Goals for 20012.

I love the start of the new year.  I deliberately slack off in December, partly to enjoy the holidays but mostly so that by January I'm itching to get back painting.  By the first, I have new paintings planned, canvas bought to last for several months and all sorts of ideas for my students to try on Wednesday mornings.

The fact that my sales doubled this year is very motivating but nervousness sets in quickly.  Can I do it again or will this year be a dud?  I take a deep breath and remind myself... I do it for the pleasure of it, sales are just a bonus. 

I always build some kind of self improvement into my new schedule.  This year I've returned to my books on drawing that I started working through last January.  I kept it up until May before it got dropped in the rush of busyness.   I can see by this first practice drawing that my skills have rusted since then... but I will persist.

It's supposed to be an onion.

The new year begins!

I know... I've been slack at posting...but it has been the holidays :)

There have been numerous parties and a couple of gallery receptions and just the fun of family around at this great time of year.  Those are my excuses and I love them.

Below is the last of the paintings that I did in front of the congregation.  It was done on Christmas Eve so I had more time to paint since there was a lot more worship time than normal.  Doing these quick paintings in front of a crowd has been great fun.  I hope I get a chance to do it again.

I hope you have a wonderful 2012 that is filled to overflowing with great joy.

The theme was love...

Christmas seems to be coming together.  One more painting to do on Christmas eve then the celebration.

Another Sunday quick paint.   Jesus died for us.  What awesome love.  This is more Easter than Christmas but I painted what came to mind when I thought about love.  All my other paintings will have to wait for the new year.

Are you as busy as I am?

Are you as busy as I am?  Time is whizzing by... only five days left!  My unfinished paintings have been stored away 'til the new year and all my supplies taken out of the diningroom.  The tree is up and decorated but the Christmas village is still in the box.  I haven't bought the turkey yet but I've managed to bake several dozen cookies of three different varieties. 

The best part about all this busyness is that I'm quite relaxed and enjoying the whole Christmas adventure this year.  I think painting in church during worship time has added a new excitement to this holiday. I spend time all week long, thinking about what I can paint that best represents, to me, the theme of the service.  I should spend this much time reflecting on the service all year round.  But alas, without the added incentive, my mind doth wander.

The theme for this painting was light.

Another quick painting

The picture below is the one I painted quickly at church last Sunday.  I had four songs during which I could paint at the beginning of the service.  Then I sat down and realized I had the wing coming out of the top of his back, almost like it was pinned on.  Fortunately there was a song at the end when I could get up and fix it.

It was a beautiful experience being able to paint with a live band while they lead worship. I get really nervous in workshops because people see what I'm painting but this is completely different.  I feel bold and energized.  It doesn't even matter how the painting turns out because I'm enjoying myself so much.

I'm glad I can do this again for three more weeks.

A poem for my painting

The person who bought my Triptych presented me with a poem she wrote.  It's a beautiful piece of writing that tells what the painting "Ribbon of Life" means to her.  I feel very honoured.

She also invited me to a party at her home and introduced me like I was a celebrity.  Wow. 

Here's her poem:

Ribbon of life unravels

hues-textures-miles

snag

Road Block-Darkness

somewhere snatches of light

hopeful brightness emerging 

edged with receding blood

healing

cut ribbon seeks uniting

somewhere  bleeding continues

ribbon of life uplifting 

lighting the way ahead

future

is in our hands

somewhere road block melts 


by Estelle