Monday, October 21, 2013

NOT A PRETTY PAINTING

I'm in a restless mood.  I am not finding inspiration that lasts more than an hour or two. I know I need to "find" my own voice and my own subjects that truly move me and can sustain me.
  
So far, I've flitted from this to that.  Except for the crow series, I haven't really landed and stayed on anything for very long.  



While waiting for a pretty painting to dry, I began thinking about pretty paintings - and if that is what I want to paint.  And I, as much as anyone else, enjoy seeing a beautiful painting.  

I painted this (Tap Root) just from putting down colors, creating shapes and textures.

I think I need to take some time for goal setting, thinking, and perhaps less time on the computer.  

Time away for a while will be good, I think.  Although I know I can't stay away for long - this blogging thing has become a habit.

What, if anything, does my work say about me and my life?  
Maybe it's time to do some experimentation; time to paint a few ugly paintings until I come up with what I'm looking for in my work.  

See you soon!

9 comments:

Caroline Simmill said...

Hi Rhonda, Emily Carr Artist 1871 - 1945 wrote many inspirational sayings. One of them is my favourite and may be of help to you.
'what do I want to express? what is my objective? what? why? Why? what?

Vandy said...

I know what you mean about lacking inspiration. I think we all have low patches and it's difficult to get started.

I find taking the pressure off and just playing with colour, shape and textures usually gets me going again in a little while. Your thinking is sound, I believe.

Just keep on playing and the inspiration will come. Thank you for sharing this, Rhonda. It's so easy for us to think that we're the only one struggling for ideas and direction. It's brave to go public with this sort of thing, but so incredibly helpful to other artists.

Just keep on painting and blogging, please.

Carol Blackburn said...

Good luck in your journey, Rhonda, but don't stay away too long. I'm sure we all understand the process you are going through. Blessings!

Debbie Nolan said...

Dear Rhonda - blogging does take up some of our creative moments. I will miss you but know you will be back with some new and interesting art. Have a great break. God Bless.

Gary L. Everest said...

Hi Rhonda,
Boy! I can certainly identify with your feelings. Everything you wrote haunts me from time-to-time and as difficult as it is to explain, suddenly it's gone.
Take all the time you need...your friends will still be here when you return.
Sincerely,
Gary.

Autumn Leaves said...

Good luck, Rhonda!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Yes, we all have those fallow times that make us think about what we want to do and why.

I find its really good to have a target and a deadline biting at my heels to make me concentrate.

Pretty pictures are one thing, but I don't believe that's where you want to go. Perhaps a small series of crows and ravens, which you seem to favour? Concentrating only on the aspects of the birds or close up sections of them and their interaction in terms of texture and colour and toss "pretty" out the window?

Whatever it is, it will come to you and you'll find your focus again.

JANE MINTER said...

hi rhonda don't disappear too long... ....sorry i've missed lots of your posts rhonda just wanted to say i loved the black gesso crow...something good will come out from your restless phase .

RH Carpenter said...

I had a long and personal response to everyone here - tried to post it and got a Blogger error!!!! AWWWKKKK!!!!
So I'll just say THANK YOU
to everyone who offered support and comments about this today.