Art and Movies

This week I've had a few things going on and only finished two small paintings.

I Like You
acrylics on 5 x 7 inch Gessobord
available at Daily Paintworks

I did prepare these four small Gessobords and will paint the other two this next week. And hopefully more. I love the daily practice of painting something. It really helps me stay loose in my work and not worry about it being "right."

I already know what the third painting is going to be, but I have no idea about the background in the lower right corner. I just don't quite see it yet...

The armadillo is a little more whimsical than my "normal" paintings, but then armadillos are really whimsical creatures. I had never seen them in the wild really until a few years ago. We were down at Cape Canaveral National Seashore around this time of year and saw them everywhere. Their faces are just adorable!

On my Way
acrylics on 5 x 7 inch Gessobord
available at Daily Paintworks

During the last few weeks Daniel and I went to see these two movies and we loved both of them! Not only where they good stories with good actors, but the costumes and the colors were just so beautiful! 

And the other thing we both noticed was how calmly they were filmed. I've gotten so used to the modern way of filming where the camera angle changes every few seconds that these movies felt downright relaxing to me.

It also made us both think back to the time when we weren't so connected electronically (both stories took place at a time before cell phones and such). We both love being connected to our families, friends and the world at large, but I sometimes find that I can barely remember what it was like to not be reachable around the clock.  But only for a moment.

And then I remembered how much I love everything that's possible now - being able to skype with my family and friends in Germany, connecting with friends around the world with such ease, writing my blog, being connected to you, being incredibly inspired whenever I need it, taking online classes with people from around the world, many of whom have become dear friends, and, and, and. 

How amazing that I get to live at a time when this is possible! Otherwise I probably would not have connected with most of you and I can't quite imagine that.

Speaking of connecting, I am linking again to the always wonderful Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day. 

I hope you will all have a wonderful weekend! And those of you in the path of the winter storm up north, stay safe! And warm!!

With love, 

❧ Silke

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

Painting, Painting, Painting!

I have been painting every day this past week. I've worked on a couple of bigger paintings, which I'll share in a later post. In addition I've been painting a number of small paintings.  

Best of Both Worlds
acrylics on 6 x 6 inch Gessobord

The idea is to paint fast and not overthink the process. To stay loose and paint intuitively 

Winter is Coming
acrylics on 5 x 7 inch Claybord

 I've been having a great time with these. They are all small, just 5 x 7 and 6 x 6 inches in size.

Winter is Coming
acrylics on 5 x 7 inch Claybord

And I've been trying out a new site I have seen some of my artist friends use: Daily Paintworks. I really love many of the paintings on there. The idea is to paint every day and offer those for sale. All super affordable. Plus, you can link to Etsy, which I did for a couple of mine.

Being There
acrylics on 6 x 6 inch Gessobord

Here's my little gallery on the site if you want to have a look.

I'm linking to the always inspiring Paint Party Friday and to Creative Everyday.

Soon I'll be back with a more newsy post. Daniel started teaching again this week and we've almost got our routine down again... And then I'll be more organized with my blogging. I hope. :)

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!

❧ Silke