From the Artist: I keep telling myself that I'm going to do all of the painting projects, but keep putting them off. I've been in a bit of a painting slump the past few months (really almost a year). I was looking around this site for some inspiration, saw July's painting project and decided that I would do something, anything to get me out of this creative funk.
I started by taking a package of unopened picture hanging wire and using it as a template. I traced around it to create numerous square shapes on the paper. I ordered painting supplies a couple of months ago, and received, as a free gift, a small set of gouache. I was thinking of what a garden might look like through many panes of glass, and was having fun with the new medium. It's not a masterpiece, but I had fun. I am so glad to be painting again. Hopefully I can keep it up.
From the Painting Guide: I'm delighted to hear that this painting project helped to get you painting again. Creative blocks happen to everyone at some stage, and it can be tough getting back on the proverbial horse. But trust in yourself, look again at older paintings of yours that you like, and believe that you will get there again.
Some people believe that you should just paint anyway, every day, regardless. This doesn't work for me, it just frustrates me. If I find myself unmotivated, or discouraged by a painting that's not going where I want it to, I tend to take a deliberate break from my easel painting and instead read one or two of the many art books I have on my shelves for "one day when I've time" and/or watch art DVDs. At some stage I invariably start finding the desire to be painting stronger than the fear that it's just not going to be right or I'm going to mess it up.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Title of a Painting: Consider how the word "garden" in the title of the painting influences the way you interpret the painting. If it'd been titled "Pigeon's view of New York", would you see it as city blocks with skyscrapers? Never forget that the painting you give a title will have an influence on the way a viewer regards it.
I started by taking a package of unopened picture hanging wire and using it as a template. I traced around it to create numerous square shapes on the paper. I ordered painting supplies a couple of months ago, and received, as a free gift, a small set of gouache. I was thinking of what a garden might look like through many panes of glass, and was having fun with the new medium. It's not a masterpiece, but I had fun. I am so glad to be painting again. Hopefully I can keep it up.
From the Painting Guide: I'm delighted to hear that this painting project helped to get you painting again. Creative blocks happen to everyone at some stage, and it can be tough getting back on the proverbial horse. But trust in yourself, look again at older paintings of yours that you like, and believe that you will get there again.
Some people believe that you should just paint anyway, every day, regardless. This doesn't work for me, it just frustrates me. If I find myself unmotivated, or discouraged by a painting that's not going where I want it to, I tend to take a deliberate break from my easel painting and instead read one or two of the many art books I have on my shelves for "one day when I've time" and/or watch art DVDs. At some stage I invariably start finding the desire to be painting stronger than the fear that it's just not going to be right or I'm going to mess it up.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Title of a Painting: Consider how the word "garden" in the title of the painting influences the way you interpret the painting. If it'd been titled "Pigeon's view of New York", would you see it as city blocks with skyscrapers? Never forget that the painting you give a title will have an influence on the way a viewer regards it.