New Painting.
Sorry everyone, that it’s been so long since I posted last! I was in S. California. My girlfriend puts on the Fiesta of the Spanish Horse at the L.A. Equestrian Center every year and I photograph it for her. That’s where I was last year when the posts were put up for my riding in the Cancer Survivor Parade in John’s honor.
Anyway, I’m back and will post some photos from the show, Disneyland and a photo shoot I had down there with the most FABULOUS Gypsy Vanner stallion. 
Meanwhile, I have been working on a commission of two little boys and a kitten. And I am having SO much fun with it. One of those that I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t WAIT to get up and go to work.
Why do you think some paintings do that to you?!
May 15th, 2012 at 12:59 am
Because they are ones that speak to us in the deepest recesses of our hearts.
I just finished a baby for the State Fair and I walk past her 15 times a day just to look at her. She still needs eyebrows and eye lashes, but there’s just something about her that makes me stop and stare.
I intend(ed) to put her up for sale after the fair, but the letting go thing just might be too strong. Sometimes we don’t even realize how much we’ve bonded with a project until it’s time to let it go.
Does anyone else ever find themselves a bit sad when they finish something? I’ve had so much fun with this last baby … I have one more to finish by this Saturday and I’m having to force myself to work on her. All I can think about is the one that’s done. lol
I really think I’ve fallen in love.
May 15th, 2012 at 10:40 am
Some paintings are magical
When this happens to me (not too often) – all ist just clear and I know what to do and to paint. No questions about background or colors – just a perfect idea in mind…
May 15th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
I have wanted to be an artist who sells paintings and earns, somewhat of a living, from my work. That has never happened, and I have given away more than I have sold. I do find that I get attached to certain projects more than others, though. Those are the special ones that speak to me, and where the creative juices have just flowed from above through my hand. You know, the ones like your baby, Sharon. Those are the ones I still marvel at and am amazed that I created them. I wish it happened every time like that. There are, however, those paintings that I have thought would never end.
I read something the other day…It was an encouragement to paint for the trash can. The idea is to take all of the pressure away and to allow yourself to just be creative. I am sure there are very spontaneous masterpieces created that way. Interesting….
Can’t wait to see the progress on this painting, Lesley! Looks adorable!
May 16th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
I can identify with you Sharon and Mary. I was feeling blue today so I “made” myself go and get started on a painting and before long I was lost in the creative process and the afternoon was gone. And I felt better too.
There are some paintings I love more than others but I am not sure why. I like the “trash can ” statement. I paint better when there is no pressure.
May 17th, 2012 at 10:45 am
The pressure doesn’t usually bother me, in fact I used to have a little quote on my drafting board that said “I work best under pressure and there will be plenty of pressure if I wait until tomorrow!”
But, the kind of pressure that gets to me is when I feel my artwork is not measuring up to whatever bar I’m holding it up against. Because we’re the ones that do this to ourselves.
My point is, if I’m in my studio painting away………..I’m usually happy as a little clam. But when I used to do a lot of shows with other artists – with a lot on the line…..THAT can be a little intense.
The BIG MONEY shows can feel a little competitive amongst the artists, which I hate. And the organizers have put a lot of time and their own money into the shows and are hoping and expecting for a lot in return. THAT can feel like loads of pressure, especially if it feels like some of the other artists aren’t your friends.
I did a show years ago that was extremely difficult to get into and quite prestigious and somehow my work got in. The first show I did went really, really well and sold a lot. But the the next year, at the second show I did poorly and I knew my work wasn’t up to par.
I think I had gone home intimidated by the quality of the rest of the artwork and the pressure to sell in such a public forum. I had to drop out of the show for about 10 years and when I went back my emotional state was in a much better place and I did the show for years and usually sold out.
Life IS fair sometimes, if we can face our demons!!!
As with so many things in life, there is much more to conquer than just learning to be technically proficient at your craft.
May 18th, 2012 at 10:43 am
So far for me all my paintings do that. Even the one’s that give me trouble and I struggle with. I’m still amazed at the power they have over me as I watch them appear on my paper. It’s like someone else is actually creating them and I’m a passive bystander watching it happen. I don’t get to paint everyday, so the days I do get to paint are very special.
I love this piece Lesley… can’t wait to see more!
May 21st, 2012 at 2:32 pm
I have a technical question…..Do you paint mostly with the hard pastels, Lesley? Seems like most of your work is done with them, I have always used soft pastels to fill the background, but they do leave lots of pigment on the paper. Do your cross-hatch patterns with hard pastels leave as much due to so many passes?
Just wondering….Thanks!