Beth, I love the way you continue to embrace being a beginner, even with all your experience! There is something wonderfully affirmative about remaining open to learning, taking risks, and allowing ourselves to be changed by the process. Thank you for the reminder that creativity is not just about what we create, but also about how we experience the world along the way.
I can't wait to see the finished paintings! I love the clouds.
In my senior center class the teacher is always saying - "paint the what makes you happy and don't compare yourself to anyone else. We will all develop our own style."
I entered our county's senior art contest. No ribbons for me but I got inspired by those who submitted watercolors. So I hope to do more watercolors in the future.
Thank you so kindly for your comment on my clouds and for eagerly awaiting the paintings when they are finished. I'm not sure what possessed me to do two challenging paintings simultaneously! But I love what I am doing.
Your art teacher is so very wise. Yes, we must paint what makes us happy and not participate in the comparison game.
I'm proud of you for entering your art in a contest. I'm sure people enjoyed looking at your artwork. And who needs ribbons? The point of art, as we both know, is to inspire ourselves and others and to have fun.
I am so glad you will be doing more watercolors. Keep on painting!
Oh, Beth, you never fail to inspire! I love that you are continuing on your path of learning and growth — and that you are nervous but, nonetheless, bravely moving forward. That's a commitment to self-care, expansion, and refusing to stay small. I think, as artists, it is essential that we keep collaborating, working together, learning from one another, and staying in collusion with each other's work and knowledge! There are two important quotes from painters that come to mind here: Vincent van Gogh: “If you hear a voice within you say, 'You cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” I love that, and it applies to writers, too! Also, our beloved Georgia O'Keeffe said: “You are more courageous than you give yourself credit for.” And I believe that- our day-in-and-day-out sacrifices- our commitment to showing up here on Substack to spill and share and evolve! It takes bravery; let's be brave, Beth! The little side note is that I love the idea of you getting excited about gathering your tools — papers, colors, brushes, and so on! That's part of the grand "Anticipation" of it all- these are good days! Let's celebrate them, my friend~!!
Thank you -- you inspire me, as well. Showing up on Substack every week, revealing our inner selves, and being part of a wonderful community do allow us to put our trust in the universe. And gathering the tools that will help us create more art is a huge part of that anticipation, as you note. And, for me, collecting the supplies has been such a tactile experience -- holding the rulers, feeling the erasers, flipping the sketch book pages, etc.
And, yes, enrolling in these courses is a true act of self-care. Despite my trepidation, I am moving forward in order to improve and not stay stagnant. We artists must move toward growth in order to self-actualize.
I love the quotes by van Gogh and O'Keeffe. Such wise words from both artists.
Yes, Gerry, let's be brave! Courage is contagious!
Your clouds are looking fluffy and I love the texture you’re creating. I admire how you keep yourself open to learning and growing with your art. I know it’s not easy taking a group art class and so easy to get caught up in comparison. I’ve been there. Gesture drawing is tricky with the time limit and other people around, it’s hard to stay out of the comparison mind. But I think your choice to focus on being grateful to learn and having fun is the way to go!
Looking forward to seeing your new paintings and hearing about your experiences!
I used thicker paint strokes for the clouds than I typically use. I'm glad you like their fluffiness!
You are so right with the gesture drawing information. It is so easy to fall into comparison when doing this exercise. I agree that gesture drawings have that difficulty, with falling into comparison and rushing to get a somewhat coherent drawing..
Thank you for offering your perspective. I so appreciate you!
My in class drawings, especially gesture ones were so bad most of the artists just looked away. But when we got an assignment to do at home, well, one of the art students looked at it surprised and said, “oh you really can draw. “ lol
LOL My gesture drawings tend to be awful, frankly, so I can relate. I think getting timed can be stressful -- at least it is for me. If I have more time, I do better. And, yes, you really can draw!!
Oh Beth, darling Beth, where would we all be, we artists, if we were too afraid to take risks and even fail magnificently. I have done that, and I learned a bucketful of wisdom. You are a glowing example of the value of taking chances and braving something less than perfection. I, too, am terrified of timed exercises. When they give us 20 minutes in writing class, I freeze up up like an ice cube. Why? Perfectionism! I'm afraid my utterly mediocre first draft will be seen by others. Ha!
If I remember correctly, you've added more color and depth to your greenery.I admire your process, how you do things step by step to add or subtract if you can. Do you think Jackson Pollack did that? Ha!
Always remember, as if you could forget, that you are your daughter's role model. You are teaching her to be brave, to risk failure to take chances in life. You are teaching her that success is less in the product than in the process you sweat over to achieve it. That sweat (metaphor) is your badge of honor, and will make a big impression on her. What a lucky girl she is! Hugs to you and good luck with your classes. Just BREATHE! xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I can totally understand why you froze up during your timed writing assignment.
As artists, we should be taking risks to achieve growth and to learn wonderful things.
You also pointed out something I never thought about before: what are the effects my leap of faith and willingness to try new things are having on my daughter. She knows that I have trepidation and she will watch me go on and fail, as you so beautifully put it, "fail magnificently." I will keep these words in mind as I'm drawing in class.
I love this sentence: "You are teaching her that success is less in the product than in the process you sweat over to achieve it." Perfectly said, dear Marilea, Creating anything worthwhile requires sweat; it's hard work, even though it can be joyous.
I will breathe and enter class smiling on the inside, knowing that I've got this. Thank you for giving me great insight and reminding me of the importance of failure and to seize the moment and challenge myself beyond my comfort zone.
I love how you are a perpetual student! Beginners mind. Risk learning something new. It doesn't matter how "good" we are at it. We all bring our own unique talents to whatever we are just learning. The clouds in your painting have a lot of movement to them and their floating sensation is quite compelling. Have fun and get inspired in your new class!
I've always told myself that if I could be paid to be a professional student, I would gladly do it! I've noticed that you also have a student's mentality -- curiosity, wanting to learn, etc. -- another thing we have in common.
I appreciate your perception of the clouds. I tried to get them to appear as if they are drifting, so I'm glad that came across! 😃
Thank you for your well wishes about the art classes. Despite my nervousness, I am really looking forward to learning a lot more and improving my skills. And, yes, each of us has talents, which we send off into the universe, and which the universe fully embraces.
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn and have fun in my classes!
Gesture drawings? That's a term I've never heard before, but it sure makes sense. I guess every aspect of creating art must be thought of and practiced. Your clouds look great and I love the colors you have combined in your painting. I am anxious to see what you do with your rock painting. Good luck on your upcoming class and don't sweat it. Just remember -- it's supposed to be fun.
Thank you so much -- you are right; art is supposed to be fun, so I am going to do my best to enjoy the class, even doing the gesture drawings. It is amazing how many things there are to learn, and I have a huge amount to learn, always and forever.
Yes, the rock painting is a challenging one (why I chose two challenging paintings to work on simultaneously is beyond me! (LOL)) Anyway, I am so looking forward to reworking it so it can be improved. I am having fun with both paintings, so that's the important thing.
Thank you for your comment and for restacking my essay. I appreciate you!
The clouds are absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your art with us, and your feelings of trepidation about class even when you've been creating art for so long.
Thank you so very much for your generous words about my clouds. I so appreciate it. I'm happy to share my art and openly express my fears/hesitations. No matter how many years I've been creating art, I have a feeling that my trepidations will always be there. I just must acknowledge them and then go on. Thank you for your comment.
Beth, I love the way you continue to embrace being a beginner, even with all your experience! There is something wonderfully affirmative about remaining open to learning, taking risks, and allowing ourselves to be changed by the process. Thank you for the reminder that creativity is not just about what we create, but also about how we experience the world along the way.
I can't wait to see the finished paintings! I love the clouds.
In my senior center class the teacher is always saying - "paint the what makes you happy and don't compare yourself to anyone else. We will all develop our own style."
I entered our county's senior art contest. No ribbons for me but I got inspired by those who submitted watercolors. So I hope to do more watercolors in the future.
Hi Dee,
Thank you so kindly for your comment on my clouds and for eagerly awaiting the paintings when they are finished. I'm not sure what possessed me to do two challenging paintings simultaneously! But I love what I am doing.
Your art teacher is so very wise. Yes, we must paint what makes us happy and not participate in the comparison game.
I'm proud of you for entering your art in a contest. I'm sure people enjoyed looking at your artwork. And who needs ribbons? The point of art, as we both know, is to inspire ourselves and others and to have fun.
I am so glad you will be doing more watercolors. Keep on painting!
Oh, Beth, you never fail to inspire! I love that you are continuing on your path of learning and growth — and that you are nervous but, nonetheless, bravely moving forward. That's a commitment to self-care, expansion, and refusing to stay small. I think, as artists, it is essential that we keep collaborating, working together, learning from one another, and staying in collusion with each other's work and knowledge! There are two important quotes from painters that come to mind here: Vincent van Gogh: “If you hear a voice within you say, 'You cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” I love that, and it applies to writers, too! Also, our beloved Georgia O'Keeffe said: “You are more courageous than you give yourself credit for.” And I believe that- our day-in-and-day-out sacrifices- our commitment to showing up here on Substack to spill and share and evolve! It takes bravery; let's be brave, Beth! The little side note is that I love the idea of you getting excited about gathering your tools — papers, colors, brushes, and so on! That's part of the grand "Anticipation" of it all- these are good days! Let's celebrate them, my friend~!!
Dearest Gerry,
Thank you -- you inspire me, as well. Showing up on Substack every week, revealing our inner selves, and being part of a wonderful community do allow us to put our trust in the universe. And gathering the tools that will help us create more art is a huge part of that anticipation, as you note. And, for me, collecting the supplies has been such a tactile experience -- holding the rulers, feeling the erasers, flipping the sketch book pages, etc.
And, yes, enrolling in these courses is a true act of self-care. Despite my trepidation, I am moving forward in order to improve and not stay stagnant. We artists must move toward growth in order to self-actualize.
I love the quotes by van Gogh and O'Keeffe. Such wise words from both artists.
Yes, Gerry, let's be brave! Courage is contagious!
Your clouds are looking fluffy and I love the texture you’re creating. I admire how you keep yourself open to learning and growing with your art. I know it’s not easy taking a group art class and so easy to get caught up in comparison. I’ve been there. Gesture drawing is tricky with the time limit and other people around, it’s hard to stay out of the comparison mind. But I think your choice to focus on being grateful to learn and having fun is the way to go!
Looking forward to seeing your new paintings and hearing about your experiences!
I think the thicker paint strokes really work.
Thank you so much!
Hi Susan,
I used thicker paint strokes for the clouds than I typically use. I'm glad you like their fluffiness!
You are so right with the gesture drawing information. It is so easy to fall into comparison when doing this exercise. I agree that gesture drawings have that difficulty, with falling into comparison and rushing to get a somewhat coherent drawing..
Thank you for offering your perspective. I so appreciate you!
My in class drawings, especially gesture ones were so bad most of the artists just looked away. But when we got an assignment to do at home, well, one of the art students looked at it surprised and said, “oh you really can draw. “ lol
LOL My gesture drawings tend to be awful, frankly, so I can relate. I think getting timed can be stressful -- at least it is for me. If I have more time, I do better. And, yes, you really can draw!!
Oh Beth, darling Beth, where would we all be, we artists, if we were too afraid to take risks and even fail magnificently. I have done that, and I learned a bucketful of wisdom. You are a glowing example of the value of taking chances and braving something less than perfection. I, too, am terrified of timed exercises. When they give us 20 minutes in writing class, I freeze up up like an ice cube. Why? Perfectionism! I'm afraid my utterly mediocre first draft will be seen by others. Ha!
If I remember correctly, you've added more color and depth to your greenery.I admire your process, how you do things step by step to add or subtract if you can. Do you think Jackson Pollack did that? Ha!
Always remember, as if you could forget, that you are your daughter's role model. You are teaching her to be brave, to risk failure to take chances in life. You are teaching her that success is less in the product than in the process you sweat over to achieve it. That sweat (metaphor) is your badge of honor, and will make a big impression on her. What a lucky girl she is! Hugs to you and good luck with your classes. Just BREATHE! xoxo
Marilea,
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I can totally understand why you froze up during your timed writing assignment.
As artists, we should be taking risks to achieve growth and to learn wonderful things.
You also pointed out something I never thought about before: what are the effects my leap of faith and willingness to try new things are having on my daughter. She knows that I have trepidation and she will watch me go on and fail, as you so beautifully put it, "fail magnificently." I will keep these words in mind as I'm drawing in class.
I love this sentence: "You are teaching her that success is less in the product than in the process you sweat over to achieve it." Perfectly said, dear Marilea, Creating anything worthwhile requires sweat; it's hard work, even though it can be joyous.
I will breathe and enter class smiling on the inside, knowing that I've got this. Thank you for giving me great insight and reminding me of the importance of failure and to seize the moment and challenge myself beyond my comfort zone.
I love how you are a perpetual student! Beginners mind. Risk learning something new. It doesn't matter how "good" we are at it. We all bring our own unique talents to whatever we are just learning. The clouds in your painting have a lot of movement to them and their floating sensation is quite compelling. Have fun and get inspired in your new class!
Hi Stephanie,
I've always told myself that if I could be paid to be a professional student, I would gladly do it! I've noticed that you also have a student's mentality -- curiosity, wanting to learn, etc. -- another thing we have in common.
I appreciate your perception of the clouds. I tried to get them to appear as if they are drifting, so I'm glad that came across! 😃
Thank you for your well wishes about the art classes. Despite my nervousness, I am really looking forward to learning a lot more and improving my skills. And, yes, each of us has talents, which we send off into the universe, and which the universe fully embraces.
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn and have fun in my classes!
Guilty as charged! I am an unabashed lifetime student. I love learning. And . . . I could get lost in those drifting clouds.
Gesture drawings? That's a term I've never heard before, but it sure makes sense. I guess every aspect of creating art must be thought of and practiced. Your clouds look great and I love the colors you have combined in your painting. I am anxious to see what you do with your rock painting. Good luck on your upcoming class and don't sweat it. Just remember -- it's supposed to be fun.
Hi Nancy,
Thank you so much -- you are right; art is supposed to be fun, so I am going to do my best to enjoy the class, even doing the gesture drawings. It is amazing how many things there are to learn, and I have a huge amount to learn, always and forever.
Yes, the rock painting is a challenging one (why I chose two challenging paintings to work on simultaneously is beyond me! (LOL)) Anyway, I am so looking forward to reworking it so it can be improved. I am having fun with both paintings, so that's the important thing.
Thank you for your comment and for restacking my essay. I appreciate you!
The clouds are absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your art with us, and your feelings of trepidation about class even when you've been creating art for so long.
Hi Bridget,
Thank you so very much for your generous words about my clouds. I so appreciate it. I'm happy to share my art and openly express my fears/hesitations. No matter how many years I've been creating art, I have a feeling that my trepidations will always be there. I just must acknowledge them and then go on. Thank you for your comment.