Coming Home - New Painting

When I paint, I get lost in the process. I was playing around with videotaping myself creating this painting and I was struck when I watched it and listened to the sound of how much my breathing changed.

It was like during meditation - it became really slow and deep. I often feel like I enter into a different state of mind. Actually, I know that I do.

Time becomes irrelevant and everything else falls away from me. I don't even listen to music. There's only me, my brushes, paint, and the canvas.

During the time I paint nothing else really exists. And because my paintings are pure emotion, it really shuts my brain off. I don't think about colors that go together or composition or anything else technical.

I just go with whatever feels right at the time. And then I step back and look at it. Does it feel balanced? Does it feel good for now? Does it feel finished?

And because I don't usually have a plan, I am most always amazed by the result. I know artists who are forever criticizing their own work. I don't. I usually fall in love with "my girls" as soon as they look back at me. And this one looks so kind and loving.

Sometimes I'm not sure if I am creating them or if they are creating me. Painting them certainly has changed my life!

I am always the one most amazed that this is coming out of me. I don't pretend to know what I'm doing, but I'm doing it. And I'm going to keep on doing it!

Coming Home
Acrylics on 18 x 24 in canvas

Somehow I am painting my soul and I am thrilled at what is pouring out!

With much love,

❧ Silke