Riding the Wave

Art is standing with one hand extended into the universe and one hand extended into the world, and letting ourselves be a conduit for passing energy. - Unknown

Lily, oil paint on linen, 16"x12", private collection Norwalk Ct

Intuitive action drives my artistic process. I pick up a brush or piece of charcoal and start, even though I can't see exactly where I'm going.

For this approach to work, I have to be open. Trying to steer or control the process stops me from really seeing what is emerging and what is needed next.

Carmine e Gino, oil paint on canvas, 22"x30", private collection Dunedin FL

Even if a painting is essentially a copy of a photo, I have to give it space to become what it wants to be.

Coneflower sketch, charcoal on canvas, 34”x48”

That holds true for this mural. At each point of developing the design, I've drawn a fresh take on the flowers, enlarging but also slightly altering them. Not being attached to my original images leaves room for the flowers to grow. Now, even though I'm ready to paint on the wall, I have to stay open and responsive to the progress of the work.

Here we are checking out the freshly painted blank walls and dropping off supplies at the mural site, where we were received with a warm welcome and generous offers to help us unload.
 

We'll go back tomorrow to start work. Stay tuned as we begin the next phase!

How about you? Where in your life are you giving something time and space to grow?

All the best,
Alissa