In the mood for art

Sometimes I really feel the urge to create something moody, something that feels like a stormy sky, where light and shadow dance together, where the rain washes away the layers of doubt and fear, the feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, leaving me renewed and just little bit raw. Just a little bit more me.

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”

— Pablo Picasso

I like to approach the canvas as an opportunity to create what I'm longing for, to express dreams, feelings and desires in a tangible, visible form. And in the middle of a summer heat wave, I long for the coolness of the rain, the rustling of trees in the wind, the wet, earthy smell of the forest, the blue shadow of thundery clouds, the magical light of the sky just before the storm, the feeling of excitement, holding my breath, waiting for it to break...

So these past weeks, whenever the temperature has allowed me to climb into my third-floor, under-the-roof studio, my first impulse has been to grab my favorite tubes of Payne's Grey, light blues and white, pull out some earthy collage papers, plus my trusty spray bottle, and start covering canvases in paint, paper, ink and water. Making a wet, gooey, drippy, yummy mess...

I don't know what the finished paintings will be about. Maybe they'll remain abstract or maybe they'll turn into landscapes. Maybe they'll become backgrounds for portraits or figures, who knows?... For now, it's all about the process, the simple act of putting paint to canvas, of feeling what it feels like in the present moment.

And it feels really good.

Come along!

I love to share my artist journey, and my hope is that inspires you to embrace your own creative life. Below are some ways to follow me on this beautiful path, from daily sneak peeks on Instagram to thought-provoking blog posts and in-depth art lessons. You'll also find me on Facebook.

I'd love for you to come along!