I had a bunch of yellow roses and a soft green spider chrysanthemum left over from Thanksgiving that kept calling my name.  I finally sat down,  sketched them and began painting.

I seem to go through the same phases every time I sketch and then every time I start a painting.  First, there is the early on excitement phase.  Every line, every stroke is anxious to get going…..mostly from loving the subject, feeling inspired.  Soon, I feel tired…..um, not really, maybe more I don’t know what I want to do next.  I get a drink, step back, “was that what I wanted?”  Then it hits me,  “yep, this is where I want to go” and I dive right back in.

Little by little, a shape here, then one there and I’m on my way.  At a certain point  the painting  takes on a life of its own.  It  calls out…..”over here”…..”notice this”.  We draw or paint along together for some time, sometimes days,  in a more sustained excitement phase.  I don’t know why;  but,  next a funny thing happens with every painting I’ve ever done.

It’s not encouraging me on any more.  I’ts actually pointing out:  “this line is too hard”,  “that shape is too heavy”,  “oops, that’s awkward”.  I get  discouraged and take a break.  Sometimes the break isn’t just a few minutes, or hours, sometimes it’s days.  Eventually,  I see what I think is a solution and start puttering around.  One thing leads to another and I’m in a rhythm again and loving life!