A Work in progress
There is a wonder in the plan of a thing. A spark of an idea, then the preparation of what needs to be in place before the idea can come to fruition. The germination of a seed that can only happen under right conditions. The soil that needs to be turned, weeded, mulched and fed to be the best environment to birth the new seedling into a prospering plant.
So it is with a project, a creative idea, a new business. A photo, a visit to a beautiful spot can spark something inside us, igniting neutrons in the brain.
Canvas or paper, acrylic or oil? Oil being the desired medium, not used for a long time, will need to be investigated. Brushes, turpentine, linseed oil and tubes of paint long ago forgotten, laid aside for quick drying acrylic. Will the lids even come off? Will the paint be dried up inside? A vast array of colours, Windsor Green, Cadmium Red, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Ultramarine, Titanium White and so many more, were hiding there for me to rediscover. What joy! While many of the lids needed pliers to coerce them from their steadfast glug of dried paint, they all were ready to use. How exciting is this?
A fresh canvas on the easel, the subject above, the first tentative pencil sketch to get my bearings and the delicious oozing as the first squeeze of colour appears on my palette. Shaking the rust off my mind, the first sweep of Phthalo Blue with a tinge of Titanium White blocks in the under colour of the stormy sky. Oh wow, this is scary and exciting all rolled into one. It has been so long since oil was my medium. “Where have you been?” This is amazing, the best fun. How could one forget something so tangible and pleasurable. That oils take so long to dry, their malleability is exceptional.
There is some more rust removal required and like an athlete needs to practice and practice to build up muscle memory, tenacity and drive, so the need for stretching and practicing the eye muscles to get it right and to get it wrong and try something new, is required. No complaints here. Practice is great fun and hard work, but oh so pleasurable.
Energy flows from doing things we really love. Whether that be cooking, reading, gardening, singing, playing a musical instrument, walking, cycling, calculating figures, working with wood, driving, hiking, your job; caring for others, connecting with friends and or family. When we are flowing in what we love to do, it is revitalising, energising and brings joy to the soul.
This week’s blog finishes with a challenge, one I have presented before. What do you love doing? What energises you? Do you get much time to do the things you love? How could you factor time into your week to make time for something you love to do?
Is a plan brewing, a neglected project or a new idea sparking in your mind right now? To quote a well known brand "Just do it".
PS The artwork above, is unfinished. Like me, it is a work in progress.
