Finishing Touches

Putting the finishing touches on the final piece for Ayrspace Gallery in Ontario.  By tomorrow the work should be on its merry way to Ontario.  So excited!

It's always interesting to me how the process of painting tends to resemble a love/hate relationship.  Beginning can be intimidating when I am facing a blank canvas...and then I add colour which looks stunning against the white.  Then I add more colour and I begin to question my colour selection...but by layer number three or four I begin to love it again.  And then I add the image and question the choice I've made...and begin adding more colour and once again I'm in love.  But I begin to feel that I'm hiding too much of the original pattern that I enjoyed adding so much, so I add in more once again. And then I'm uncertain and hide some more, and add some more until I begin to fall in love again. 

It's at this point that I begin to feel that the work is complete.  I really do love the work...the entire process.  And I've learned to appreciate the love/hate part of the process, too.  It's during these times that I know wherein lies great inspiration.  This is the point where I have learned not to give up.  I think much of life is very much this way...the times I feel absolutely horrible in the pit of my stomach usually precede great moments and huge break-throughs both personally and creatively for me.  I've learned at these times to be patient with myself and to trust and allow whatever needs to happen. 

Recently I read a psychological account of how every relationship works in this way.  Originally in a new friendship, intimate relationship, work environment, education or workshop there is a looking through rose-coloured glasses period which is followed by seeing flaws in every one and every thing.  These are often the times we want to give up and yet, in a mature human being, this is a critical time to continue on, to pay attention and have compassion for both ourselves and others, and to blossom.  Sometimes it does mean moving on...both personally and creatively...and at other times it means digging in and working harder...to quote Winston Churchill, "Never, never, never give up."  The fun part is that each of us get to make our own choices.