Watch This!

So many things we do in life are about the process and not the end result or product.  That seems to be especially true for many artists.  Intuitive painting can tell a story.  Quite often it teaches a lesson or reveals something to us.  Making this video has allowed me to share a part of my process of creating art. 

 

I don't really have any insight on the origin of the crow or the flamingo.  The mood sure does change though.  I really liked the crow, but I like change too!

 

 

 

 

What's It Like to Paint?

 

 

My art at Etsy

Do you know that warm tingly feeling you feel on your skin when you step into the sunlight?  Imagine that same feeling, but it comes from inside.

I was able to videotape myself painting this piece, but the computer gods do not want me to upload it.  It's rather surprising to me to watch the process over again on a video.  I forget about some of the stages my paintings go through.  This lady started out as what looked like a tree growing in a boat.  For many of my paintings, I don't set out knowing what it will look like or what will appear.  I like to compare it to gazing at the clouds until you see an image.  The paint glides around the surface until something is ready to emerge.

 

My art at Etsy

 

I really can't think of anything I'd rather be doing right now than painting. So it's thrilling if someone else finds joy in viewing my art.

 

 

It's in the Eye of the Beholder (or something like that)

Seeing the reaction of others and hearing their comments when they viewed my art last night was pretty awesome.  I wasn't sure what to expect having so many people, several that I've never met, see my work...in person!  I could pull a Sally Field and say, "You like my art!  You really like my art!"  But it's much more than that. 

It's similar to life, you find what you seek.  Look for trouble, ta-da, trouble is found.  What jumps out at you when looking at art, can be a reflection of you in some way.  I'm not saying to over analyze it.  If you see a tiger, does it mean you're a tiger?  Uh, no.  But what do you notice about the tiger?  Is it calm and worry free like something you're seeking for yourself?  I enjoyed hearing someone refer to the bullfrog as Buddha.  And another woman described the peacock as wise and hinted that the bird was not young, but still had all her color and was full of life.  Anyone within ear shot could have told you that that woman was looking in the mirror. 

As the creator of the art, I know my story behind the images.  I love that people can look at it and see their own tale.  I receive lots of guidance from my work.  I'm thrilled that others enjoy watching my journey through my paintings.

 

 

But an animal is missing...

...the kiwi is all ready to go to his new home.

Everyone's Home




Charleston Artwalk - Sept. 20 (5-8)

I'm so excited to announce that I will be showing my art at White Oak Photography 807 Quarrier St. on Thursday, September 20 (5-8) for the Charleston Artwalk!

Presentation is Everything...



   

If you love something, it will show.  When we put ourselves into what we are doing, it will be reflected in our "work". 

 

My son, Gavin, was determined to make THE chicken pot pie of his dreams all by himself.  He did it with fork marks embellishing the crust.  Fabulous!

 

I put everything into my art when I am creating it.  I can't help but put my feelings into my paintings.  I'm feeling a little stronger and braver lately.  Does it show?   

 

The Evolving Tiger

The dog wanting to be part of the presentation.

I've Got Your Back



  I started this painting over a year ago after going through some major life changes and learning to stand up for myself. I had sketched the owls one summer day while visiting my family.  The emotions were still raw and I felt stuck.  I put it aside since I didn't want to "mess it up". Those owls have been in my art studio watching me for a very long time.
  After settling in to my life as an intuitve artist, I gained a lot of confidence in myself and my artistic skills.  I also realized there really is no way to "mess up" when you're creating art.  It doesn't have to be a happy accident like good ol' Bob Ross calls it unless that works for ya'...super.  But I think of it as the creation is reflective of your life.  Your art can show you what you're feeling and can teach you some lessons as well.  After I stopped being a perfectionist in my life, my art evolved that way too.  I felt ready to tackle this painting again just this past week. It was so easy to finish, it surprised me! I guess I had to finish learning a few life lessons to call this one "finished". So, why "I've Got Your Back"?  That's one of the many things I see when I look in the eyes of these owls. 



I've Got Your Back

 



Brief Wanderings Off the Usual Path

I had every intention this morning of trying something different.  Maybe there would be some other craft that I needed to explore.  Let's see how that went.

First, I got all of my sewing supplies out.  I found some shiny, iridescent fabric.  I was ready to make some groovy little hand bags.  The sewing machine thought it was a good time to create string hair balls.  Not cool.

Second, here comes the clay.  It was pretty enjoyable making tiny stone benches, vines, bird baths, gazing balls and such for a fairy/gnome garden.  Took way too long and not as exciting as I had hoped with "Yep, that's nice." results.

Third, I had some mugs, plates and tiles out to create something with the china paint I have.  After the other projects tackled, this appeared to be a bigger task than I wanted to take on.  The results can be unpredictable and I would need to clear off, clean out and fire up the kiln.  Whew!

So, the feeling I got when I put everything away and stared at that basket of paint in front of me was pure relief.  I had proven that I didn't need to be messing with anything else right now except paint.  I'd wandered off the path, but it didn't take long to find it again. I grabbed a large sheet of watercolor paper, taped it to the wall and I was ready.  The music played, the incense burned and my hands were emerged in paint.  I was up on my feet bouncing around.  (I hadn't realized that was missing in my other projects.)

It didn't take long for this angel to appear.  The blue moon and swirling water (more to that than I feel like analyzing now) came first.  Then, to my surprise, a male figure formed.  I can't recall painting a man, especially through intuitive painting.  This became my first male angel.  I think he's pretty swell. 

Gotta' Paint!

I wish I had started taking pictures of this process sooner.  I was just amazed by what the children were creating...together.  I have jumped into a process of creating called intuitive painting with great joy.  (More on that later.)  It looks like the boys have been watching me quite a bit.  I had a paper up on the wall ready to go, music playing and they stepped right in and took over. 

 I just stepped aside and watched.  Only the yellow circles were on the paper when they began.  They didn't question what or how they were painting.  They allowed the colors to fall on the paper as they felt directed.   It was like a dance between the three of them, the image and the two painters. 

 That owl was just waiting to appear. This process is so freeing. I am so thankful my children felt compelled to jump in too!

Lost?

If you do something with love, it's right.  It will open a new door.  (Though, you may still trip over the threshold and fall right into it.)  It will take you where you want to go.  The change that comes with your soul's evolution can be mind boggling.  Find the flow and you can soar through the winds of change.  I like to think that I'm floating along in a little canoe with my toes dipping in the water. 

Am I lost?  No.  Remember, not all who wander are lost. -J.R.R Tolkien  Feel free to wander with me...it's fun!

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCreativeFire

Just added a few new paintings.  I found them on my journey in the canoe.

With love,

Jennifer

Life Isn't Meant to be Taken Seriously

"Seriously?"
I've learned to stop asking that question.  Each time I ask it, I get knocked down on my knees with more of life's challenges than dog hairs on my yoga pants.  Why?  I found out I was taking life too seriously , MY life that is.  I wasn't laughing, climbing trees, painting, singing, gazing at the clouds, or riding unicorns (Yes, I said riding unicorns.  That will have to be expanded on in a future post.).  Realizing that I had this unfortunate perspective felt like I was living in someone else's body. 

Change, lots of it, came next.  I embrace change now because I know it has to happen in order to evolve.  And you sure can't climb a tree in the middle of a desert.  Whoever and wherever you are, change can be painful to say the least.

 I'm still making those changes.  I like to think the hardest ones are done for now. I'm able to take life a whole lot less seriously. I have so many more times that I catch myself laughing like when the dog slams his face into the wall while chasing a toy (of course he wasn't hurt, I'm not that kind of person) or when my son tells me his Zodiac sign is "Virgin".  And you better believe I'm finding lots of time to paint.  I can't get enough of it.  I was painting so much with my hands this summer that they were red and itchy the next morning.  (Guess where that set of paints was made.)  I laughed that one off too as I soaked my hands in a homemade remedy that a good friend of mine cooked up.  

I don't know where I'm headed, but I'm making the most of my journey.  As the amazing J.R.R Tolkien once said, "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken..."


My art can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCreativeFire. 

Love and light,

Jennifer