Knockin' The Rust Off!

12:57 PM

I was quite shocked to see January 15th on the calendar already!!! Geez, Louise, could we slow down just a tiny bit, please?! As I sat pondering how we've already whizzed through 15 days of this scrumptious new year, it dawned on me that I have not painted, sketched or drawn since before Christmas, waaaaaaaay before Christmas! I know it's been 5 weeks and it may even be six! (No wonder I was getting cranky!!)

So it's time to "knock the rust off" and reteach myself which is the proper end of a paint brush, how much water to use, how to feather an edge and just in general, get moving in the art department. Again. I occasionally hear an artist talk about how much difficulty they've had getting back into art after a long period away. Almost without fail, if they're asked if they did any warming up BEFORE jumping back in, they'll shake their heads no.

Hello!! Would any professional athlete, chef, singer, or any other performer begin a game, new recipe, or performance without some practice and warm ups? Not likely! Why then, do we as artists expect to sit down to draw or paint without practice and warm ups?? That's crazymaking!! And yes, I'm guilty of doing this very thing so I'm qualified to speak. ;•)  I did this up until I started painting full time and was able to observe the effects of not warming up–can you say "ruined paintings?" I've finally learned.


This is what I call a throw-away piece. If it turns out, great! If not, that's okay, its purpose was to get me painting again and it has done its job well. This is a watercolor and it is about 10" x 4" so far. If I go all the way across the paper it will 22 inches long. This still has a lot of work to be done. We'll have to see what becomes of it once (if) I get it finished.

Hope you get to knock the rust off your paint brush this weekend, too!!

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9 Creative Thought(s)

  1. So glad you are back painting. I have missed seeing your new work. If you need to throw this away I'll send you my address :) Have a great weekend.

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  2. I know what you mean about the Jan. 15th business. Geez louise indeed! :-) Congrats on getting back to the brushes and paint. Oh and your studio looks wonderful! Tackling that in the midst of the holidays - LOL.

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  3. Looks like a fun way to knock the rust off.

    If I don't sketch for a few days I noticed how difficult it is to get back so can't even imagine weeks!

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  4. This is a nice start. I am more like chipping away at the learning process.

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  5. Such an appropriate post for me today. I've had a little trouble restarting my art-engine too. I did 2 pages this week and pencil drew a 3rd, but I haven't been able to post because my computer was in the shop (for a new fan). Just got the computer back tonight so maybe I'll start moving a bit more. Thank goodness I got it back before we leave for PARIS!!

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  6. Now you are inspiring me in more ways than you know.

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  7. Your "throw away" pieces are so beautiful! I pulled out my sketchbook and art supplies this week, and was shocked to see I haven't sketched since OCTOBER! (I did do some waterbrush practice after that, but that's in a different sketchbook.) Now the holidays are over and it is indeed GASP mid-January, I have to fit the sketching/painting back into the schedule somewhere.

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  8. I guess because you'd been putting up older works that I didn't notice they weren't new. But, you've been rather busy with classes, holidays and remodeling. Nice way to ease back in with some warm-up pieces.

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  9. i did that very thing this weekend! i hadn't worked with watercolor for a few months and picking up that brush was like going on an awkward teenage date. and yes, it went all wonky on the first attempt. then i flipped the page over and it went much better the second time. i hope you'll show the progression of your heart panorama - it looks great so far!

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