Courage

The courage to create a new beginning.

Talk about it one too many times and it looses its power.

Courage.

Discipline.

Do it or don't talk about it.

And yes, these are the words I say to myself. 

The first week is done and that included our first art meet up of the year! Woohoo! It's been a long time since I last mingled with the lovely creative souls. Being around the great group we built and meeting new people is such a great feeling. 

As usual, my plans or ideas don't appear until atleast a layer of paint and gesso are laid down. This first week has been quite a challenge. My daily routine is changing, new habits are trying to be formed and well, life is just different. It was very productive but the time spent laying in complete silence and tuning into me was the most healing. The emotions distracted by being "busy" finally hit the surface and I found myself bawling my eyes out. Talk about healing. It's actually quite refreshing.

So when I started painting I let those emotions revisit. The mismatched paper was my way of expressing that nothing has to be perfect. Things may be scattered everywhere around me but they somehow work together. They all hold a different importance in my life and are defiantly unique. 

The leaves of the newly bloomed flower signifies growth. We all know that saying "Bloom where you are planted." At one point the sand was soft enough for the plant to grow easily. In time the weather changed and came the rain, snow and negative temperatures that harden the dirt. Now I am stuck under this heavy solid slab of dirt called a rock. This rock is my challenge. I know that with the courage and discipline I will bloom where I am planted. 

The stenciled design shows me the sun rises everyday. Today may have not been the best but the next day can be. My daily actions will be the water that will feed and nourish my mind, body and soul.

It takes one day and today I will try again.

"Bloom where you are planted"

xo-Starlynn

Watercolor Week 6: The Last Day But Only The Beginning

 The last day of watercolor class has come. This post was meant for the end of summer but somehow was lost in the mess. 

Continuing with the last class meet up, I worked on the tulip and learned how to work in sections. It's important to plan out what areas need to be painted to avoid paints blending together. I loved how everything flowed. 

Each petal testing me and tried to outdo the other. One petal formed so easily while the other makes you want throw paint. Have you ever been in that situation? No one ever want to work together. But that's what I love about art. It always pushes you to the end. 

The stem was by far the hardest. As you can see it was not completed. I had to go back and erase all the paint that ad been laid down. It just wasn't working out. Tell me how you cope with getting through things like this? I had to step away because I feared that the paper would be overworked. Everything else around the stem looked so beautiful. 

Challenges. 

The stem of the tulip was left to dry. I couldn't add another layer with all the frustration built up. 

Like in life, you sometimes need to just breathe. A good 10 minutes of fresh air and deep breathing does wonders.

The last assignment of our watercolor adventures. Drew up a toucan and added the first layers of paint. I haven't gone back to complete this painting. I'm excited to get back and finish it though.

This class was so much fun! I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm so happy that I decided to take the class. Our teacher was so patient and helpful with all the questions we asked. My fellow painters were the best!

Our little group stemmed from a bi-weekly art meet up. Slowly we grew into a large fun group of art loving people. Grateful for them all. I don't even want to think of where be without this group. 8 months ago I googled "art groups" in my area. I was lead to a local meet up group and with pushing the fear aside I signed up. I had no idea what would come but I was so excited. 

Have you ever met people or gone to a place and immediately felt at home? Your happy and feel safe? I felt exactly that when I went to the art studio. Everyone understood what I talked about. We could make corny art jokes or be "weird" and no one said a thing. By the time it ended I was filled with energy, positivity, motivation and a comfor of being home. I knew this place was where I was suppose to be.

The months have quickly passed on by and I have continued with the art meet ups. I'm pretty sure I won't be leaving them anytime soon. They motivate me. They inspire. They accept. 

xo-Starlynn