Friday, January 15, 2016

Color! I love it!!

Good Friday morning, everyone! Or afternoon or evening, depending on where you are. We are having a rainy day, which is perfect for blogging and painting. I have been busy this last week. I am trying to get one painting done a day or at least paint everyday, which I have been able to do to date.
These are all small paintings and my goal is to stay loose. To do "my" intuitive backgrounds and then to see what I see and paint that without overworking it. I am having FUN with this! So, the moose above came from the background below. I saw it immediately in the shapes. Can you as well?

The sea turtle came from the shapes below. The colors reminded me of the ocean and I wanted to preserve that very dark edge on the bottom. The color is so gorgeous! When I got finished with this one, I had to laugh at the expression on the face. He does not look pleased!

The backgrounds above were on small Gessobords (5 x 5 inches) and when I turned them and looked at them, I saw the following animals in them.
The beautiful pattern the colors made while drying in the painting above, reminded me of feathers.
The gorgeous reds in this one wanted to be preserved for sure! Out came this sweet orangutan baby. I just want to hug it!
This one was so obvious to me when I saw the two dark circles in the shapes of the background. It makes me smile.
And then this beauty! I loved some of the shapes and wanted to preserve them. I did have to gesso over some of the background because it was so dark, but tried to preserve most of it. He is a thoughtful fellow and maybe a little sad, but so sweet!
Now for something different. I'm taking the year-long Lifebook class with the inspiring Tamara Laporte and about 25 other first-class teachers, and this was the first lesson. We had to paint ourselves with the spirit animals that will accompany us on this journey. Anyone who knows our critters is probably not surprised to see a cat and a wolf. It was fun using my high-flow acrylics on paper - a totally different experience and look. I'm sure I'll try it again!

So, this last week, I got some of my hair dyed blue. It seems to be just a superficial fun thing, but for me it was so much more. My whole life I have practiced "fitting in", "being normal", and "not being seen."

Becoming an artist has shown me how futile (and damaging) this has been, and I needed to get rid of that thinking in a big way. In a way I couldn't hide (or wash out). In a way that everyone will notice. In a way that not everyone will like (particularly in a way that not everyone likes). In a way that pushes way beyond my own comfort zone. I needed to make a commitment to being me. In a small, but for me quite significant way. So, here I am!
And here is where I play, which I hope to do a lot of this coming week.

I am once again linking to the fabulous inspiration over at Paint Party Friday and at Creative Every Day. Hop on over to see some amazing art!

Of my little paintings, one has sold already and one more has been bid on in the auction. If you want to check them out, click here to see my gallery at Daily Paintworks. All of them are very affordable!

With gratitude and blue in my hair,

Silke

27 comments:

  1. Your colourful animals are wonderful, and I love the photo of you with your blue hair. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  2. AWESOME!!! lack words to express....great backgrounds and the image from the shapes, being intuitive is something i enjoy too and connect with! Yours have come out Gorgeous!!!
    The lady pic from the Lifebook is amazing too!
    Happy PPF!

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  3. Your intuitive painting is awesome! I love the brilliant colors. And the self portrait is simply gorgeous.

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  4. fabulous found paintings love the use of colour

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  5. Color-I love it too and these intuitive paintings are magnificent!!! You are adorable and I love the touch of blue in your hair too:) Happy PPF!

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  6. Gosh, your work is beautiful. And you-CUTE AS A BUTTON!!!!! Love the blue in the hair.

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  7. Absolutely gorgeous small paintings. They are adorable animal figures which make happy feeling. Thanks for that. You look so nice person in the portrait and photo.
    Happy PPF ♥

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  8. Everything you're doing is perfect, Silke!! You always brighten my day. And I love your blue hair!! Keep up the good work, you've found your grove! Love, Chloe

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  9. Intuitive painting, I love it! Thanks for showing how yours progressed. :-)

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  10. Your paintings are so wonderful and I love that hair!! :-)
    blessings
    ~*~

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  11. Silke these are gorgeous as is your hair...LOVE it...says I am an ARTIST...loud and proud!! Good for you breaking down those barriers. That Tamara Laporte influence with your spirit animals is stunning... at first I didn't see the wolf... just wow... and your colourful animals always make me swoon!! You go girl... seems you are becoming more yourself!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  12. These images are beautiful. My aunt used to paint on silk and this reminds of me her work. So lovely. LOVE the shock of blue in your hair! I have to get more adventurous--I just went all white (grey) and need a change of pace. You inspired me! xo

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  13. OH, Wow, wonderful! Your aninals are amazing! (And so is the touch of blue in the hair).

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  14. That is one HELLUVA moose! And I like your hair too -- very cute!

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  15. Lovely creative pieces. Great hair too!

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  16. What a beautiful post full of color and depth.
    You are very talented and the blue compliments lovely you.
    Thank you for your visit and kind words over at my Magpie's Nest.
    oxo

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  17. Very beautiful paintings! When I looked at the sea turtle and read your comment about him not looking very pleased, I looked at him again and thought, he has a big, warm glow inside... a serious or even grumpy-looking chap with a very big heart underneath that shell!

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  18. These paintings are all so very beautiful, the colours! Your new hair suits you very much.xx

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  19. So funny how you see animals everywhere, and how I see faces or birds everywhere :-) I love your colours, and you hairdo! It suits you very well, and I love the blue in there! Hurray for being you!

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  20. What a wonderful serendipitous way of playing with colour! Love your hair colour too! Wear your party pants, life is too short!!

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  21. Amazing artwork Silke - your blue hair is pretty!
    ♥♥♥
    Susi

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  22. Wow! These are absolutely gorgeous! I am amazed at what yousee in the originals. I have yet to venture into intuitive painting. Your hair is beautiful! Congrats on becoming more of you!

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  23. Wow! These are absolutely gorgeous! I am amazed at what yousee in the originals. I have yet to venture into intuitive painting. Your hair is beautiful! Congrats on becoming more of you!

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  24. Love these colorful paintings.

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  25. I love your colors and have always been attracted to the brightness you infuse them with. I'm extremely happy for what art has done for you and for the way you related to the world. For I can say that if you hadn't mentioned that you used to hide and made your best not to be seen, I would have never guessed. You are a rainbow! And that would be so sad for the world to miss. ♥

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  26. Il y a de la jubilation dans ta façon de peindre et cette joie est palpable, communicative, fait du bien à recevoir. Beaucoup de créativité, une vraie envie de jouer avec les couleurs, de prendre des risques. C'est du très beau travail.

    Bravo.
    Belle soirée en toute amitié.

    Roger

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