New Painting

I finished my latest painting this morning.

Last night there were still some things that were not looking right to me, but then this morning after another couple of layers it all came together.

I am often clueless as to what I need to do to finish the painting, but somehow the last layer always lets me know how to proceed.

And when after one of the layers there is suddenly quiet and no thought of what needs to be done next, I know that the painting is finished.

What amazes me is the emotion that this way of painting and the finished pieces evoke in me. I could stare at them for hours (and sometimes do).

And the initial layer that I thought was so wrong is working beautifully into the whole. 

Visions of Tomorrow
acrylic painting on 12 x 24 inch canvas

Available here. 

The sun has come out again today, but we are expecting high winds and cold temperatures for tonight. Very unusual for us in the middle of March!

I hope it is warmer wherever you are and that the sun is shining on your lives!!

❧ Silke

A little of this and that...

Today is a rainy day, but yesterday I took this photo of some of our daffodils blooming. I love these little ones - they look like sunshine to me! And the smell good... 

And then, of course, there is a shamrock in our house announcing soon to come St. Patrick's Day! Savannah has a huge parade on St. Patrick's Day (second only to NYC they say - which I am not sure how true it is), but the town is packed with tourists who arrive in huge numbers. Needless to say, we stay away from downtown that weekend. Crowds are not really our thing.

Yesterday I remembered my pressure cooker and decided to use it again. It had been a while. So, I got out Lorna Sass's vegetarian cook book and chose a potato spinach soup.

I remember my mother cooking with the old-fashioned pressure cooker with the jiggle top and how scary that always seemed. We kids were not allowed in the kitchen when she was cooking with it. So, even now, with my perfectly safe pressure cooker, it still makes me a little nervous.

But once I get going, the whole process is like a miracle to me. After a little bit of sauteing of leeks and garlic, I simply added all the rest of the ingredients, locked the lid, turned up the heat and - in just 6 (!!!) minutes - dinner went from this...

... to this! The speed of it amazes me. Plus it's delicious and nutritious to boot!

On the painting front, I have started a new layered abstract and am probably five layers in. I've been observing my inner voice - not the kind one, but that critical one - and it's interesting how after I painted the very first layer and I kept thinking I did it wrong. Funny thing is, there is no right or wrong in this process, yet with every layer that isn't quite super gorgeous to me, I am tempted to just gesso over the whole thing and start again.

However, as I resist that temptation and just keep working with transparent acrylic layers, the painting changes, starts taking shape and often surprises me. We'll see where it all goes.  I'm sure it'll be very different from what it looks like now.

I sure hope the sun is shining where you live and that spring is on its way! Here, it's been a little warmer and everything seems to start to wake up and grow. I love this season - aside from fall - it's my favorite one! I guess I like the seasons of great change.

Wishing you a relaxing and inspiring Tuesday!

❧ Silke

New Painting

First of all a big thank you, dear friends old and new, for your heartfelt comments on my last blog post. The consensus (and my own inclination) seems to be to keep blogging when I feel like it and visit you all when I have time and leisure to do so. And not worry about the rest! That is what I'll do...

I have been painting on this latest one for quite a few days, slowly building it up with layer after layer (after layer) of transparent acrylic paint.

I didn't know what to expect and I was just thrilled with the colors, the depth and the texture this resulted in.

Couldn't resist showing you the above photo inclusive my fuzzy slippers. We are having another cold morning!

I feel as though I am finally finding my very own voice in my paintings and I love it! It's the best feeling to know that what you are painting comes purely from inside.

Yesterday's Dreams
acrylic painting on 12 x 24 inch canvas

SOLD! Thank you!! 

I'm linking this to this week's Illustration Friday.

And to you all I wish a wonderful and relaxing weekend!! I have to go buy more art supplies before I can start the next one as I'm fresh out of gesso.

❧ Silke

About this blog

When I started this blog, I was spending some time being creative, but not much as I was starting out. I spent much more time blogging and visiting other blogs. And now that this has changed, I am both excited and also constantly feel bad I'm not spending more time with all of you.

These days all I want to do is paint. And when I'm not painting, I'm thinking about painting. This is one I am working on that I am building very slowly with many layers (I think I have 10 so far).

And when the layers are drying, I sit at my sewing machine and make little bags out of the most fun fabrics! (All of those are in my Etsy store with more to come.)

And that's my dilemma. I am constantly making things, but the time I have to blog and - more importantly - visit your blogs has been diminished.

I used to spend hours every day in the blog world and it was fun! Now, when I have free time like that, I want to spend it painting or sewing or knitting or cooking, but not so much on the computer.

Facebook has been great in this as I can post these things and connect with people without spending much time online. But my blog has suffered. And I am not sure what I should do.

As I am coming up on my 4th blog anniversary, I am wondering if it's time to pack it in. It doesn't feel fair to you - my loyal visitors - that I often don't visit you back. Or should I do it like some of my friends and have a long post once every week or every two weeks?

I also wonder if anything I post is of value to you anymore. Every once in a while I have a deeper thought on here, but mostly right now I am driven to create, which is beyond exciting to me, but might be boring to you all.

Do you still enjoy visiting here? Even though I have no tutorials or even recipes to share right now? Would you miss this if I were to not blog anymore? Any thoughts?

I'm just not sure at all...

❧ Silke

New Paintings

The last days of Jane Spakowsky's challenge turned into a little series for me, which I think is still continuing. It's been interesting limiting the colors I'm using (two colors plus black and white) and just allowing the intuitive part of my brain to guide me.

The Dance
acrylic painting on 8 x 10 inch canvas

Flight
acrylic painting on 8 x 10 inch canvas

The Ascent
acrylic painting on 8 x 10 inch canvas

Movement
acrylic painting on 11 x 14 inch canvas

All available in my Etsy Shop. 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Ours was busy with friends, cooking and art - a great combination!

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week and that, wherever you are, it is warmer than in Savannah this morning...

❧ Silke