Hello dear readers, it has been a while; but I promise to do better. I have been running a few ideas in my head based on some suggestions from friends and I think I will start to work on them soon. However, the topic of this post is needless advice/criticism.
I participate in a lot of challenges throughout the year aimed at building confidence and stretching myself. During the month of July there is the #worldwatercolormonth-july2016. The paintings below are days 1-5. I decided to try this challenge because I wanted to practice painting with watercolors. It is fun and yet takes a lot of practice. I got the really groovy idea to work through one my books on watercolor and make greeting cards instead of painting on a canvas. These cards will be mailed on Monday as part of project to send encouragement to those in need of a good word.
Now you may ask what got my knickers in a not? Someone posted in the Facebook group for the watercolor challenge that people should be brave and paint harder subjects and stop painting safe. Well, what defines safe; and who is the one to define it? It takes a lot of courage to post your work among strangers, even if it is a dot on a page. The act of painting and then sharing is major; at least it is to me. Plus, this not a class, it is a fun challenge for artists at all levels.
There was a time a statement like that would send me into hiding for months (and it was not even personally directed at me). It is just the fact that as my daughter likes to say (and she is so right), we never know a person's backstory. What seems safe to one person could be a major challenge for someone else.
Each one of the cards below have things that could have been done better; backgrounds could be blended better; position on page could be in better proportion, etc. However, the fact that I did it means so much to me. And if have adopted the following attitude; I am doing the best I know how at this given moment and I am very proud of that.
I am so proud of all my art friends and always make sure to say an encouraging word. Why, because they may need that word on that day.
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| Watercolor Flower in Pot |
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| Flower with Blue Background |
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| Cute Little Birdie |
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| Simplicity |
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| Building Doodle on Watercolor Background |
So dear readers be careful. If you are an artist of any type; writer, chef, painter, jewelry maker, etc, think what you would want to hear and then act accordingly. Don't tell a person on Youtube they have a terrible voice or talk to much...if you do not like it, just don't watch. Everything we do is not going to be perfect (personally, I think perfect is overrated). Yet, and this is very important, we tried and that is taking a risk; that is not playing it safe.
Ok, I am off of my soapbox now. The smoke has cleared and on to another day of painting.
Until next time.....Pilgrim
4 comments:
How clever to think of making cards to send off to people needing encouragement! Always thinking, a aren't you! I especially like your bird! Such a happy little creature! Thanks for being brave and showing your work. We all encourage each other when we post our work.
XO
What a thoughtful post, Glenda, and such a gentle way to get your point across. I love it that you create to give away - that's something that's at the top of my list as well. And I can see the care in your posts and comments that you take your 'job' of uplifting other artists very seriously. Your kind words are legion and caring.
Thank you Michele and Win. i recently had a conversation along these lines with a dear friend. It opened my eyes to many things. Your kind words and friendship are always appreciated.
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