This weekend I learned a valuable lesson. I learned to paint like Matthew. He’s one of my students and you can read about him here. Go ahead. Read all about him. You need to do it to understand what I’m going to say. Do it now, I’ll wait.
CAN YOU STAND THAT SMILE??? OMG, I get PAID to hang out with him. Little emoticon hearts here. Lots if I knew how.
And by the way, that wonderful art program is a non-profit agency. Always strapped. Just sayin’…in case that smile made your give o’meter start ticking.
Now back to my weekend. I had the itch. And the only cure was STUDIO TIME. I needed to paint SO MUCH that I willingly braved rain and snow and a wind so fierce trees and birds were falling out of the sky.
I HAD to do it. There was a big canvas calling my name. And when a canvas speaks, it’s best to listen.
This one was 40×40, that’s inches for my Aussie friends. I’d done a number of layers on it a week or so ago. I didn’t have a plan, just knew it was time to add some definition. So I did.
Now, about painting like Matthew…I hooked my laptop to some speakers. Opened up the R&B folder in iTunes. Cranked up the volume ’till the walls shook.
I danced like no one was watching.
I sang like no one was listening.
And I painted like no one was home…
I. Did. NOT. Think.
The bird up above? He just evolved. As did the other shapes.
Evolved into this. Which is still a work in progress. Very much so.
My ego began kicking in around the same time the light got bad. Figured it was time to call it a day. Don’t know if I’ll be able to get back to it until next weekend. The night lighting in Studio Grande sucks. Ahhh, but the soon-to-be-new-Studio-Grande will have lighting conducive to working all through the night…if I’m ever so inclined.
So after a day of music and painting I curled up on the sofa with Mr. Spouse and a couple of dogs. Basketball. March madness. The Final Four playoff. He was very much into the game. And I was very much into the players. Umm…hmm… Sweaty young men…great shoulders…. What’s not to like?
Susan – what a fun way to paint! And I love it – so colorful What did you think of your online workshop with Flora Bowley? She’s offering another one this summer.
What did I think of Flora’s workshop? Overall, it was good. I came out of it with a lot more than when I went into it. This was her first and I’m sure she learned as much from it as we did, as far as running an e-class. I think the material could’ve been condensed to a week or two instead of five…but that could be my impatient soul talking. It was more about ‘where is your head and heart’ rather than technique. I had a couple of AHA! moments but, because of a busy schedule, very little interaction with the rest of the class. The opportunity was there but my time wasn’t. The audio from the last day or so really nailed it for me, just her philosophy about finding your creative voice and ‘doing it’. You might be able to get all that from her book. It’s coming out soon.
My problem now is keeping Flora out of my work. Obvious influence there as I’m still finding my own path. But that will evolve, I’m sure.
♥Susan sweetums,
dancing. singing. painting. unthinking. evolving. creating. playing. And ooooohhhh I’m imagining big grinning and I’m hearing of much ♥Delight and ♥Joy.
Thank you for being precious ♥You and I imagine Matthew does too – I bet he’d PAY to hang out with You!!:)
LOVE you Susie♥
As Matthew would say, Susie, “Happy day! Happy day!”
Then he’d bat his eyelashes and smile : )
Mmmmph–that’s a big kiss winging it’s way over the ocean just for you!
Bless you for lighting up Matthew’s face. Although as you said, he seems to return the favor.
He carries his own light, Patti. I’m just lucky enough to bask in it : )
quivers my heart joyful
just to imagine you there
free and grooving to the music
and painting your heart out!
oh, I need some alone time:)
-Jennifer
My wish for you, dear Jennifer…some quality time just for you to do whatever is in your heart : )