Arum
Acrylic 45 x 120cm
Acrylic 45 x 120cm
Arum lilies grow wild in profusion here in the Western Cape during the later part of the winter. I love the winter here in Cape Town and this Arum seems to represent this special time of the year.
I mixed up some muted grays and browns, not having any subject in mind, I just played with the paint using large brushes. I am fascinated how the shades of paint mix on the canvas - I wet the canvas with medium and painted into this wet surface. Over the weeks that this painting lived in my studio, an Arum lily poked its head out and then the leaves appeared.
This is my first posting after a long break. I sometimes need to go "into" myself where my thoughts need to be consolidated. I have been trying to analyze how I can sometimes create powerfully emotive images and at other times I feel as if I am in a creative vacuum, unable to paint. I have come to realize that when I am fired up with feeling, I can paint in an emotive way, but when I am bumbling happily along, my muse dries up! The trouble is, who wants to live on an emotional roller-coaster? No wonder some artists turn to drink or drugs! I have been trying to find my own way of accessing my quieter inner self over these last few months.
I mixed up some muted grays and browns, not having any subject in mind, I just played with the paint using large brushes. I am fascinated how the shades of paint mix on the canvas - I wet the canvas with medium and painted into this wet surface. Over the weeks that this painting lived in my studio, an Arum lily poked its head out and then the leaves appeared.
This is my first posting after a long break. I sometimes need to go "into" myself where my thoughts need to be consolidated. I have been trying to analyze how I can sometimes create powerfully emotive images and at other times I feel as if I am in a creative vacuum, unable to paint. I have come to realize that when I am fired up with feeling, I can paint in an emotive way, but when I am bumbling happily along, my muse dries up! The trouble is, who wants to live on an emotional roller-coaster? No wonder some artists turn to drink or drugs! I have been trying to find my own way of accessing my quieter inner self over these last few months.
12 comments:
Dianne, I can soooo relate to this, just had 4 weeks of moping and procrastinating and am only now back on track again. I guess we just have to go with the flow...xxx
Hi Jacqueline, I think we artists all go through this, the awful feelings of doubt that come with these lean creative times are the most difficult to deal with. I am glad you are back on track again. x x
Dianne what a wise lady you are knowing when the painting urge descends upon you and taking other time to 'go within'. No wonder your artworks have that spiritiual nuance. Its a lot to ask of yourself to be in this muse mode all the time. To keep your eye in, so to speak, in those quiet times a little bit of sketching might be the answer to bringing you back to confidence in creating those wonderful works you share with us.
Hello Dianne, I so understand this up and down issue. Too much left brained work seems to make my muse retreat and it takes quite a bit to pull her back out again. Like you, it seems the right thing is to find my quieter self and get back to the core of who I am, then I can move forward. Lately, I have been focusing a lot on meditation which seems to help me a lot. I am glad you have resurfaced! It makes me happy.
Also, Dianne, I love this painting. It is so soft and very beautiful. I love the lightness of it in every way the weight as well as the light! As always, beautiful work.
Hi Joan, thanks for your kind comments. Yes, sketching is just the thing. Today I went out with some painting pals and we painted in a poppy field at a local flower farm. I had a great time doing a watercolour sketch of the vibrant orange, pink and yellow flowers. Good for the soul!
Dear Kim,
I was delighted that your recent posting also deals with this thing of being able to access the muse, despite all the left brain stuff that comes our way. I do all the bookkeeping for my husband's company, talk about a complete shift in brain-waves! I actually enjoy the shift, it feels like brain gymnastics!
Dianne, this is just a stunningly beautiful painting! Well worth the time it took to let it emerge. Maybe the painting slump is a Summertime thing as I've been going through the same thing. Glad to see you back at it!
So wonderful to see you back on blogger Di - and with a stunning piece of work!
Hi Tonya and Liz, thanks for dropping by and leaving your comments.
Hi Dianne, nice to see you posting again. Your writings are so true, as artists do seem to have waves of creativity when things go well but then 'off days' as well. Your work has inspired me to take to water colours this winter, they are really beautiful and enchanting. Regards.
Stunning Di!!!!
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