This painting is still far from complete but something has begun. The figure stirs in the primordial mud.
I began with Flora Bowley. Her wonderful book 'Brave Intuitive Painting' loosened me up. Her web page is crammed full of inspiration.
Then I joined not one but TWO local art groups. Just in perfect time for.....the summer break.
They got me connecting with my neglected supplies and socialising. Oh that felt good! Scary too. it is many moons since I made art in public.
i was thrown back on my own resources. The Universe has a definite agenda here....
I set up a work space to experiment with a small (6x6ins) canvas. Doable. Not intimidating.
I had painted the rook. It's in a previous post. I was encouraged. Then tried a dog. I just couldn't get it to work. he's squinting at you here.
Anyway. I grabbed supplies and painted the sparrow. The opportunity to enjoy demonstrations was lovely but I was questioning everything. WTF?
I challenged myself in the second group. Lots of drawing. Then I found the image of the woman from Chile. I enjoyed pushing myself to connect with her and play in the shadows of her hat.
And then. Oh BAD painting. What a vital step in the whole saga.
I return often to Carol Marine's book 'Daily Painting'. Inspired I set up the studio.
Oh my. Disaster. I have a squint. Using a viewfinder drove me crazy. After days all I had was a headache and a painting so bad that it now makes me laugh. My castrated courgette.
Then up popped Gwenn Seemel.
WOW!
Her site is great. Her blog is amazing and her TED talk with matching video compulsory viewing.
I felt as if she had given me permission to paint.
So yesterday I played with a calf. He didn't fit on the canvas and I kept going anyway because I was having fun. i stopped because I had to go out. Yes I was late...but more content than for a long time.
I feel as if a door has cracked open. It's a new beginning.

I'm off to play.