I value this entire post & look fwd yet to the vids, yet what resounds most vibrantly in me, because of an experience today, is your closing on accidents and mistakes. I was quickly painting a pair of greeting cards for a son's friend Ted & his wife. I have adored Ted for 2 decades. His body now is rife with cancer. My son told me that Ted is dying, & concerned for his wife who is so worried about him that she ignores self-care. Well, I spilled masking fluid on the front of one card while masking narrow rays of light before the light wash. Walked away to let it dry, puzzling how to fix it. After I removed masking, the spill had made the arm of God reaching down from heaven, palm up, gently outstretched. I accentuated it, amazed and grateful. That card earned its sealing wax on its own.
(*Watercolorists call these gifts “happy accidents” when we like them. Otherwise, we call them “mistakes” or “disasters”. But in art, a “mistake” is just a surprise that you’re not sure you can use. Sometimes you can’t. Other times, the challenge of working with a “disaster” can lead to a really wonderful painting that you could never have planned.)
I just read this and can’t wait to see the videos over tea in a little while!!!! Love that image of wandering around in the magical forest with a pen light! I can totally relate!
Thanks, Barbara! That's one brave person who slogged their way through the whole post. Bravo! :D I re-read it this morning and now I'm really second-guessing whether this is going to make sense to anyone. I'll be curious to hear whether the videos helped at all.
I value this entire post & look fwd yet to the vids, yet what resounds most vibrantly in me, because of an experience today, is your closing on accidents and mistakes. I was quickly painting a pair of greeting cards for a son's friend Ted & his wife. I have adored Ted for 2 decades. His body now is rife with cancer. My son told me that Ted is dying, & concerned for his wife who is so worried about him that she ignores self-care. Well, I spilled masking fluid on the front of one card while masking narrow rays of light before the light wash. Walked away to let it dry, puzzling how to fix it. After I removed masking, the spill had made the arm of God reaching down from heaven, palm up, gently outstretched. I accentuated it, amazed and grateful. That card earned its sealing wax on its own.
(*Watercolorists call these gifts “happy accidents” when we like them. Otherwise, we call them “mistakes” or “disasters”. But in art, a “mistake” is just a surprise that you’re not sure you can use. Sometimes you can’t. Other times, the challenge of working with a “disaster” can lead to a really wonderful painting that you could never have planned.)
What a wonderful story! Thanks so much for sharing it. I am sure that card will be treasured.
I just read this and can’t wait to see the videos over tea in a little while!!!! Love that image of wandering around in the magical forest with a pen light! I can totally relate!
Thanks, Barbara! That's one brave person who slogged their way through the whole post. Bravo! :D I re-read it this morning and now I'm really second-guessing whether this is going to make sense to anyone. I'll be curious to hear whether the videos helped at all.
It makes sense to me. And it is really good to have options. Sometimes plan, sometimes wing it, or a combination of both. More on videos soon.