I did this because I wanted to do something to snap me out of a dark place. Someone close to me is very sick and I'm having a tough time trusting in a positive outcome. So I create. It's not high art, but the word says it all: I find joy in creating. The time spent was not much but the results were pleasing. Art can be a way to forget that the world and its problems are sometimes overwhelming and no clear resolution is coming. I have been dealing with this problem for almost fourteen years and some associated bad memories go back farther than that. This is my way of saying that I need God in my life and I need the joy he provides when I create.
I did this on a six inch by six inch piece of scratchboard. The manufacturer is Ampersand. Scratchboard is a board with white clay on it and a layer of dense black ink over top of it. I used a dental tool that I bought from ebay for the scratch technique. The lines are ragged, this is the second or third time I have tried this media. I am very happy with the results because I was able to capture what I wanted to say. The work took about fifteen or twenty minutes. For me technique and time spent are secondary to the feeling I am trying to capture. Years ago I spent up to eight hours on a drawing. Today I wanted to get the stench of the hospital off of me and just pretend that everything was going to be okay. My attempt worked. I lost an aunt many years ago and she taught me that the simplest pictures could create the greatest joy. It is not about the time or effort you put into a painting, it is about capturing the innocence of play. It is about doing something new to forget that there are things that are out of your control. Learning to love what you do is the secret. Just being happy that once, sometimes a long time ago, someone gave you a gift. The ability to laugh during a time of hardship for just a moment or two. I did sgraffito for the first time this year and I laughed the whole time I did it. Find the thing that brings you joy. The Bible calls these things the fruit of the spirit. Art is associated with my joyful, childlike spirit. God bless you during this holiday period. And always remember that you are a gift. Art is a gift. You are a gift. Thanks for your presence. Dale
Slow and easy does it. At first anger is often near by. Heal the pain of experiencing pain. FAIL. Each letter in FAIL is a word. First. Attempt. In. Learning. You are learning and not failing. Someone named Corita Kent said there is no right or wrong. NO MISTAKE. There is no success or failure. There is only MAKE. Early efforts will be the most pleasing as you begin to heal from being sad and hurt in your first efforts.
ReplyDeleteThanks. At times I get scared as I step up and move forward. It is so daunting, so discouraging! The what-ifs.
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