How quickly Christmas is forgotten once the sparkle's boxed up? And here's January with its promise of all things glinty-new!
I've ignored all the Brexit reports of impending doom; but, just in case, I've stashed away extra packets of rice, oatmeal and Spam - apparently these 3 last FOREVER! So everyone's store cupboard staples then? AND, I've opened the curtains before dawn and viewed unexplainable bands of mysterious lights.
But none of these has left me as unduly fearful as going into my new studio to create!
All this changed after a visit from Grandkid1, her Mum and younger brother on New Year's Day. Her immediate focus was my studio. Post-it notes divided my desk into her 'bit' and 'Granny's bit'. Then she opened her A3 sketch pad, supported it on her drawing board and enthusiastically set to work, with gusto. She took her sketch to 'her easel' (my spare field easel that folds telescopically).
'Cum'on, Granny. Do something!' she beamed.
'What shall I draw?' I asked childishly.
'ANYTHING! Artists can do anything!' she blurted with that confidence that children can sometimes astonish you with.
Her enthusiasm was not to be messed with.
Her brother did not join in the art jam. He had tasked himself with ensuring that the sliding door to the studio was constantly tested for smooth-running!
A few days later the family returned home and I had to face the scary studio alone. The idea that I could do 'anything' is a ginormous fear - like the fear of being found out to be a liar! That I can't draw for toffee!
But I settled down and focussed like a 6 year old. Now I have in a new work entitled, 'Don't Look Back'. Hopefully, I can remember how to upload it to the website.
I'm quite exhausted now that it's finished. A lot of thought and angst goes into an idea that eventually results in a pic. The mass of ideas have to be regulated and sorted - either dismissed as being too fussy, or to allow brand new ideas to be accommodated. Then decisions have to be made as to which parts of the pic are to be prominent and which are to remain more hidden. Some stuff like colour and composition come automatic to me - I kinda know them before I start. That's the easy bit.
But it's not quite as simple as transferring an idea into a pic and then colouring it in. It's not Drawing By Numbers! Big decisions are taken as the work takes shape - even to the brink of losing the very best bits! Then, at the last minute, it all comes together and is - hopefully - saved. If these sorta dilemmas never happen, then the pic very rarely satisfies me and probably hits the bin.
What I fear most is a 'so what?' pic.
I hope you liked that glimpse into my thought processes! But more than that, I hope you will like my new work. I've decided to use symbols as my theme for the next bunch of pics. I've probably lost you now - but I need a theme to corale my thoughts.
Please check out Gallery 1 in the next few days.
: )
