Painting Flowers

Pot with Flowers.  10" x 12"  Acrylic, Graphite and Collage.

I did this painting several weeks ago and took it along to a small format show.  It never got a second look that day and I nearly painted over it several times since.  My good friend and fellow artist, Joan, saw it and loved it.  Suddenly I thought it had merit again.  Why didn't I trust my own instincts?  Why did I need outside approval?  

I have some work that I am so deeply connected to I don't care what anyone says about it; I know its good because I love it.  Some others I think are fine, but fall more deeply in love with as time goes by.  And then there are paintings I unearth in my studio and wonder how I possibly signed my name to them... ghastly.  Maybe paintings are like relationships: some are love at first sight and remain so, others grow on us over time and still others that were once lovely could now be recycled.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life.

Wishing you a day of quiet joy,

Sandra

Painting Flowers

Sometimes I get "stuck" on a painting theme.  Right now it seems to be flowers.  I may tell myself I'd like to do a landscape or a figurative painting, but the only thing that wants to be expressed is flowers.

Title: Four Vases
30" x 30" Acrylic and Mixed Media on Gallery Canvas

I chose to repaint over a former abstract work that I wasn't in love with.

What it looked like "Before"

"After"

 You can see that the new painting was "sketched" directly over the old one.  This is a fun challenge because you have to work with what is already there.  (The colours in the before photo, taken a few years ago with a different camera, are more vibrant but the second is more accurate in terms of colour intensity. ) 

I wanted to keep the painting loose and not overly "worked".

Detail from Four Vases

I used blue tissue paper to add areas of interest and a watercolour pencil to outline some of the flowers.

Detail from Four Vases

Diluting acrylic paint with a little medium creates some transparency, which reinforces the unfinished, loose, undefined feeling.  A brush helps to create outlines but using a spatula prevents the painting from being overly controlled.

I hope you can find something creative to put your hand to this week.

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Sandra

Selfishness and Freedom

"Selfishness is not living as one wishes, but asking others to live as one wishes."  Oscar Wilde

Title: Soft Flowers. 30"x 30" Acrylic Mixed Media
S. King-Allikas

I LOVE this quote!  It feels like a permission slip to leave the confines of a dull class, or a "get out of jail free" card in Monopoly.  It just begs to be sent to all those people in our lives who want us to show up where they want us to be and to behave as they would like us to; those individuals who manipulate and pressure us to make choices and live lives that don't threaten the safety of their world and their choices.

Sometimes I am at fault for not speaking up and expressing my wants or needs, so how could anyone know? The challenge is how to deal with situations when you've mustered up the courage to make the unpopular choice, to say that a situation is no longer acceptable, that you will not be able to fit yourself into their schedule, and that I am choosing something other than what they hoped I would choose.

This is where my thinking was going circular until I found a quote on freedom which has proven oh so helpful.
"The moment I accept the consequences of my choices, I am free to choose whatever I want."

So then it becomes a simple formula, I am feeling pressure to choose "A" but I want to choose "B".  The possible consequences of choosing "B" are ________ (fill in the blank) for example: "They will be angry and may not speak to me". "I may be passed over for a promotion."  "She will gossip and try to turn others against me." "He will say that I am selfish." Am I willing to accept these consequences?   If yes I have the freedom to choose what is right for me, every time.

We must each choose how to live our best life, that is our unselfish gift to the world.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a day of freedom,

Sandra

Out of Hibernation

It's nearly mid-March.  How long have I been hibernating for?  Months in fact.  Months and months of pulling inward away from the world, away from the darkness, the cold and life's winter storms.  Weather patterns can be so unpredictable.  So when life's storms arrive on your door step I hope that you have your survival kit in order.  Mine contains: kindred spirits, a quiet corner, prayer (if you can manage it, and on the worst days you may not be able to), a dog to curl up with and mugs of tea.

With the arrival of March the sun is stronger, the sound of melting snow trickles to the sewers and the smell of mud reminds me that it is time to come out and play again.  That is how I found myself back in my painting studio after months of inactivity.  I tried to paint intuitively choosing colours and shapes that pleased me without giving myself any restrictions.  My goal was to play, to be happy again.

Title: Happy Flowers
40" x 40" Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas

Detail from Happy Flowers

Today is sunny and the mercury has climbed all the way to 5 degrees Celsius; and tomorrow?  Fifteen to twenty centimeters of snow.  Oh well, today is lovely and I have decided not to let tomorrow's flurries dampen my happiness today.  I'm on my way out the door for a sunny walk with our dog.

Thank you for stopping by at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.
Wishing you a most happy day,
Sandra

From "A Course in Miracles"

My last post was written so long ago that I had trouble signing in to my blog this morning.  I don't really have any of my own words or thoughts to share but everytime I read this brief passage from "A Course in Miracles", my heart resonates.  I believe these words are true and wish to experience what they promise.

 

"What could you want that forgiveness cannot give?  Do you want peace?  Forgiveness offers it.  Do you want happiness, a quiet mind, a certainty of purpose, a sense of worth and beauty that transcends the world?  Do you want care and safety, and the warmth of pure protection always?  Do you want a quietness that cannot be disturbed, a gentleness that never can be hurt, a deep abiding comfort, and a rest so perfect it can never be upset?

 

All this forgiveness offer you, and more.  It sparkles on your eyes as you awake, and gives you joy with which to meet the day.  It soothes your forehead while you sleep, and rests upon your eyelids so you see no dreams of fear and evil, malice and attack.  And when you wake again, it offers you another day of happiness and peace.  All this forgiveness offers you and more."

Lesson 122 A Course in Miracles

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a day of happiness and peace,

Sandra