Daily Paint

"Abstract Landscape VI" (a study) - acrylic and ink on aquabord, 6" x 6"

The Daily Paint-A-Thon continues today with another small landscape study, this one inspired by a fiery sunset over water.   I am still in groovy-land over these re-inkers on aquabord, and am contemplating a larger piece in this series.  Hmmm.  

Today I spent some time re-reading one of my very favorite tiny books.  You know, the kind of book you can read in an hour, but leaves you thinking and thinking and thinking?  Making Your Life As An Artist by Andrew Simonet is just such a book. I've dog-eared 90% of the pages, scribbled in the margins and highlighted most of the text. For creative people, this is THE BOOK!  He understands the insides of an artist, and how to talk to creatives and make them smack their heads and say "DUH!" because his wisdom is so obvious!  One of my favorite quotes is "Protect the wildness of your art practice."  Oooooh, I get giddy just typing those words.  

There is wildness in making art.  Some days it feels like a huge adventure to unexplored wilderness - very exciting, and also very frightening.  So much risk.  So many predators.  So much randomness and so many elements out of my control.  But also so untamed and beautiful.  

How do we protect the wildness of our art practice?  For me, it means pushing boundaries.  Trying things I have no experience with or knowledge of.  Pushing past what I did last week (month, year) into something new.  Playing with colors I despise (just to find out I really love them) and letting go of some things which just can't be tamed (like my watercolors.  They have a mind of their own, and I just go with that.)  It also means painting angry. Painting sad.  Painting ecstatic.  Painting bored.  Accepting challenges, even if they seem daunting.  One sage advisor suggested painting naked (which I have promised myself to do one day - watch out, family!)  

But just the thought of my practice having wildness makes me catch my breath.  Even here, in this place of exploration, thoughts matter.  I'll be making a new sign for my studio door.  This one will read " WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE".  

​Through November 30th,  bring home a little wildness!   Take 30% off at the etsy store with code GOODMOJO30. 

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