Friday, August 13, 2010

Upsy Daisy Steps


"Upsy Daisy Steps"
Mixed Media, 10" x 10"- watercolor, paper on bristol vellum,

Have you ever read some of Kelly Rae's blog archives?  I so enjoyed going back to her earlier posts to see where she came from artistically and creatively.  I blog about this because it gives me hope.  In the beginning, she posts all her happy paintings.  And you see them getting better and better each time. She's just happy and grateful to be able to create.  She's so positive and upbeat, and  I think that's what attracted me to her blog in the first place.

Let me confess unlike Kelly, I agonize over my paintings.  I throw away two for every one I keep or post.  I cry when I just can't get it.  I would cut my ear off  if  I could!

So today,  I decided I'm going to be more forgiving of myself.  I'm going to try to enjoy the process and not focus so on the outcome, as my flyer friend,  Kat posts in "The means or the end".....the process, the means, is probably more important ...the end is not the purpose of the creative process, the means is".  

So, I am posting "Upsy Daisy Steps", a tough "means" painting.  I  happened to see it again in the drawer and thought what was wrong with this one?  Don't remember.

Someday, maybe someone else will look back at our earlier posts and be inspired, too!  


12 comments:

Melissa said...

Diana, I love your art!! Do you have a gallery or etsy page?

Kerry said...

Hi Diana, I love this painting, the colours especially sing. It's vibrant and happy. I can relate to your wanting each piece to be just right before you let it go. I think I do that too much too. VERY pleased you have been creating. My mo jo is on lo at the mo & I'm not doing much art.

Kat Sloma said...

This painting is beautiful! I saw it and thought it was so happy and bright, just full of life. I have no idea why you would not like this one! I'm glad you are looking to the process instead of the end result. Your work is so wonderful, it shouldn't end up in a drawer!

jacqueline said...

Dearest Dinan, loving this post and your very beautiful painting! You are so talented and amazing. I did read archives of lovely sweet kelly's blog ~ i do find myself reading archives of artists that inspires me. I always find these entries very inspiring! It's wonderful to know that you are going to try to enjoy the process and not focus too much on the outcome. I always enjoy my creating process and try to trust it. Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you!

Suzanne said...

Are you kidding me? You make paintings like that one above and sometimes you throw them away? Omigosh, please stop. Your painting is beautiful.

Adriana said...

Lovely! Lovely! It makes my heart sigh... I can feel myself in there ..walking up those steps..makes me daydream...

Keep doing this...don't stop ok?

I know what it's like when we have a vision that doesn't quite translate as we see it..maybe it's not meant to..maybe it's a starting point from which you art moves forward onto the page to create itself as it wishes..

In my glass-art business we say that the glass wants to do it's own thing.I can't tell you how many times the outcome has been much more exciting when I trust and allow that ...

Hugs to you Diana! xx

Carola Bartz said...

Diana, good for you! I'm glad you're not only looking at the end result but the process. And this painting is beautiful - those bold, happy colors! Good thing you didn't throw it away! Don't be so hard on yourself (I know, we are our harshest critics).

amy friend said...

that is exactly what is so intriguing about blogging - witnessing the process. love your space and your art. :)

Anonymous said...

It's a great painting. It's happy, we get none of your internal struggle you may have had when you painted it.
There's the lesson learned. Don't throw away, put it out of sight for a while.

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

Diane-oh my goodness! This is one not to be hidden in a drawer. I too feel inpsired by reading through the blogs of my favorite artists; it reminds me that no one is in the same place; we are either honing in or DOING NOTHING!

Mary-Michael said...

Diana, thank you for showing us this piece. Really, it is beautiful, the colors are so vibrant and it's visually interesting. I recently read Twyla Tharp's book "The Creative Habit" and she writes something along the lines of this...as artists, it is not our job to judge whether the work is 'good enough' it is our job to create. So bravo for pulling this one out and showing your work. I know it takes a lot of courage!

Elizabeth said...

Diana, your post is so honest. I can relate to your feelings. It is very wise of you to read all those old posts. Last week I did the same and I was surprised and as you said, it helped me a lot to gain confidence and to keep going. Thank ypu so much for sharing your feelings. Rest assure that you are a talented women and your work is beautiful!