The past few weeks I have had several deadlines all fall in the same time period. So I have been busy getting paintings shipped, framed, installing, as well as getting paintings finished up. I still have one more to go, but I did have a bit of breathing room the past few days. So I decided that I wanted to paint something that I wanted to paint and not do what was on my to-do list. Well, actually, the first thing I did was to bake cinnamon rolls. Baking is always my first thing I turn to when I want to make something. I always say to my my kids when we first bite into something delicious- I should have been a baker!
My 12 year old had been asking me to set up a still life in my studio that we could paint together. Earlier this week we set up one of my handmade teapots I made in high school with a couple of slices of oranges. She drew with colored pencils and I pulled out my oils and a pad of specially prepared paper for oil painting. I have had it for several years, but have never even used one sheet!
It’s funny to think that this still life painting is my rebellion painting.
I’ve mentioned before, that painting still life and even of the painting I did of the barn recently, are so relaxing for me. With my mixed media pieces there is more of a tension in the creative process. More elements I’m dealing with- thinking about composition, metaphors, etc. etc. It is much more conscious effort, is the best way to put it. The paintings where I’m looking at something and painting it, a different part of my brain is activated that takes over, I guess.
So every once in a while I just like to set up, let that part of my brain take over and get lost in the process.
Back to the studio this morning where I’ll tackle more of my to-do list. I’m almost there!