Progress Report
Please note: this and previous posts were affected by a recent upgrade of my blog software. I had a mishap that caused me to lose all of my images, so I’ll be updating these soon!
It’s hard to believe that May has come and passed already. So far, May is my favorite month in Portland because we’ve had such terrific weather. Everything is in bloom and my daily walks are punctuated by the fragrance of flowers, warm sun and cool breezes. Looks like it’ll be a hot summer, but I love these long days. (Above, Dendritic Self-Portrait).
I’ve been more joyful in the past few weeks than I can ever remember. Must have something to do with the fact that I am finally painting again! For me, this is the key to everything… it’s what makes me tick. Occasionally, I have days that I simply cannot face the studio because I’m in unfamiliar territory. I’m not quite certain what I’m doing. On my better days, I give in to this uncertainty, and just let things flow in whatever direction my intuition dictates from moment to moment. Playing with the background is the most liberating aspect, as I am freely pouring, sponging, dripping and rolling paint. I find that I’m not completely satisfied with a pretty abstraction, though. I need images to feel that the work “says” something. So I dig out my oil paints and start painting images above my abstract backgrounds. The work starts to slow down at this point. It has a different rhythm than working with acrylics. It feels deeper, more meditative. I like the idea of combining these two ways of working… beginning with spontaneous explorations, then digging in to something more reflective and meditative. I’ve decided I need both ways of working to feel balanced in my expression.
Gee, I don’t know how I stumbled across your web site. But I love your work ! I am here looking at each piece studying it. It is a fresh quench to my thirst for something healing, peaceful, beautiful for my mind & soul.
I did read some blog, and chuckled at the viagra spamers. But was truely drawn to your thoughts, and honesty, and your interest in nature and connecting the soul to the whole of it all, instead of a narrowed corner.
Bravo !