Massive Chaos

"Silent Comfort"

Melody had another relapse last week with her injury and ended up going back in for surgery. It's now been a 7 month nightmare in trying to keep my horse alive. Every time I see the vets they tell me that my horse should be dead. I just keep trekking, and treating her because I know if I slack off even slightly she could get infected and die.

Back when she first injured herself I put my entire life on hold while I stressed out and obsessed over keeping my beloved mare alive. I felt empty and alone, but I figured this was all because of what was happening right in front of me. My horse was seriously hurt, and that's all there was to it. In reality it wasn't. It wasn't the stress of the horse's injury that was making me feel empty- it was the lack of creative energy that was doing it.

It's only been the past 3 months that I've realized I HAVE to paint, I HAVE to write, I HAVE to use my creativity or there's really no point in being here. After I complete a painting or write a short story I feel so warm, so full of life. It doesn't matter what kind of day I've had, if I come home and do something creative everything is instantly better. Art is a part of life, and I have to do it. Since I embraced my creative side again I'm not as stressed out. The threat of dire things still looms heavier over my head, but I can deal with it now. I can take it and channel it into something- a painting, a short story.

Poor Melody still has a long way to go. She came home Friday after her surgery and it confined to strict stall rest. She's such a brave little mare. Everyday when she sees me she nickers happily and rests her head on my chest. I keep praying everything will be alright, and any doubt or troubles get washed away in layers of paint on canvas.

Improving

Simple Elegance II 12x 16 watercolor

I feel like every time I pick up my paint brush to do one of these watercolors it just keeps getting better and better! It's always exciting to know you are learning sometime and getting a nice dose of inspiration along the way!

I actually have several new paintings to show too! I've been a little slow in actually up loading the digital photos from my camera, but with exams and art reviews right around the corner- I might be a little slow to get them up. Although, with only 3 weeks left of the semester I might delay this until after finials!

As my semester end with Feng draws near I've been trying to lap up everything he says about techniques and how to pull in inspirations. After the class was over today he pulled me aside to congratulate me on my hard work and improving skills. This is very uplifting since watercolor has always been such a struggle for me! I knew this class was going to be hard from day one, but I stuck with it and I'm working very hard. All my efforts are paying off ten fold! So, here's today lesson: No matter how hard things are keep with it. Eventually the fruits of your labors will be apparent and they will be the sweetest ever!

Watercolor Continued

"Floating" 12 x16 watercolor

One of the biggest things I am learning in my watercolor class right now is to loosen up! And to stop trying to control the watercolor. By just letting the medium 'do its own thing' I am getting some beautiful washes. This was just a quick painting to put to use everything Feng and his other students have suggested to me, and really there is already a big difference between this one and the last.

Whenever I get really flustered with my art I have to do something fun. Something whimsical and off key for me. Thus a series of Wind Horses is slowly being born, and they are all wildly stylized like the horse in today's post. It is important for no matter what your line of work is to take a mental break and do something fun with it. As much as I love to draw and paint, the wind horses are how I keep things fresh and fun. I use them as an excuse to just explore and experiment with the medium.

The next painting I am working on is continuing on with the Dressage theme from the last painting- and boy do I think I bit off more than I can chew! The horse is a beautiful midnight black Friesian and he's proving very difficult to paint at the moment! I'm also a bit nervous with this as well because Feng wants me to paint in front of him this week. I might have to do some more of these wind horses to keep me sane!!

The Secret to a Good Painting

People have always been baffled with what makes a good painting, and it's not just having a good grasp on colors or brush techniques mastered. Although, those things certainly help they aren't the most important part. The key to a good painting is a well thought out drawing. Let me explain, if you were trying to create a painting of a horse, for example, but had a half hearted drawing with lots of errors there is no way you can create a wonderful painting. By making the job more frustrating than it should be- the painting is doomed to fail.
This was a very hard lesson for me to learn as I would rush through the sketching process so I could color it. Guess what? All those paintings were pure crap. They were rushed through making them poor quality and awkward. Art is nothing but checks and balances. There is no one part that is more or less important than the other. Creating a good solid drawing is just as important as painting it. If you rush with anything in the creative process it will fail.
You have to enjoy the entire process of creating a painting, for this is what ensures a warmly received high quality treasure. A treasure that you have put every ounce of your being in.