After six weeks of bother and bliss, the watercolor class is over. I learned a lot about watercolor, and a good bit about myself.
I was surprised to enjoy homework and deadlines. The structure forced me to face my fears and gave me specific types of challenges to face. Now I'm on my own. Very Scary.
When 9-year old N last visited us he brought his recorder. He approaches learning to play the instrument with the exuberance of youth. Unabashed and unashamed about imperfections, he told us he practices so he can get better. I congratulated him with a hearty "Practice makes perfect." What an old hypocrite I am!
Since the class ended I have been drawing, well, a little. Drawing is my comfort zone. I'm happy to be making art after all these years of avoiding it. I may be rusty, but I know I can draw. Unfortunately, the terror of painting continues.
My ego is my enemy. I need to embrace mistakes. It is the only way to learn. In an act of faith, I took one of my drawings, inked in an outline, erased the pencil lines and proceeded to paint. The result was clumsy, but why wouldn't it be? I'm still learning. And who cares, really? Sometimes the goal is the action, not the result.
LOVELY!!! nicely done. I still love the shoe best, that one thrills me! Carry on, watercolourist, you are doing exceptional work!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about that shoe!
DeleteIf only you could see your new art work through my appreciative eyes. You inspire me, Colette.
ReplyDeleteThank you, am!
DeleteI overdid the stuff about writing fiction in the previous post. I should have added one important detail. Tangible rewards are unlikely: cash is a mirage, meaningful comment from others is sparse, errors will start emerging once the MS is in some permanent form. Thus, unless the act of writing provides its own intrinsic pleasure - that is putting down one word and following it with another - the whole exercise is futile.
ReplyDeleteI can't see why painting should differ in any significant way.
Thanks. I think you are correct.
DeleteWhat can I say? I'm running out of compliments! You may be very self-critical but I've seen a hell of a lot of art in my life and I think your paintings are very impressive.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteIt looks scrumptious. The reason I say that is those flowers smell like grape flavor. I know it's weird. Anyway your talent is showing.
ReplyDeleteYum, grapes!
DeleteThis is so beautiful, Colette. I love it. Keep painting!!
ReplyDeleteWow! That looks great! How lucky you are to have such talent! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIf only my artistic ability was worthy of entering the same room as yours, but sadly, I can barely write my name legibly. But your hesitancy is understood. I'm starting my 4th book and have re-written the first paragraph 5 times already.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely is a skill that practice perfects. I love the iris.
ReplyDeleteI'm envious. I have art anxiety that I think could use therapy but since I have more pressing issues it must be set to the sideline for the time being.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Oh well done. And this should make you so happy, what a skill.
ReplyDeleteYour watercolor is lovely and so too is your statement, "I need to embrace my mistakes". It is the only way to move on and to develop into what we want to be or do.
ReplyDeleteYour painting looks great. Thanks for the advice.
ReplyDeleteWell you didn't lie, you certainly can draw - and paint! I think watercolour is the most difficult to master of all painting techniques. This is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love it.
ReplyDeleteIt's Lovely. Enjoy the Creative Process and allow it to Feed your Soul, relax and just flow with your Natural Talent, which is evident. Don't worry about your outcome, if everyone liked it then it wouldn't be Art.
ReplyDelete