A Focused Journey: Finding a focus on the other side of 50.

I believe everyone’s life has a purpose. We are here to discover that purpose then use whatever gifts were bestowed upon us to make this world a better place. Some of us are fortunate as we know at an early age what that purpose is. Others, well, we go along, often digressing from the road that will take us there. This is me. Now on the other side of 50, I am finding my way back to that road that will lead to my life’s purpose. Welcome to my journey.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Get up. Get dressed. Paint.

This week’s 15 MINUTES OF MIXED MEDIA© with Rae Missigman was quick but not simple. She made it look easy but my lack of drawing skills got in the way of my enjoying the process.

She started with a page she had spread with left over paint onto so I recreated that before beginning.

Pandora felt the need to nap on the computer again making viewing the video a bit difficult. I don't think she cared. After pausing then restarting the video for me, I put her in the cat basket.

The carnage

My feather doesn’t look much like a feather.

What I learned

Use India ink in a water brush as an outline
Dip the Stabilo pencil in water to create a water brush look
I need more practice with freestyle drawing.

While I am not happy with the results I am happy that I painted this page. I'm learning to set aside my need to have things turn out perfectly and enjoy creating something I otherwise wouldn't because it wouldn't turn out perfect. A year ago, I wouldn't have tried this page.

Another page from my Texture journal. You can read about it HERE.

Joining Paint Party Friday where having paint under the fingernails is the norm. What colors are under yours?

11 comments:

Valerie-JaelOctober 9, 2015 at 3:47 AM
You have made some beautiful artwork this week with the help of Pandora. Cats just love to put themselves centre-stage! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
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Tracey FKOctober 9, 2015 at 4:08 AM
the page turned out beautifully in the end and if you had any trouble with it, it doesn't show... lovely... and the cat on your computer is adorable...xx
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My name is Erika.October 9, 2015 at 6:27 AM
I love your free style drawing. I think the whole page came out wonderfully and like someone who has done this a lot.
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Penny Lee StewArtOctober 9, 2015 at 11:39 AM
Just don't paint the cat! Well, a portrait would be nice.
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Linda KunsmanOctober 9, 2015 at 11:49 AM
Your feather is wonderful just as it is! And the other journal page is beautiful. Sweet Pandora, and she must have been much more comfortable in her basket:)
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Beth NiquetteOctober 9, 2015 at 12:59 PM
I liked seeing the progression of your artwork. And I LOVED the end result. I also adore your kitty Pandora. I have BootBoy the Kitten in my lap as I type this. And he wants me to pet him! LOL
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froebelsternchenOctober 9, 2015 at 1:34 PM
I love your freestyle ... make more ! Your page in the texture journal is beautiful as well! Happy PPF!
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NeesieOctober 9, 2015 at 6:22 PM
Oh I know just how you feel Diane because I used to want perfection and it affected me greatly. I would get worked up and anxious about drawing/painting but I've managed to move on and just do it recently. I remember a saying.... It's not about the destination it's the journey that counts (or something along those lines) and it's true. I now feel much happier just creating the art and if it comes out well then that's an added bonus.
I like you feather and I have to say Pandora is adorable ^..^
Have a wonderful weekend and happy PPF to you
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GigglesOctober 10, 2015 at 3:26 AM
Gorgeous page in the end!! The more we create the better we get with our own style!! Very nicely done... perfection is overrated anyway!! Enjoy the journey!

Hugs Giggles
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DVArtistOctober 10, 2015 at 12:29 PM
Wonderful art pages. Perfection is in the eye of the artist.
Nicole/Beadwright
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Abigail DavidsonOctober 13, 2015 at 2:06 AM
Great use of color -- lovely creations! And by the way, I think Pandora is such a cool name for a cat -- adorable!
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Thank you so much for stopping by. Please share your insights.

THE JOURNEY

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could

The Dark Night Of The Soul
By Saint John of the Cross
Translated by A.Z. Foreman

Songs of the soul rejoicing at having achieved the high state of perfection, the Union with God, by way of spiritual negation.

Once in the dark of night,
Inflamed with love and wanting, I arose
(O coming of delight!)
And went, as no one knows,
When all my house lay long in deep repose

All in the dark went right,
Down secret steps, disguised in other clothes,
(O coming of delight!)
In dark when no one knows,
When all my house lay long in deep repose.

And in the luck of night
In secret places where no other spied
I went without my sight
Without a light to guide
Except the heart that lit me from inside.

It guided me and shone
Surer than noonday sunlight over me,
And lead me to the one
Whom only I could see
Deep in a place where only we could be.

O guiding dark of night!
O dark of night more darling than the dawn!
O night that can unite
A lover and loved one,
Lover and loved one moved in unison.

And on my flowering breast
Which I had kept for him and him alone
He slept as I caressed
And loved him for my own,
Breathing an air from redolent cedars blown.

And from the castle wall
The wind came down to winnow through his hair
Bidding his fingers fall,
Searing my throat with air
And all my senses were suspended there.

I stayed there to forget.
There on my lover, face to face, I lay.
All ended, and I let
My cares all fall away
Forgotten in the lilies on that day.

Pages

Friday, October 9, 2015

Get up. Get dressed. Paint.

What I learned

11 comments: