Day off today from the commute, but the course still continues. I have to paint my a** off in preparation for missing Monday’s class (RA infusion #2.) I have to make some extra digital drawings on my phone for the class, so maybe I will examine my surroundings while I “do the drip.” I can work off photos, so if I surreptitiously take snaps around me I can sketch off them. And use choice filters for the Benadryl haze. And the Prednisone rev. I see a series of silliness, but I’ve never really documented the process. Hmmm….this art thing is overlapping my life in a new way. Yesterday we looked at David Hockney’s iPad work and were encouraged to use the phone as an art tool more often, Not a huge fan of the small size, but with practice, who knows. Might charge up the iPad and use that instead...old but still works!
Yesterday, I painted. Painting is not my favorite medium and I resist it at every turn. I just don’t “think” in paint. Andrew insists on me learning how to do so, which is excellent as this is the kick I need to improve my skills. Back when I was first married - 93? - I spent a bunch of years working on canvas, making large paper collages then painting over them. Some were huge -- so big I had to build the stretchers in the house and then cut the painting off to move it. So, I used to paint! Funny to have returned to the same place now. I tend to paint too thinly, and crave surface texture more than anything else. Andrew suggested that whatever I want to stitch, I paint instead. Interesting concept. Makes sense as I use beads and stitch to balance out design elements and add texture, and both of these steps can be accomplished with paint. He suggested creating illusionary texture/form in places where I felt like things needed to be really dimensional, or building up the paint so that it is physically thick. I love painting textures on fabric pieces to create materials that then get cut up into shapes, to be used in a fabric collage. It is really hard for me to work in the opposite manner -- filling shapes with texture. That is a good observation for me to think about as I work today. Might have to break out the gesso and get sticky.
Once again, I realize the pure joy of being an artist. How happy being able to create a learn about creating, can be -- and how it can set a soul free. Sounds goofy, but I can’t imagine not having this escape hatch in my otherwise challenging life. Learning about art and “going deep” into its creation and process lets me walk away from it all -- the physical pain, the stress of life, love, and duty, and the never ending mundane. The past few days have been really tough for me physically, as trudging around lugging stuff and navigating stairs have taken a toll on my ankles, legs, and feet. But the artist in me feels energized and happy, with a whole menu of new approaches to try. Reinvigorated. Artistically recharged. Gaining power again. I sure hope it lasts! I notice I didn’t even mention the quality of the art I am making -- to me, this class isn’t about that at all. It is Art Camp, after all! Cheers.