by Sue | Aug 22, 2021 | Thoughts & Reflections
Do you wake up some mornings and just feel Blah? Maybe this is common for most, I feel blessed that it’s not the case normally with me. I usually bound out of bed ready for a great day and look forward to what the world has to offer. However, when I don’t feel like this, like this morning, there are 2 ways I approach my studio. First I challenge myself to find 5 things to be thankful for. This morning there was:
- A cacophony of birds singing as we ate our breakfast on the front verandah.
- The wattle is starting to show its vibrant yellow display.
- Our new puppy settled calmly on my lap for 10 minutes.
- I have my needs met e.g. food, warmth and a good man.
- We are not in lockdown and I am of sound body and mind.
You find once you get into doing this there’s more then you realise to be thankful for. Then I face my canvases. At present I’m still caught up with my bush adventure painting and have been able to think of 40 animals to hide in my painting. This is so much fun I’m not sure I want to finish painting it. My imagination runs wild – I’m on the hike all over again with all these amazing hiding creatures around us poking their heads out to say hello.
My dad taught me to be observant so I see them and notice other wonders perhaps more than most. I was driving with my husband Russ to Parkes the other day and I asked “ do you think everyone sees all the beautiful shades, lights and colours that are all around us?” He turns to me and says, “what colours?”
I think we can all teach ourselves to see the beauty in our world. The blue wren in its brilliance, the drops of water on the leaves, the sunshine at last. Even on grey days there is beauty. Anyway I digress. To help lift me from my “blah” state I do these two things:. Be thankful, and realise there is so much to see in our great world. As an artist, I get to mimic the great Creator artist by trying to put them on canvas – how special is that. What a privilege. Enjoy your creativity today and look out and see that the world is amazing.
Sue.
by Sue | Aug 18, 2021 | Thoughts & Reflections
I’m not one who likes to redo anything. Once a painting is done I say leave it. Once a plant is planted I say let’s see how it grows. Once an action is taken I say own it. I’m not one to back away or even confess that I’m wrong about something or that it could be done better. This is not a good way to learn from your mistakes or improve your skills. A very wise picture framer once told me if I painted 356 paintings a year I’d improve immensely and I’d see in each picture how I could improve. I’m afraid Pride is an ugly green monster who affects us all.
In saying that, something happened just last week that taught me patience and perseverance in my actions. Yes I do need to change my ways sometimes. Those who know me know I’m fairly self assured, but the latest painting I’m working on has been a good learning curve.
It was a big piece half done and sitting in the corner of my studio for years. What put me off was my husband didn’t like what was already there. Anyway, I pulled it out and sat it on my easel and just looked and thought deeply. Surely something good can come from this painting even if it wasn’t what was originally intended. And then I saw a completely different story coming from the canvas. From the confusing and somewhat abstract foundation came a different narrative.
The painting now tells the story of an adventure I had recently with four great kids. We went hiking in the Conimbla National Park to a waterfall. It had ferns, wombat burrows and all sorts of life. So this painting will not only have the four kids in it climbing a rock wall with a waterfall but also all sorts of hidden creatures. I often give the children animal spotting challenges whenever we are on adventures, so it will have small creatures hiding in it – just for fun.
Anyway, all this from a dud painting. It just shows that “Grace can come from ugly things” (a paraphrased line from one of Russ’s favourite songs – “Grace” by U2). So the next time you come across a challenge or a change is needed, maybe face it with courage because something good may come. I’m so excited about getting back to my painting now.
Have a good one.
Sue
PS Keep in mind that the photo is a quick snap and the painting is not finished. Consider it a sneak preview.
by Sue | Jul 27, 2021 | Thoughts & Reflections
You may not want to know this but my husband and I have been sick. Chest colds – it’s ok we’ve been tested and it’s not Coronavirus. It is “that time of year” for the flu so it’s reasonable that at some point we will find ourselves with the sniffles. When Russ got sick we had to go into isolation and being isolated with a person for 48hrs (time for test results to get back) I was bound to get it.
The Art related result of me being sick was at 4.30am in the morning, unable to sleep, with running nose, stuffy head and cough, I got up and did a couple of paintings. You can see, if you look at them, they are possibly fever-induced.
It seems my body works differently than most. Most people when sick don’t want to get out of bed and want their partner to wait on them. Well for me, I needed to paint. You could conclude there is something seriously wrong with me – and its not just a cold.
Painting and creativity is definitely my safe” go to” place when things aren’t quite right. It sounds rather insane I know. Insanity can be very personal. Van Gogh was classed as somewhat insane. Even so, he produce some of the most brilliant paintings in history (in my humble opinion). My experience has made me wonder if our best (or in my case ‘craziest’) creativity comes when we are on the edge. I’m not advocating getting or being sick, by the way.
Consider next time you’re under the weather going to your creative space – see if that is of any medicinal worth. And if symptoms persist see your doctor. Love from your sick and slightly insane art friend Sue.
by Sue | Jul 20, 2021 | Thoughts & Reflections
Yesterday, I had my first Covid test. Not so happy about it because it’s my husband that’s sick and I haven’t had to have a test since Covid reached our fair lands. It also put a big spanner in my weekly routine, which is very tight at the best of times.
Anyway, I got up to do my pyjama painting this morning and being in isolation just saps a person’s enthusiasm. Why get dressed at all, why not just watch TV and eat chocolate all day. I understand completely for those in full lock down for weeks how depressing this would be. And I’m not easily depressed. So I sat at my easel and looked at my new work and also contemplated my just finished work. There has to be a way out of isolation that doesn’t break the law, I thought. And yes I found it. Some deal with isolation with drink, or binge watching series episodes or lose themselves on facebook. That’s Ok, but not me.
I decided that looking into my paintings would help me escape. So yesterday’s painting was of Canowindra from the South side of the Belubula River – looking over the town from near the Swinging Bridge. There are people on the bridge, there’s a bloke fishing and people out for a walk. All being Covid safe of course. There are rabbits, roos and a Kookaburra as well. What’s going on? I ask myself. Is that the Kookaburra I raised and released? What are those people doing? There is a whole story going on just in one painting.
This morning’s painting is of sheep grazing under a Gum tree. How do you make sheep look content? These are fat sheep and one is mesmerized by its reflection in the creek. Thus the name “ The other Ewe” what fun to think about the life of a sheep. Do they think at all – I was raised on a sheep farm and I do wonder at the thinking capacity of the humble sheep.
Well there you have it. How to lose yourself in your creativity. If it’s a paper flower you’re making or knitting a jumper or a quilt you’re putting together. There must be a way to tap into that creative power to transport yourself outside the four walls you are legally supposed to stay in. So have a go – try to sail above the lock downs and isolation and find that colourful and creative world of your own.
God Bless
Sue
by Sue | Apr 30, 2021 | Thoughts & Reflections
A few months ago I realised I wasn’t getting to paint at all. For me this is like not watering a plant. The plant doesn’t get replenished and starts to wither and eventually dies. I’m not dramatic (I hear my husband laugh) and will not die but the need for me to paint is very strong and I think if people cant find an outlet for their creativity it does harm them in some way. Anyway, my daughter suggested night times, which I’ve avoided due to lighting issues. Plus my body energy batteries always are at optimum in the mornings
So I’ve come up with a new plan. It’s called pyjama painting. This means getting up at 6.30 or 7am, walking into my studio in my pyjamas and start painting. I avoid looking in the kitchen or at my list of to do’s and just start painting. My cat comes in and tries to sit on my lap, which is always a tussle.
Over the last few weeks I’ve been able to get in an hour of solid painting every morning, before having to think about getting my husband breakfast (we have omelette everyday now). Once again the old adage “were there is a will there is a way” is proven true.
Even if you have to lock yourself in your art room or put a sign on your door, make it work. I know I’m saner and easier to live with when I’ve expressed myself on the canvas. My mind constantly bustles with new ideas. With approximately 12 art projects on the go at present, I’ve also started writing poetry again, which I can do at night.
Anyway, to all you creators out there: Stop it with the excuses and find a way to create even if it’s for just 10 minutes a day. It’s a bit like connecting with your creator and the earth – you will find yourself replenished and more whole.
God Bless love
from Sue
