Gratitude Discussion Group

@parus @merpreb @lionness

The painting is in oil, although right now it looks almost like water color. I'm just laying in the main colors now and will be deepening the colors and adding the details later. I've never worked in oil this way before . . . when I was younger I just slathered it all on as quickly as possible and then mushed around with the details. I used a more abstract, multi-colored approach for everything, more like VanGogh's use of movement and color. I was always afraid that I couldn't make art that was lifelike. I like that approach, but I'm challenging myself to be more disciplined now. We'll see how I do. I'll send you updates as I get more done on this.

No, my husband isn't an old salt, LOL. He looks like he is, but we were actually on a boat tour of Morro Bay when I took this photo. He was very relaxed at the time.

Lioness, I keep hearing about OLLIE classes from my friend Anne. I'm going to look into their painting classes as well. I want to start the water color class as well, but don't have the time right now.

Yes, I find that drawing and painting makes everything else disappear. I lose myself in what I'm doing and time is irrelevant. I think they call that being in the "zone." I found that to be true when I was developing film and making black & white photos in my dark room 40 years ago. I loved it, but times change. I was fortunate to be able to attend an Ansel Adams Gallery Workshop at the University of Arizone when I was in my 20s. He asked me to work with him in the darkroom to see his method of developing his photographs during the workshop. I didn't know who he was at the time--wow! I like photography because I didn't have to worry about making lifelike art.

I am grateful for the wonderful opportunities I've had in my life. They have opened my horizons, my heart, my mind, and my spirit to learning and to meeting and accepting new people. I'm also grateful for Citalpram for taking the fear out of all my endeavors. Thanks for your feedback everyone.

@parus @merpreb @lionness

The painting is in oil, although right now it looks almost like water color. I'm just laying in the main colors now and will be deepening the colors and adding the details later. I've never worked in oil this way before . . . when I was younger I just slathered it all on as quickly as possible and then mushed around with the details. I used a more abstract, multi-colored approach for everything, more like VanGogh's use of movement and color. I was always afraid that I couldn't make art that was lifelike. I like that approach, but I'm challenging myself to be more disciplined now. We'll see how I do. I'll send you updates as I get more done on this.

No, my husband isn't an old salt, LOL. He looks like he is, but we were actually on a boat tour of Morro Bay when I took this photo. He was very relaxed at the time.

Lioness, I keep hearing about OLLIE classes from my friend Anne. I'm going to look into their painting classes as well. I want to start the water color class as well, but don't have the time right now.

Yes, I find that drawing and painting makes everything else disappear. I lose myself in what I'm doing and time is irrelevant. I think they call that being in the "zone." I found that to be true when I was developing film and making black & white photos in my dark room 40 years ago. I loved it, but times change. I was fortunate to be able to attend an Ansel Adams Gallery Workshop at the University of Arizone when I was in my 20s. He asked me to work with him in the darkroom to see his method of developing his photographs during the workshop. I didn't know who he was at the time--wow! I like photography because I didn't have to worry about making lifelike art.

I am grateful for the wonderful opportunities I've had in my life. They have opened my horizons, my heart, my mind, and my spirit to learning and to meeting and accepting new people. I'm also grateful for Citalpram for taking the fear out of all my endeavors. Thanks for your feedback everyone.

@gailb Wow, how many photographers wish they could have been in the darkroom with Ansel Adams... what a learning experience. What he did well was to find abstract patterns in nature and photograph them, and then develop and print the photos with magical light in them. If you apply that thinking to your paintings, you'll make interesting compositions. Good representational art work also has a good abstract pattern in it that attracts the eye first before you see what the details are. Don't be afraid that you can't paint something the way you want to.... all artists face that, just do your best. It's OK to fail, and you're going to learn a lot about success by failing at your experiments. You don't have to put any expectations on yourself about showing it to other people while you are painting, just be in your zone and consider that to be your safe place of refuge where you can play and experiment. Keep at it and you'll see your artistic abilities grow, and always learn by looking at work by the masters and figure out how they did something. You do need drawing ability behind your representational paintings that will help you judge if your brush strokes are in the right place and correctly representing the mass and structure of the subject.

@gailb I believe that you are so correct, that "zone " we go into while creating is a safe place. Your painting is a great tribute to your talents! So glad you shared with us.
@lioness Golly, I am interested in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, also, and just looked them up. There is one at Cal State Fullerton, not too far from me!
Ginger

@jenniferhunter Thank you for the great advice! I never think of failure as a way to learn, but I will now! Becky

I am grateful I have finished my latest drawing. Now onto a new adventure in creativity. Rest well all.

@parus Ya gonna keep us in suspense, lady? I got my workable cleaned off, cut some fabric to make more breast cancer support group care bags. Going to repurpose a rolling cart to help organize the art supplies and keep it off the table.
Ginger

@gingerw My youngest is designing a work table for me with storage. His broken arm has him unable to do much of anything which includes going to work. Lots of free time and his forearm in a cast.
Suspense eh??? Well, this last pen and ink is how cluttered my mind is. View with caution anyone with vertigo. I am still endeavoring to de-clutter my brain. A messy chore.