Speaking of Art Blog

Since I came home from a wonderful two-week vacation in May to Alaska (ahhh), I’ve just not felt like diving into my artwork.  Other ‘stuff’ in life has taken priority again and again.  Not good.  So how do I get back into my artwork?

In the past I’ve tried various things.  Usually just looking back at my photos from my vacation or an especially beautiful flower serves to jump start my artistic engine.  Suddenly one particular picture sparks my interest and I’m off and running to my art supplies and easel.  But not this time. 

How could I possibly encapsulate vast, gorgeous Alaska?  Nothing even compares to what I saw there.  Its hugeness alone is beyond anything I could have imagined.  I was so humbled and awestruck that I have found myself again and again looking back at my hundreds of photos, sitting mesmerized at my computer screen.

I’ve also found that the longer I DON’T get back to my artwork, the harder it gets to go back.  Maybe my self confidence starts to wane as time goes by.  I start to feel like I can’t do anything artistically.  Again, not good.

So a few days ago I was determined to somehow dive back into my art.  I was, for the millionth time, looking at my Alaska photos when one image struck me.  It was actually quite simple in composition—a quiet cove with some evergreen trees, foreground rocks, low distant mountains, and beautiful reflections in the water.  And it wasn't gigantic and overwhelming in nature like towering Mt McKinley, just a humble yet beautiful cove.  Hmm, what size piece should I go with?  I glanced at my stock of frames and there it was…..a tiny window opening on a mat already in a frame with glass, all ready for a teeny tiny piece of artwork, 3 x 4” only!  I had taken a previous tiny painting out of it to reframe the piece for a client.  Well shoot, I could do that!

It was 10:00 pm, but I started in immediately.  By midnight it was almost finished.  I went to bed dreaming about it all night.  In the morning I bounced out of bed, anxious to get back to work.  By 10:00 am I had finished it, I was still in my jammies, and had not even had breakfast yet, but I was pleased as punch. 

So had I successfully jump started my artistic engine?  You betcha!  Now I’m off and running to my next project….a sea lion in Juneau.  Moral of this story:  Next time my artistic engine is sitting in idle, I’ll grab a piece of pastel paper and think small, very very small, a do-able size even if I don't quite feel up to the task.  The inspiration will follow.

"Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down."  
---Kobi Yamada

   Quiet Inlet
   pastel
   3 x 4"