A Long Overdue Update!

Wow, this was a long break from blogging! I was going to start again in September, but then we were preparing for a hurricane evacuation and Daniel's start of school. We ended up being able to stay home during Hurricane Irma as it had weakened to a tropical storm, but we didn't know until the last day. Luckily, we had no damage at all except no power for four days, which was nothing compared to what others experienced and are still experiencing.

I also spent the summer trying to understand the mind-boggling political situation in this country and the world. I will continue to keep my blog free of politics, but I did want to mention it here since it defined my summer to a large extent.

The paintings above and below were really fun commissions I worked on during the summer.

It made me feel quite powerless and so sad and angry to read about what this current US administration is doing and undoing. And then came the unbelievable natural disasters that were happening too fast and were too destructive to fully comprehend: incredibly strong hurricanes, earthquakes and now the deadly fires in California.

There was and is so much suffering so close to home and all in places we have visited. They are all places we love. And I have to say, this year's hurricane season was so unbelievable and so much more stressful as we often didn't know if we were going to be directly in the path. I'm so glad the season is finally winding down and the communities affected can heal and rebuild.

I noticed over the summer how my art was changing. At the beginning of the summer I still liked working loosely with acrylic inks and acrylic paint. I liked the element of surprise. Not so much later in the summer. There had been too many surprises that I had no control over and I noticed how I craved taking my time with my art and drawing more intentionally and realistically.

I found a wonderful young British artist on Patreon whose tutorials have taught me so much. Here's the link if you are interested. The golden retriever above I drew with charcoal pencils and my nephew I rendered with graphite and charcoal.

What I really want to learn is how to draw realistically with colored pencils. I followed Kirsty's tutorial for this kingfisher bird using colored pencils and solvent and absolutely loved it.

I used to think I wasn't patient, but that's not true. I am so enjoying these drawings that take me many hours to complete. I'm working on one right now that's going to take me a few more days until it's done. Again with colored pencils.

Thank you for sticking with me. I have missed our interactions. I'll do a few more blog posts with all the photos I've taking over the summer in our garden and a few knitting projects I've finished or am still working on.

In the meantime, I hope you are all doing well!!

❧ Silke

Blog Anniversary and A Visit to Atlanta, Part 3

Eight years ago today I started not just blogging but my creative journey. I started painting and blogging at the same time and I am still going strong! My blogging has lessened and the time I spend on painting dramatically increased.

I remember in the beginning making a little time each day to be creative and now it has become not only my passion but my profession. In some ways it seems like a miracle and in others I know it's because I started and never stopped. A lot of it is just showing up and painting.

In those eight years, I have finished hundreds of paintings, I've gotten published in an art book, painted many commissions (which I love doing), had my art in three group shows and had a big joint exhibit with Daniel. For the future I see much more of the same and I want to add teaching to the mix.

But all those accomplishments are just a by-product.

The real reason why I keep painting is this: by nature, I am a worry wart. I can't remember a time when I was not.

And going into menopause has made it much worse for me. I can live with it, but the only thing that really stops it is when I get out of my head. And painting does that for me.

When I paint, I am in the flow. I think of nothing. I worry about nothing. I don't try to figure anything out.

When I paint, I am fully present. When I paint, I feel the color. And the only thing I do is to follow each step in my painting to the next without a plan.

It is difficult to express something in writing that happens in the space beyond words. When I paint, the world makes sense to me. I feel connected to everything.

I never plan my paintings aside from the layout in a few cases. I don't plan the colors, I have no idea of the subject in most of my paintings, and even if I see the finished painting in my mind before I start, I still surrender to the process and allow it to lead me.

I think that's why I love each one of my paintings and have never had to deal with the inner critic. I know that my analytical, planning, critical worry wart of a mind is not in charge when I paint.

Rather it is that part of me that knows it is connected to everything, that can see beauty in all, that knows that mistakes don't exist and that loves the process even more than the end result.

All those things we define as success with being an artist are definitely secondary to why I paint. I am grateful that people love my art. Yet I know that even if I were the only one who loved it I would still keep on painting.

And on this anniversary of my blog I am extra grateful for all of you who have accompanied me on this journey! Here's to many more years together...

❧ Silke
P.S. The photos are from the gardens around Swan House (see my last post) at the Atlanta History Center. 

A Little Art and Some Thoughts

Dear friends, I hope you have been well! I haven't posted in a while, which means I have a good bit of art to show you. So much, in fact, that I'm dividing it into a few posts. 

This morning I was thinking about my blog and how I have gotten away from it. It made me feel a little wistful. You know I like change. I like how life progresses, how I change (otherwise I would have never started painting), how nothing ever stays the same, how there are seasons for everything.

And at the same time, there are some things I used to love to do that don't come easily anymore, friends we used to hang out with a lot who now live far away from us,  places we used to live and love, which we now don't get back to much anymore, places we used to travel to a lot, which we now don't anymore. It fills me with a bittersweet melancholy.

And there's my blog, which I used to love. I looked forward to posting every day, to connecting every day and to discover new things for all of my readers. Everything that delighted me, I'd think: "Oh, I have to share that on my blog." Where has that excitement gone?

There was a period of great loss in my small blogging world. Two of my earliest and dear, dear blogging friends passed away and it took the levity and fun out of blogging for me. And I think I've never quite gotten it back after that. Maybe it's time!

As I write this, I realize it's the birthday today of one of those two dear friends and I believe she is giving me a nudge! I need to blog again! I need to connect again!

I miss it. I miss being in touch with you all. I am very active on Facebook, which is really fun in its own way, but it's not the same. I don't really share my thoughts on Facebook. Mostly photos and definitely my art. Still, I love how I can be connected to family and old and new friends in such an easy way. It's also how I sell most of my art and I am very grateful for that. But it's not the same as sharing my life and my thoughts on my blog.

Ok, that decided it. It's time! I have changed and I need to write about it.

I miss you all! And I love you!

❧ Silke 
P.S. Linking to the always inspiring Paint Party Friday! I'm so grateful for their unfailing weekly inspiration! 

Turning 50

So, tomorrow I turn 50. The reason I'm telling you is because so much has happened between 40 and 50 that I never thought possible.

Right before I turned 40, we moved from Albuquerque to Savannah and everything was in flux. I had left a career in Albuquerque and had no idea what I was to do with myself. I just knew that my happiness was not to be found in this particular career or in any "normal" job.

At that time I wasn't very good at just being. And I was even worse at being in that undefined space of not knowing what was next for me in terms what I'd be doing.

I now know that that is one of the best spaces to be in. We all like to get from point A to point B and arrive at Point B quickly, but the real magic happens in the in between stage, in that open space between "what was" and "what will be." That's when everything can change for the better, when we can become something more, something new.

It was in this space where I started painting. I was 43 and had never before wanted to paint because I knew that I didn't have the talent. It was not even on my radar until...I had this undefined (uncomfortable) space in my life.

Here's what I learned from that new beginning. In life it's often not about living our obvious talents and doing what we've always done. The biggest joy is sometimes found on a path we didn't even know existed. Developing a talent that was completely hidden. Allowing something new and unknown into our lives.

Now at 50 (well, tomorrow) my life is only about the joy of it, however that comes to me. Be it through art, family, knitting, nature, our pets, cooking, eating, what have you. It's about the joy of it, pure and simple! And I wish the same for you!

All of these little paintings can be found in my Daily Paintworks gallery.
And of course I'm liking to Paint Party Friday, where I am always inspired!

With love and light,

❧ Silke

So much to catch up on!

Dear friends, over a month has passed and I have not posted. I've also not painted a whole lot - life has been busy with other things. Good things. Spring time. Great weather. Being outside. Friends visiting. A sudden need to read a lot and devouring several books. But still, art happened.

And I managed to record and edit a little video of me painting the horse. I hope you enjoy it. And I hope to do more of them in the future. 

And then I've been working on several bigger canvases that are going much slower. And the process is so different. I'm enjoying the color mixing and painting in a more painterly style.

And faces are coming up again. Mixed with the animals. We'll see where that goes... (These are both details of larger canvases.)

And remember this sweet guy? Well, he is going to be published in a art book on koalas in Australia. Of course, it'll be a little while before the book is actually available, but I'm excited already. A part of the proceeds will go to support the Australian Koala Foundation. I like that!

Do you remember when my blog was called "Metamorphosis?" It's still happening for me. I am becoming more and more of the "real" me as I shed old programming and fears, as I paint more and allow parts of me to shine that I've previously kept hidden. Much of that I have done to make life easier for me. Life is so much simpler when I pretend to be like everyone else. Truth is I am not like most people. I've always been different and I'm starting to be ok with that. They say that art heals - so very true! I'll definitely be writing more about this in the time to come.

But in the meantime, lots of love from my heart to yours!

Linking to the ever fabulous Paint Party Friday, where a whole lot of amazing art happens every week!

❧ Silke

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