I recently had the pleasure of working on a graphite and acrylic drawing that would be residing in a tiny little girl's room. When this little girl's mother contacted me about the drawing, she only had slight suggestions of what she'd like to be included in the final piece and gave me full artistic freedom on everything else. (perfect client!)
This allowed me to delve into memories of growing up and being a little girl myself ~ thinking about what images I remember that struck me and inspired imaginative journeys that took me far away from my own safe orange and green room in Anaheim, CA. My mom made sure her children's shelves were filled with books, and that those books would tell great and odd stories to light our imaginations afire. The most important details of a book in my opinion (even as young as I can remember) were the illustrations. We had so many books (most of which came from the local thrift stores) from so many eras that enriched my hungry mind with illustrations that I would sit and study for hours. Those pictures would transport me.
And so I wanted to be able to create something for this particular little girl that could possibly feed her head for years and years. Color is important in setting a mood for a piece - I didn't want to go with a pink because I think in a little girls world now days everything is your standard pink (which I love pink for little girls!!), but in this piece blueish~purpley~red gave it a little more of a serious feel, more adult than little kid. The hair is what I used to grab attention - something about long, long dark stringy hair - almost villainess, but not in a bad way! The branches in her hair, the castle coming out of her skirt and the circus in the background create the story (or mystery!) for this girl, and then the magic of making all of her favorite things dance around in the air was the final chapter in hopefully inspiring this little girl for a long time to come.
I must remember to think like a little kid more often than I think I already do. There's magic in a young mind. I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to spend some time thinking that way. :) Happy Friday people!!
There are days when I cannot seem to draw. No matter my effort, whatever comes out of my pencil is garbage. And there are days when I sit at my newest painting and I can't seem to jump in with my heart. There are blocks. There are hurdles. Distractions. Unwelcome circumstances that get in the way. There are hang ups and fears and sometimes over-zealosy (that's not a word) that can swing a painting moment this way or that and it's up to each artist to sort those things out, give em the proper attention and address them as they come up. And man, there are a few. That's what has been going on in my world as of late, I've begun two new paintings for my next solo show, and had come up with that feeling of non commitment. I couldn't understand what was happening - I had all the research, all the excitement, all kinda new stuff in mind, all the inspiration and still sat at each painting doing "work". Not allowing my heart to flutter all over the piece... I stopped painting for days (but that always has me feeling like a kid that has to pee really bad but can't get to the restroom), and alas ~ with the help and insight of my favorite dude that knows me so well and a few miles of driving alone with Pink Floyd in my ears (that know me so well), I realized I wasn't trusting my instincts. My instincts are all I have since I was never properly taught how to paint, and I had been watching a lot of painting demos on Youtube and then trying to apply a few tips and professional tricks to my own work. Which is helpful (sorta...I'm not sure yet) but I firstly need to listen to my guts ~ they lead the way best. And that was an invaluable lesson for this old girl. So painting days are back in full effect and I'm feeling extra extra super.
I can't wait for the morning so I can paint more!!! eeeeeYAHHH!!!! PS, why this layout paragraph botching, Blogger? Am I at fault?? Is it me??
