Friday, July 13, 2012

Watermelon Sherbet, Leaves X5 and Ideas

Leaves X5
encaustic and paper on birch 9x12
I have this idea in my head that I want to paint a large tree and have the leaves be made of paper scraps and photographs.  I don't really know exactly how it will come together but its in there, in my brain, sitting and waiting to be born into a painting.  Ideas like this just come.  Sometimes they are action items and I know exactly what it is I need to paint and how to go about it.  Other times, its a thought that just keeps turning over and growing a bit here and there.  It wanders around in the corners of my mind and keeps popping up and asks to be acknowledged.  Then it goes away and grows some more.  Most of the time with these kinds of thoughts, there is no "ta da" moment where I see the whole picture.  Sometimes I just play around with the idea and see where it takes me.  The process of playing seems to help these kinds of ideas.  By not having an agenda, I can just let myself play.  I really don't do this enough.  I get a little bent on the idea that I have to make something that is worthy (whatever that means).  The art of playing allows us to create badly and just have fun with it - fun with the artful process.  Play time is about finding the little things that work and we can then build upon their foundation.  Play time = Happy time. 
An artist friend told me that she is often asked how long it takes her to paint a painting.  She says "the process itself takes about an hour and half - but really this painting took me 30 years plus and hour and a half".  I love that answer, because it is so true.  Sometimes we just have to think about an idea and let it churn around, growing and taking shape into what it is meant to be.  I'm not really sure that I have this idea of mine at a point at which I am happy.  I love the process of making the leaves and I love them individually, but I 'm not sure yet.  I feel they need a little more sophistication for what I am envisioning.   This idea needs more time to grow and take shape.  I'll send it back to ponder some more. 
Its the final week over at Summer Of Color2.  This is the last challenge - Watermelon Sherbet.   Its been a wonderful event.  Many thanks to Kristin over at Twinkle, Twinkle for hosting this fun summer challenge.  Happy Paint Party Friday everyone!

29 comments:

  1. I love ti! I totally understand the internal stumbling block of "making something worthy". I think I will have some play-time myself today. I love that quote from your friend:"the process itself takes about an hour and half - but really this painting took me 30 years plus and hour and a half".

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  2. I love it too!....what a great idea and so successful :)

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  3. Leaves are one of my favorite subjects. I love the shapes, lines, colors, textures..everything about them. I love what you're doing here. I know what you mean about feeling a work has to be worthy. I tend to get sidetracked by playing around and dabbling a lot, having a lot of fun, but then feeling like I need to be thinking more about what I want my result to be. I'm sure your tree is going to be fabulous.

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  4. what a great idea! I love it that you have different mediums going on to, I hope you do it!

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  5. Lovely creation ~ they would make a fantastic tree ~~ ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)

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  6. I so understand how an idea starts as a seed, then slowly grows, seeminly on it's own but with some encouragement. I find you can't force it... Love your "watermelon" piece - you captured that juicy watermelon color so perfectly!

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  7. Thats the beauty part about Art..you can just play till it looks right. Loved the comment about taking 30 years to paint. I have heard that too. I forget it but should remember. Well done and I am sure you will figure out the rest. Happy PPF. Thanks for your comment.

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  8. I love what you wrote. I don't play enough and I need to. It would be fun plus I bet I could really learn a lot about myself as a person and an artist. This piece is lovely.

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  9. Excellent idea. Well done painting. Very creative. Happy PPF!

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  10. love the newsprint against the bold red and stark black!

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  11. Es maravillosa esa idea que dices que te ha ido rondando y que has plasmado en forma de pétalos de sandia preciosos.

    Un saludo

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  12. I hope I'm around when you present your tree in it's entirety!! I love love love these leaves!! I can only imagine what a gorgeous piece in completion! I love playing in my sketchbook, but doing a canvas is my glory and yes it takes time and thought!

    Hugs Giggles

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  13. I love your friend's answer to how long it takes to make a painting! Very true!
    And your leaves x 5 painting is so beautiful with it's palette and patterns, repetition and variety!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  14. I like this piece very much...it could be done in fabrics...it's beautiful in paint. HPPF!

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  15. Good work, balanced in composition and colour. Saludos

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  16. The summer of colour has been great fun and in a way I am sorry to see it end, but then I will have the chance to get to all sorts of things which have been building up over the 6 weeks... I think this is my favourite for the whole 6 weeks from your work... it is really special..xx

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  17. the leaves are beautiful. . . the post worth printing and re-reading often. most of us keep asking is it worthy of sharing? oy, its about the journey, process and joy of doing! I wish I remembered that more often.
    cheers, dana

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  18. 30 years plus an hour and half...what a perfect answer to that question. I really like the idea of a tree with the leaves as different papers and photos. That would be amazing. I can imagine it being a really huge canvas.

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  19. I love this! You are one of my favorite encaustic artists! Thanks for sharing the 30 years + an hour for how long- it is so true!

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  20. Beautiful work - those leaves are just perfect - I love everything about it!

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  21. Loving your wonderful work. Annette x

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  22. Love your take on the challenge. :) Gorgeous!

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  23. Beautiful artwork - I really like the tone of this piece.

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  24. Beatiful art work Marji. Love the beautiful leaves. Great
    lovely greet
    Marja
    (marjascreativity)

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  25. As you were describing your thoughts of the tree and leaves I had an idea that you are welcome to use if you like it. Once the tree trunk is drawn, you cut lots of leaves from your favorite papers, raise them over your painting and then drop them. Glue them down where they fall. Then the rest is magic.

    I love your Leaves x 5, it works for me.

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  26. GORGEOUS art!. Loving the colors and the collage. Hugs.

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