Painting is a healing art. I would put it in the same category with ointments and salves. Anyone wanting more peace in their lives should take up painting. I’m excited to share my paintings with you.
Teddy Bears make fabulous artist’s models. They are so patient. They’ll sit there in the same pose for hours and never complain. In fact, they seem to enjoy it. They don’t need to fuss with their hair or makeup and seldom ask for a glass of water. They never make comments about how the painting isn’t a good likeness or their eyes are too close together.
Teddy Bears make wonderful family members. First of all, they don’t judge. They never leave their stuff strewn about the house. They’re good listeners and they always have plenty of time when you need to talk. They don’t talk behind your back. Or if they do…..they’re very discrete about it.
When others rush off to prior commitments just when you have a few minutes to sit down and watch The Good Wife on TV, Teddy Bears are always companionable and willing to cuddle up on the couch. And then there’s my husband. He’s the biggest Teddy Bear of them all.
The only problem is that after a while, even Teddy Bears yearn for the rowdy, hustle and bustle, of family life. The running in and out of the doors, the car and the dialogue at the fridge…..”isn’t there any orange juice?”
Joseph Raffael told a story about his daughter coming into his studio while he was looking at pictures he’d taken trying to choose the subject of his next painting. She told him she was sick of water lilies and asked when he was going to paint something else.
He let her choose his next subject. It was a rose. He had taken pictures of roses for years but since “men” didn’t paint roses, he never had. He said “it’s one thing to paint water lilies, they’re symbols–transcendental–metaphysical–but how could I paint a rose”.
He painted the picture she chose and now it’s one of his favorites. Then he commented: “the point is that, in order for me to be my whole self as an artist and as a person, I have to open up those parts that are most vulnerable”.
I recently attended a CEO Space Conference with my husband expecting a two week vacation in the sun while he networked with other business people.
But…..I spent every meal with 6-7 other entrepreneurs and a faculty member and lasted 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The focus was on cooperating rather than competing and helping each one of us crystallize our purpose and formulate specific steps to achieve our goals.
The whole process was a giant wake up call for me. In the beginning, I couldn’t even articulate what I wanted. I didn’t know what I wanted. How sad is that? As I soul searched through the first days…..imagine spending six hours a day with coaches and mentors eager to help you find yourself, not your facade but your real self. Then, between meals were hours of workshops and seminars.
I kept looking around the different venues, at all of the accomplished people around me, feeling alone. Feeling less. But, as I made friends and heard others’ stories, I realized we were all the same. Yes, some of us were more composed and confident at the moment. But, life has a way of presenting ups and downs…..challenges and solutions.
At the graduation ceremony , Berny Dohrmann, the CEO and Chairman, thanked us for being vulnerable! I sat there for a moment, struck by that statement and realized that’s what had happened. He had created an environment that was safe and all inclusive as well as stimulating…..energizing. Creativity blossomed all around me. This large group of people had let down their barriers and become vulnerable to one another. It was amazing! I felt amazing!
That experience is why I’m blogging…..why I’m painting again. That’s why you’re seeing my paintings on my blog. That’s why I’m loving life again. The message I received and the message I pass along to you is “be real, be you, be vulnerable.”
In the late summer this year, the days were still in the 80’s. The night temperatures would plummet and signal to the trees that is was time to think about dropping their leaves. I watched. I took pictures. It was impossible not to.
As the breeze made the leaves flutter, I couldn’t decide what intrigued me more, the branches lifting and swaying or the shadows…..constantly changing in a soft, lazy way.
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!
