Inspiration Fridays! Can your painting teach you something?
Can your painting teach you something?
Inspiration to paint lives in everything. The world around me, the life I aspire to live, and even the parts of myself I would rather forget. My best works respond to the reality in front of me – my world of now. This is the work that has its own pulse.
“The painter has the Universe in his mind and hands.” – Leonardo da Vinci.
I dig around in my psyche for the story. And wait for it to unfold on the canvas. The painting process unearths buried parts of myself. My subconscious is reflected back in my artwork.
Sometimes it takes years for the story to make sense. I don’t always have the luxury of perspective in the moment. These creations provide insight into who I was at the time of painting, and how I felt about the world.
The Siren – 48′ x 48′ – Oil on Linen
Our paintings are a personal blend of ideas and elements. We get to create a new world for others to explore. It feels vulnerable but once the painting leaves our nest, there’s no ‘incorrect’ interpretation. The brilliance lies in the viewer’s ability to construct meaning.
The narrative revealed in a painting is as varied in meaning as the people standing in front of it. Even the smallest shift in placement or scale can alter the viewer’s perception. It’s this shared experience and transformative potential that makes painting exhilarating.
Experimentation is key. Try mixing in characters from old sketches or photographs. Consider the impact of a change in setting. Get inspired by magazines or movies, and feel free to fill your wall with print-outs of your favorite stills.
Painting is a refuge from the mundane and also a celebration of its beauty. Revel in your sorted tales and delicate romances! Create your world, and remember there are no boundaries in art.