I am back in the studio after a quick vacation to Florida to visit some of my friends. What a relaxing time, I took my son and we kayaked/swam with the manatees as well as did a lot of biking. It was amazing! - oh and we ate healthy - lots of fruit - gotta love Florida!
So, now I'm back in the studio starting all new pieces and feeling inspired by the colors of Florida. We were in the 'old Florida' section - lots of citrus, oranges, gray moss on trees etc. And yes, I'm loving the 'gray' family of colors with hints of citrus splashes. oh la la!
This image is a picture of layers underneath a now finished painting that looks totally different - so love the process of 'layering'!

"The lessons you are meant to learn are in your work . . . to see them, look at the work clearly, without judgement, without need or fear, without wishes or hopes. Without emotional expectations. As your work what i needs, not what you need. Then set aside your fears and listen . .. " quote from Art & Fear by David Bayless.

As I continue to work on this large piece, and I come to struggling points, it's this quote that I need to remember. Usually working large doesn't 'freeze' me - however this piece does and I think it's because I'm spreading my wings, getting out of my comfort zone. I'm liking the wildness of it and am having a hard time getting myself to add more layers or to 'minimalize' the energy that is in this piece.

I'm taking a short vacation and then when I get back I will see if my mind and heart are cleared before I dive back into this piece. Whoever said art was easy!

This image I just posted, however, feels strong and complete to me. It's the other large piece that I am struggling with.

My process of painting is a long one, it seems I spend as much time "taking a painting down" before I feel I can "bring it up" to a finished status. This first photo is an image of a huge piece I started (4' x 5') and I'm having a great time working on it. This is the 'take down' layers. I don't really know what I'm doing as I work on a piece, but I do have faith that it will turn into something in the end. I feel I have to destroy it and then resurrect it. All joy of the painting process. The second photo is of the same image and I'm nor sure if it's going down or coming close to a finish. I actually love the wildness/abstractness of it - however, I tend to finish my works by adding more layers until it seems cohesive, quiet and calm. This one needs more work and I know I won't be sure when it's done. Sometimes I just send those babies out there and sometimes I know for sure when they're finished. Whoever said being an artist was easy.

A new year and I am 'tinkering' with new ideas, new inspiration and a new 'love' for what I do. I feel very blessed (most of the time) to be able to do what I love, every day. At times, though, it is exhausting as I have never worked harder.
Enjoying the process of painting is just as important as loving the finished product. I think it is this excitement for creating that keeps me in the studio for long hours almost every day. Not all time in the studio is spent actually painting, though, some time is spent just 'tinkering', experimenting, reading about art, doing bookwork etc - it all adds up to a devoted art life.
I've had a couple great weeks of not painting and just hanging out for the holidays with family and now I'm ready to get back to work.