ve noticed: I LOVE the feeling of creative flow each time I work on this painting, I LOVE watching what emerges on my canvas each day. Every time I go upstairs, no matter the reason, I detour to my studio to look at and enjoy the canvas. Every time I’m about to head downstairs, I do the same—detour to my studio.

What I’ve also noticed: I have to overcome fear Every Single Time I think of picking up my brush to work on this painting. OMG! What the heck?!

So it goes.

Crazy as it seems to my rational mind, I know that all of the above is why I paint, including feeling whatever fear arises.

detail, work in progress on 30 x 30″ canvas
[with apologies for lighting challenges when photographing]

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1. 

   Joyful Puttering

   December 1, 2023 at 7:37 pm

   Edit

   It’s interesting that “fear” seems to be an important part of your creative process….at least on this piece. Fear often kicks us into gear….kind of fight or flight. And this painting is taking flight!!! It’s beautiful….and I would have to stop and look at it every time I walked by it too! Those colors are fabulous!

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   1. 

      Dotty Seiter

      December 1, 2023 at 8:10 pm

      Edit

      Thanks for your thoughtful reflections here. You’ve got me musing now about how often and under what conditions ‘fear’ is a key player in my creative process. I’ll continue pondering that one. I do like your positive spin coming out of the fight-or-flight element. Thank you! The colors have been grand fun to mix and work with.

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2. 

   imajenationgmailcom

   December 2, 2023 at 2:57 pm

   Edit

   The FEAR! The FEAR! I am right there with you – it is a monster I feel compelled to tackle in the studio. This piece – I love the calm resting space in the lower left, and how those two vertical lines feel like “arms” reaching down to pull me up into the canopy. Yum.

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   1. 

      Dotty Seiter

      December 2, 2023 at 4:14 pm

      Edit

      oo, oo, oo, thank you for the feedback on the visual language of this section of my work in progress—i.e. the calm resting space and the ‘arms’ reaching down to pull you into the canopy. i so value having my eyes opened wider through others’ eyes … in this case YOUR wonderful eyes!

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3. 

   Simone

   December 5, 2023 at 8:42 am

   Edit

   How lovely, your painting! And I completely undestand – I believe that’s why I love painting so much. It brings me on that edge of learning and living.

   
   

   1. 

      Dotty Seiter

      December 5, 2023 at 11:13 am

      Edit

      Simone! That’s it! The edge of learning and living! Thank you!