General

Confession: In January I was in a bit of a slump with my art. I just didn’t feel motivated or interested like I usually am.
My art mentor Marianne helped me understand that feeling creative blocks is normal for artists, and that winter may have something to do with it.
This is certainly something I’ve seen with my clients and friends. We can feel an undeniable pull to rest and retreat during the dark days of winter, and in any other season as well. The problem comes when we make ourselves wrong and freak out about it. I accepted Marianne’s reminder and released the pressure on myself.
Finally, inspiration returned and I went back to the studio. Around Valentine’s Day I decided to do 30 paintings before my travel schedule heats up on March 13th. 30 paintings in 30 days.
Unexpected boons from fallow time
When I went back to my paintings, I was amazed to see that the quality of my work had taken a quantum leap. (Okay, maybe not quantum, but definitely discernible.)

I’m focused on a few key elements of painting. When I pinned my paintings up for review, Marianne noticed the improvement immediately. She pointed out how important that fallow period is for people who create. I know this intellectually, that writer’s block isn’t always bad. But to experience the beneficial impact of it personally was profound.
I was happy that the improvement was evident to her. It was also clear that there is still plenty to work on. In our session yesterday, I got a lot of good homework. Some old challenges – perspective and some new ones – shadow and light.
I felt a slight twinge from showing work that’s not 100% great. But only slight. I like sharing my art here with all its glory and imperfection. I love working to improve and seeing improvement. My hope is that seeing my creative process in action inspires you to reach toward your own creative expression.
I’ve got my homework for the month. I’ve completed 16 out of 30 paintings. Two weeks to do 14 more! I am not sure I can do it, but I will give it my best try.
Has this happened to you? An unexpected boon following a creatively fallow time? Tell us about it!

For awhile, it was one of those potentially regrettable yard sale finds. A jar of matches from the ’70s? Really? Even if it was only $1.00, isn’t that just adding to the clutter?
One night I took the jar from the shelf to show it to a friend. We pulled out packet after packet of matches, most from Denver, but some from as far away as Tokyo.
I felt compelled to draw and paint them. It’s a fun study in design, typography and tiny style. I love the boxed ones especially. I know they’re a collection that I should be preserving, but I take great pleasure in using the matches inside.

Why do we love what we love? I don’t know. I am just happy to be able to love things more because of and through my art.
 

To love what I love, and to share that love. That is my mission.
When I think about why I make art, it’s because I love the process and I love depicting things in my world that make me happy.
Like these tins from Mariage Freres in Paris. I just finished the tea inside, and look forward to refilling them on my next trip to Paris.
Painting them was a way to savor the memories of the tea and to anticipate a trip to Paris.
Happy Valentine’s Day – may this be a time to pause and connect with what you love. 

This painting will be sent to one of the members in my Write Your Paris Stories class. The next five people who sign up will also get a Paris painting by me.