Your probably sick of all the vintage stuff this week, or maybe not! that's why you visit me right? cause you like what I share? well I figured I better switch it up a bit and remind you all that I'm still here on the blog for a main purpose which is my artistic talent and the creations I paint from such said talent.
In a previous post I mentioned and shared with you my love for Peonie blooms and the great opportunity that came to me from the word of a friend to enter a piece to the Art of the Heirloom art show. Of course this is a juried decision whether or not it is accepted, and whether or not this piece will be mailed to California where it will be privy to hanging in the Art of the Heirloom second annual art show is for now unknown!
I put this painting off for so long it's not even funny. Afraid of the intricate folds and flower petals I had managed to duplicate from some real life photographs I took this spring, I was actually fearing painting them in. Stupid fear... stupid human anxiety ridden fears!
The deadline loomed and there the painting sat on my easel, background painted in and flowers drawn but no main flower color put in. It sat, and sat, and sat... until I thought I would almost not to do it at all. Until I thought about it once more and thought a second thought...
Am I going to allow the fear of something prevent me in participating and possibly being chosen to hang my art in such a public well know, well promoted, well visited art venue?
HELL NO!
And why do we let fear rule our lives? we all do it... it's just in some of us our sense of fear is stronger than others. Anxiety, a daily nuisance of mine that I like to think I fool you all about, makes my sense of fear a misguiding factor. I feel it all the time, so for me, fears come t0o easily. It's my choice though to let it rule me or not, as it is also your choice to make active choices in breaking your non useful cycles.
Sooooo that being said... I hiked up my big girl panties, mixed some pinks up and got down to business. Not being formally trained (not that I care), my first worry was do I start with shadows or highlights first? I decided shadows and started placing them in. Noticing it might take several coats I took a step backwards, slathered a layer of clear gesso onto my blooms and returned to work.
It seemed to just flow naturally from there, the colors blended perfectly and the hues looked so accurate. And accuracy is important here as one of the guidelines for the artwork being submitted is it must model an actual heirloom flower. It can't look sort of like it, it's got to be d@mn near close or spot on. Atleast that's how I feel about... maybe that's just the anal virgo in me!
It's not done... I'm still standing so close to the deadline that I can smell it's breath... but I'll get it done. I am confident of that, and when it is I will be sure to share the finished product with you.
I understand how you might feel a lot of pressure and fear for an event like this, but it looks like you really have nothing to worry about;) This really is stunning! Good luck finishing it, and yes, please do post a picture once it's done!
And anal virgo, haha?! That's just what I needed to hear this morning!
Posted by: Blue Eyed Night Owl | 07/29/2012 at 04:52 AM
It's beautiful already.
Posted by: Rachel | 07/29/2012 at 07:49 PM
Anal virgos are my favourites! (Though it does sound a bit dodgy put like that!) My hubby is one, as you know :)
You are doing a wonderful job of conquering your fears and creating something beautiful! It is glorious and I can't wait to see the finished piece.
Posted by: Suki | 08/01/2012 at 03:53 AM
Ha Ha @ your love of my anal virgo comment! It's the only part of me that is truly Virgo, otherwise I don't really act like one.
Posted by: Ashlie | 08/04/2012 at 06:19 PM