Drawing the foundation

“Sometimes I think there is nothing so delightful as drawing.”

— Vincent van Gogh

I've finished the drawings (step one) for my next series of small paintings. With a simple HB pencil I'm sketching a story on canvas… I love this part of the process. 

It's as if I'm a conduit bringing the vision from my mind's eye, through my arm, into my hand, and out through the pencil onto canvas. Drawing helps me really connect to what I'm creating in a tangible way.

The drawing is the artist's signature... Each line and shape expresses the essence of the vision and is unique to each artist. This is why I draw freehand... no grids, no tracing... I allow my hand to interpret what my mind sees.

It's also very therapeutic. When I'm drawing I'm in a meditative state… I’m "in the zone" where time disappears, worries fade away... Nothing else really matters than this moment. 

And in a practical sense, drawing is the foundation of the painting where I map it all out. If the painting were a person, the drawing would be the bones. This is step one in my painting process.

In the next step I'll begin painting in tones of grey and defining the shapes (this would be the muscles of the person!) and slowly begin to bring the painting and vision to life...

“…and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?”

— Vincent van Gogh

Creativity and Happiness

I’m working on a large new painting and just beginning the drawing process. A large painting like this will take weeks to complete, but when I put pencil to canvas I start to lose myself in my work… I move into a state of “flow” where time disappears… And I’m one with the process of creation itself.

The outside world with all it’s timelines, deadlines and pressures disappear. In the moment they don’t matter.

Having a creative activity, or any activity that puts you in this state of flow, brings meaning to life from the activity itself. You feel happy.

We use our skills with the belief that the outcome is the reward. We get paid for our work… A job well done.

But then, the more money we make does not necessarily make us any more happy. The true reward for the work we do comes from being in this state of flow… Where the reward is not in the outcome, but in the happy and positive feelings that are generated by the activity itself.

So as I sit back and look at these new lines I’m putting on canvas, I feel this happiness... There’s a sense of eager anticipation, for what I’m creating, but at the same time a feeling of contentment.

Because in the moment, this is all that matters...

Hope for the flowers...

Flowers as Muse

I’m in love with colour and all things beautiful...

And a flower represents the very essence of beauty.

Flowers lift my spirit and make my heart sing!

A flower has its own unique character and personality,

(This is what I paint).

And there's a story in each painting.

With colour and shape the characters are created on canvas,

Then the painting takes on a life of its own...

I'm starting a new little flower painting. Here's a video of the very beginning... Mapping out the details:

In the beginning there was Art...

“I sometimes think there is nothing so delightful as drawing. ”

— Vincent van Gogh

For me, art in its truest and simplest form begins with pencil on paper. A drawing begins the outline for a greater vision...

And just as my paintings begin with a simple sketch, what I want to create in my life begins with art. 

Creating art is my foundation. It is the wellspring for everything else in my life. This business would not exist without it.

I could exist... But what is existence without essence?

Practicing Commitment

Making a painting is a lot like a relationship. It’s a commitment.

Little paintings, like short relationships, are good practice and you get to experience the thrill of completion a little sooner... But a BIG painting is a long-term commitment. It takes more time, dedication and determination.

Like any relationship, there are many stages to creating a painting.

I start each painting with a drawing on canvas. It’s the beginning of our relationship... I’m getting to know it.

In the second stage I add a layer of grey paint as a tonal study. The painting is becoming more solid and real... and all kinds of surprises are showing up! Interesting shapes and characters are appearing... it’s fun and playful!

The third stage involves adding layers of colour. Now it becomes more serious... I must keep my vision clear and focused, especially as I go through the ugly phase. This is when doubts can show up...

It's time to listen to my painting. It tells me where it wants to go...

Sometimes it takes a complete change of direction than what I expected... so it’s important to be flexible.

I need to give it continued attention now... if I leave it too long it’s easy to lose interest and start a whole new one...

In the end, the commitment is worth it. Just like a relationship you learn a lot about yourself and a lot about life. You realize it isn’t all about the finished product... it’s about the process and loving each stage of the journey. But you need to make a commitment to experience this.

How to Un-Create

When we want something to disappear from our lives we must un-create it.

When we create something, we have a vision in our minds and an intention to create it. We dream and imagine it coming to be... we keep our attention on it. We think about it all the time... And then we take action.

So how do we un-create?

If I have something that I really don’t like (lets say a painting) and it’s on my wall and everytime I look at it I say, “Oh, I hate this painting. It’s got to go!” If I truly want it gone, then what do I do?

Do I keep looking at it saying, “I really hate this, I wish it would go!!”

I could look at it forever... just wishing it would go away... but the truth is, the more attention I give it, the more emotion I give it... the more it will remain as an ugly painting on my wall.

Here are six steps to un-create:

1. Be clear that you want this thing (person, experience) out of your life.
2. Make peace with it. (Thank it for being a part of your life and whatever it has given you).
3. Imagine your life without it. (Imagine it floating away... or disappearing and getting smaller and smaller.) How do you feel?
4. KNOW that it is on it’s way out.
5. Take whatever action is indicated to you.
6. Now give your attention to what you Do want.

That’s it!

Un-creating can be almost as much fun as creating... and opens the door for something new.

What do you need to let go of?...

What will you un-create today?

Back to the Drawing Board

I love drawing.

When life gets busy and rushes all around me... and I feel OVERWHELMED... I sometimes say to myself, "I think I'll go draw a picture..." It is as if I suddenly realize what really matters...

And what matters is me.

Drawing is very basic. Just me, the canvas and a pencil... pure and simple. It is quiet and personal. There really isn't much between me and the drawing. It starts with my thoughts, flows through my arm, hand, and onto the canvas. In fact, it is how I get to know my painting. I like to draw it out, getting to know all the shapes and characters... light here and dark there... I even like the sound of the scratch, scratch, scratch of the pencil on canvas. And in the background I hear the tick, tick, tick of the clock. I hear the clock but I'm oblivious to time...

It is comforting. Just me.

I love drawing...