Letting Go Of Perfect . . .

"Letting Go Of Perfect" is the title of a technique article I wrote in the current issue of Somerset Studio Magazine (super exciting to be published again! )  And I felt it was also the right way to start off this post.  

For those of you who are long time followers of my blog you probably know about my perfectionist ways and longing to paint a perfect face.  Well, lately since the hurricane actually my art has shifted especially with the faces I am creating.  I was slowly becoming more messy with my backgrounds and recently have welcomed creating imperfect, messy faces like this latest journal page I am sharing today. I really love her.  I feel connected to her.  

I am never going to be an artist that can paint realism certainly not when it comes to portraits.  But what I did realize is that I want to create art that makes people feel.  I want to evoke emotion through my work.  And I don't think I need to paint a realistic face to do that.  This has opened up a whole new world for me and a new road to take with my painting. Not sure where it will take me but so far I am enjoying it.  

Sharing over at Paint Party Friday.  

Artist Seth Apter is hosting a charity auction over at his blog that will benefit those affected by Hurricane Sandy.  As a NY'er I am grateful that we made it through the storm unscathed unlike so many others who are homeless and suffering right now in this area.  You can find out more about the auction HERE.

xo 

Woman Over The Water And Another Storm . . .

Even my digital collaging seems to be morphing.  I did this new one on my iphone the other night and it felt weird to me.  Not typically what I create.  I used a beach image and the image of a woman that appeared in a recent painting.  

I have been posting art that is heading in a different direction, art possibly spun out of my hurricane angst.  I do like where it is going but I am in the stage where it still feels weird.  But then again since the devastation going on all around us up here in the Northeast thanks to Sandy I don't feel right at all.  Spiritually speaking I am a sponge.  All of the energy going on around me affects me deeply.  I need to block it sometimes.  I have been weepy and anxious.  I suppose that is evident in my latest pieces.  

We are expecting a Nor easter on Wednesday.  More wind, rain, and potential damage.  Another thing that is out of our control.  I only hope that those who are already suffering from Sandy will be ok as we get hit once again. . . 

Eye Of The Storm . . .

"the eye of the storm"

"mixed media on 9x12 watercolor paper"

I am happy to be back online tonite and have power at home.  More than that I am grateful that everyone I love is safe.  Hurricane Sandy devastated NY as well as most of the east coast.  Part of the city I love is under water.  A close friend of mine is homeless as the house she was renting across from the Hudson River was destroyed by the storm.  

Its times like these when you realize just how lucky you are and just how much we take for granted.  You realize what is most important.  And then you can't help but wonder . . . why was I spared?  Luckily we only lost power for 3 days and thankfully we have a generator.  I was able to keep in touch with people via my iPhone on facebook and texting.  

What I was surprised at was how much painting I did over the past few days.  Maybe it was the anxiety over the storm.  I suppose I was inspired by a hurricane.  The piece above appears to be kind of evidence of that to me.  

I used watercolor crayons, gesso, and my hands to create it.  Messy as it is oddly enough this piece is the type of art I long to create.   It just spilled out of me onto the paper and I loved every minute of creating it.   

My heart goes out to those suffering from this horrific storm.  I hope my dear blog friends that all of you are safe . . .

xo