and so i wander

  • December 19, 2010

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way…things I had no words for. ~Georgia O’Keefe


and_so_i_wander
and so i wander
encaustic and mixed media
8×8 inches

This painting has a lot of meaning to me, but having trouble putting it into words. But that’s ok. Even if I had the words, sometimes it may just be better to keep it to myself.

I’ve started taking photos with my iphone of my work table of works in progress. I start almost every painting like the one that you can see partially on the right:


Work table 12/12/10
work table, 12/12/10

A cacaphonous patchwork of color. If you click on the photo it will take you to my flickr page and you can see a larger image of the beginnings of that painting. I found that just laying down shapes of color just gets me going. One of the beautiful effects of encaustic is the
way you can layer and layer, then scrape back. Or how during the act of fusing, a color long forgotten, makes an appearance again. I love
to see what pops up from a previous layer. And often, what pops up becomes inspiration. And yes, this mostly white painting of the
blackbird started that way too!

I hope everyone has been enjoying these wintery days, the preparing for celebrations and the new year ahead. I still can’t believe that it’s almost the end of 2010. This year went by like a flash. It seems like ever since I became a mother (almost 4 years ago!) time has accelerated at an alarming speed. Trying to enjoy the moment…because really that is all we ever have.

If I’m not back here before Christmas…


Happy Holidays and eat lots of cookies!!!

13 Comments

  1. I can hardly ever find words about my paintings, either. I’ve decided to stop worrying about it, and write about everything else under the sun instead. It’s loosening me up a little, so maybe some day..

    nah, probably not. lol

  2. Happy holidays to you and your family Bridgette. This is a beautiful painting — a bit of a different color palette. Thanks too for sharing the beginnings.

  3. Hey Bridgette,

    I’m really into art blogs — well, this is more like a “journal,” yes. I like how your writing and pictures convey a variety of technique and inspiration. This balance is important in an art blog, I think. Your work is cool!

    -Ashley

  4. Bridgette, I love this piece, and I love knowing that you start with random patches of color! My work often starts from something old that I’ve trashed, but that one color or shape inspires me and I start to add more layers…
    Not having the words is why we make pictures, I think…

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