Every painting has a story. I am either responding to something I see or expressing something I feel, or both. No matter what the source, the painting is a part of myself... my responses, my reactions. I have a friend who, knowing this, always asks, “What’s the story behind this one?” And that question always prompts me to ask myself, “Why did I paint it? “What’s the real story?” Naturally those questions lead to introspection and I come to realize the painting as a visual poem... a window into my soul... a window through which I allow others to see.
Sometimes I feel like I can step back and look at myself from the outside. As a painting develops I can look at it and say, “Wow, look at that. I didn’t expect that to happen.” and continue on in a different direction from the one I started. I have to be honest and say I truly enjoy those moments. The last painting I did pretty much developed like that. I had one theme in mind when I started and it morphed into something similar but different. It’s as if the painting leads me.
Tonight I’ll be participating in a communal painting session. It consists of a small group of artists... each painting our own thing. I love the creative atmosphere and we each take the time to comment and encourage one another. I can feel the creative energy in that room and marvel how it feeds the energy within myself.
I wondered what I might be painting when I ran across a photograph taped to a hidden canvas. It was something that interested me enough to save. I thought the rain and the wetness of it might be challenging and I had full intention of painting it one day. I figured this might be the day so put both the canvas and the photograph with my painting supplies to take with me.
Those were my thoughts as I gathered everything together last night in preparation. This morning, however, I had to smile at myself. I’m smiling because I know I won’t be painting the actual picture, but how I feel about it. Then again, the final painting may turn out not to resemble the photo at all.
This is the joy and wonder I experience in painting....the not really knowing but being open to whatever might happen.... allowing the inside to come out.... going with the flow of wherever it might lead me. This is what I truly love about painting!
I look forward to tonight’s session with joy and expectation. Can’t wait to see what happens! More to come......
