A Magical Mystery Tour
That’s what I’m on (and I’m jazzed). I knew something was up - a sense that things were moving big time under the surface of my normal busy life. Yet both that sensation and the normalcy seemed to go on forever. I’d been expecting a big bang of some sort and didn’t realize “it” had already happened until a few weeks after.
This is titled “Gaia’s Jewels”. I’m having fun with the batik method on rice paper and adding watercolor crayons.
I follow a couple of online art blogs. For years, I’ve passed on ads for art classes and workshops posted in them - never felt inspired to even click on a link. The impulse to act on this one was a strong one and following through on it has led me to Gwen Fox and her Master Class for artists. She’s an award-winning artist herself, as well as an art coach, and she’s clever-good at helping you pare down to bare bones - your strengths, your dreams, your desires.
In the past few weeks I’ve felt surprised, awed, and unraveled. In my most floundering moments I wondered how to put myself back together. Happily, Gwen has designed her course to offer the tools and the guidance to help you build on and to follow your own unique artistic voice.
This one started from a photo of trash left by the side of the road. The idea is to view the every day stuff differently. Can trash be beautiful? In an abstract, maybe. Untitled…suggestions?
When I was young, I did this automatically (before the adult thing got in my way). I had running creative conversations with myself that sometimes got me into trouble (see attached video below). And it’s also why I’m so crazy excited about this unfolding. I’ve wanted to feel solidly connected to this part of me for a long, long time.
“Santa Fe Rain”. Here, I’ve used neutrals and surprise bits of color to add interest. This is watercolor on yupo, the polymer paper. I’ll be showing you more of this paper later.
I’m already in love with Gwen and with my fellow artists in this amazing group. Equally intimidated by their collective talent and committed to enhancing mine, the only way forward was to be completely open to whatever the process might uncover. To myself and to them I said: “This is who I am. How can I be better?”
“Pulsar”. This piece is the batik method on rice paper. It was really fun and challenging and exciting as I discovered watercolor crayon is a way I can build on a design after I’ve already waxed the paper. More on this method later as well.
I’ve been stretched and reshaped before and always, always it’s been a very good thing. I know I can trust the uncertainty as well as the wisdom of this moment. My plan is to let my kid go wild, to eagerly follow where she leads and to keep telling my inner critic to bug off. I would like to remember that failures come from reaching and are good things to have happen along the way. (You have my permission to remind me of this when I forget.)
There will be a lot more later on to talk about. For now, here’s my very first warts-and-all video selfie. I was stressed out…what will I say?! Better yet, what do I want to say? By tackling that homework assignment, I’m one step closer to the prize and I’m really glad I took the challenge.
Talk with you soon!
