Monday, June 25, 2012

Paintings, Butterflies and Life.

So where have I been ... well that is an a loaded question because the answer far surpasses the attention of most blog readers! 
Life suddenly got busy, and rather then sit back and watch I took the wave and have been riding it ever since. 
Here is a brief summary:
  • Interpreting career has been very full, challenging and rewarding
  • Finished one art e-course and then started taking another
  • Finished my 3rd commission and have 4 and 5 lined up already
  • Celebrated Hubbies 40th birthday with a big bash
  • Will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary on Tuesday
I always feel so honored and blessed when I am asked to paint something for someone, but those requests aren't void of trials and tribulations.
Its one thing to paint from your soul, its another to paint from your brain. I feel less of the "joy" when painting a commission as I become so engulfed in the process. Suddenly "perfection" takes center stage and I am merely a lost shadow. 
I lose site of the goal. When I am approached it is because MY style has captured the eye of another; remembering that, I finally let go of form and embrace what I know and love. I grow and become whole again. 

Just when the Caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. 

I am not a lover of symmetry, so butterfly wings were hard to achieve at first. This is actually the 4th butterfly and to arrive at this,  I had to consult a repeating dream I had been having. 
I had dreamed  that I was in an art class and rather then focus on balance the teacher wanted symmetry. I felt stuck and would get yelled at for not following the rules. No matter how nice my painting looked it was never good enough. In my dream I teach myself to become ambidextrous and draw each outline of my paintings with two hands so each half would be the mirror of the other. 
In reality, I am right-handed. My left hand has very little responsibility and lacks confidence. 
Feeling desperate I grab two pieces of white pastel and in one fluid motion my two hands work as one. In seconds I had the shape I was after and that was all it took! Who knew such a feat was possible?

I love wrapping the images around the sides of my canvases.

I am anxious to try this technique again in future paintings to see how it works for my faces!


Since the painting has been completed I have had NUMEROUS encounters
with butterflies, to the point of freaky.


I have had them land on the windshield while in the car at a stop light.
Nearly ran over them while they lie on the road in front of 
my drive way.
The most freakish was when I was walking along a wall of windows
down a hall way at a building I was working. 
The butterfly in a lovely outdoor atrium was following me the whole walk
down and just as I was about to turn the corner
the butterfly repeatedly flew into the glass making an audible noise!
I was so surprised that I stopped and walked toward the window
at which time the butterfly relaxed and landed on the window sill.
I was stunned and took two pictures. One was a shot of a calm creature
the second was a much more curious creature as it tilted its body upward to look
right at me!  Some day I may share those:)

At the same time the painted butterfly was taking transformation I had started to hang out with a new friend ... kinda weird. The butterfly has many symbolic meanings, but "soul" is one that comes to mind. I feel like I have known this person (newer friend) for a long time and that is rather cool ... We both just "get it",  everyone should have a friend like that. :)

I hope all of you wonderful readers are doing well, leave a message and say HI :)










  

9 comments:

  1. I've only done two commissions and both for the same person but I know what you mean. I am trying to grow my nails after being a lifelong chomper and believe me it just ain't happening throughout that whole process and then the waiting on the 'verdict'. ;) Good tip to remember that that person asked ME for MY style. Really good tip.

    Loved your butterfly story - both your dream and your experience. As for your friend, I've been lucky to meet a couple of people like that through my blog - just a damn shame they live so flipping far away!

    Love your art work as always :)

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    1. Thanks for the lovely comment. I have been astounded that people like my work as much as they do, I have only now JUST been painting for one year. I know what you mean about distance, I have meet some great friends via art, but that distance thing is certainly a factor :)

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  2. Whomever commissioned this painting is lucky to get it! It's beautiful. I too love the way you got past your symmetry hurdle. Such a creative and intuitive approach

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  3. Loved your story and the piece - always nicer when you know the story --- your buyer must be delighted with it....

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  4. Your butterfly is amazing! Your client should be overjoyed!

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  5. Lovely storytelling. Lovely painting. Thank you for sharing.

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  6. Thank you all for the wonderful comments!

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  7. Loved the painting, drawn to the butterfly story since I have also experienced an amazing abundance of butterflies this year. I was A few months ago I was sitting out in the sun reading a very spiritual book, which just happened to have a butterfly on the cover. I finished the book and thought I should really get in the studio to start a new HUGE painting, which I had been putting off forever. As I went into the house, a butterfly was fluttering on a window screen, attempting to get out. I thought " that's odd, it's much too early for butterfly season" but I removed the screen to let it out. A minute later, it was back on the screen outside of the screen fluttering, then gone, then back again, then gone. I finally went outside to see what it was doing, and it flew right up to land on the window of my studio.
    I figured it was a message to release the fear of beginning the painting, so I went up , unwrapped the canvas and stared at it. My vision for this painting had been planned for months, but I was so unsure about where to begin. I knew it was going to be an angel figure, and as I stood in front of it and put my hands on my hips to ponder, MY shadow was a perfect outline on the canvas! All I had to do was raise my arms and pencil MYSELF!!! I got goosebumps it was such a powerful lesson in conquering fear. From a little butterfly.
    I'm sorry this is such a long post, but I have to share it with those who can relate...
    xoxoxo Lori

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  8. Your paintings are very dreamy and magical. Beautiful work.

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Penny for your thoughts ... leave a comment, I would love to hear from you!