For those who know how to paint but
aren’t painting because they're too busy. Or for those who want to learn to paint
and the most interesting group, those who think they know how to paint,
but haven’t been brave enough to try. There’s also those who did try but
didn’t like what they saw and gave up. Bad. Very naughty group. Don’t ever give
up!! Perhaps someone laughed, or you yourself became overly critical. We can be
so hard on ourselves. I know this from experience. Whether singing on a stage
or writing poetry, we need to lighten up and try again. Rework, repaint,
restore, rewrite, edit, renew, decorate!
This reminds me of a wobbly bench my
husband made for my mother. He had never taken wood-shop but attempted to make a
simple bench from used pine, adorning it with green paint and red tulips.
Though the bench was weak and not a safe place to sit, mother loved it, proudly
placing it outside her front door. I think it made a great place for potted
plants. As time went on, it took on a country-style patina and looked even
better before finally falling apart. It really was a cute bench and it was certainly
artistic.
How do you define art? Of course,
there’s a basic way to hold a brush and some elementary fundamentals about
mixing colors but let’s say you don't understand all of the hundreds of
technical aspects but want to do it anyway. Who will stop you and who would
dare say your completed creation is not art? (Do not listen to bratty older
sisters and brothers because they were born to intentionally give you a hard
time about everything.) Do you only like paintings that look like photographs
or do you enjoy cubism, impressionism and pointillism?
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| By Miro |
How about getting in
touch with your own version of shabby-chic such as the aforementioned bench? There
are many, many variations on a theme and multiple canvases waiting for your
perspective. Before I wrote this post, I saw a website dedicated to a painter
who paints on the ends of logs. They were gorgeous and inspiring. Speaking of
inspiring, one site I visit often is March House Books which highlights children’s
book illustrators and painters. Have you seen those paintings on old saw
blades? I have a relative (through marriage) who paints on silk. She's amazingly talented and becoming famous in her own country. Even I tried to paint desert landscapes onto rocks for paperweights and
while I wouldn’t say I’m horrible, I prefer writing to painting.
The point is, you should invest in the paint
and be the artist you were meant to be. Best of all there’s no such thing as “perfect.” Find time to create artwork part-time and share it online, so the world can see and benefit
from your unique vision. We are waiting to see through your eyes. When can we see your work?
