I can't really describe why I love painting so much. I think it's the making of something out of nothing. I love getting up close to a painting and maybe being able to take a glimpse inside the mind of the artist.. seeing how they were able to put a little piece of magic inside that work of art. I think maybe that is what I a chase by making art and trying to find that little speck of everything and put it inside a painting.
I remember the first time I saw a Jackson Pollock painting (the splatter guy-the picture below), I always thought that's not art- how easy is it to splat some paint on a painting? Well I can go on an tell you a ton of facts but none of it matters unless you go and see it. I can't even describe the moment that I walked into the Museum and saw one of his larger works and it was almost like everything was sucked out of the room. His work is about the energy that was put into the painting. That is all that really matters even though I have often wondered if there is a hidden aquatic scene underneath the splatter.
I love being an artist but I didn't even step foot into an art museum until I was over 18 and that was because my family growing up really wasn't into art. I painted all in my tweens and teens and used my allowance to buy canvas and art supplies, but never really thought about it. I just made it.
I think out of all the years of me showing my art work, my parents have only been to only 1 art show. I'm a grown up (I am I promise lol) and I understand that my parents won't ever really understand what I do. They are great parents but they just don't understand. I often think about how I felt when I did that first painting a really connected with. I think about the paintings and special moments that I can see the little hint of sparkle- and I love looking for that possibility.
photos courtesy of
pinterest
PS I'll show you tomorrow some sneak peaks of some of the paintings I have been working on. I would show you more often but a lot of the work I am working on is under top secret orders. :)
52 comments
i LOVE your love of art. It's just how I feel about it. I'm so intrigued by anything creative. I wrote about it earlier this year on my blog- Glad to be your newest follower! I pray I get to leave the cubicle grind too and continue to pursue photography and design. Beautiful blog!!
Ashley
http://laluceimagery.blogspot.com
P.S- I make and design handmade hair accessories. I would love for you to check it out and you can use the coupon code "thebeginning" to take 10% off anything you like. www.etsy.com/shop/lalucedesigns.
such beautiful paintings!
Can't wait to see your paintings! you are so talented.
I'm super excited to see you work!
You've hit on a lot of things in this post that really resonate with me. I LOVE to paint and although I may get angry at the process, I'm so enthralled with being able to create images with my own hands. I actually love Jackson Pollock's work and so know that feeling you are talking about. I got that same feeling after seeing a Mark Rothko painting for the first time in a museum, it was so overwhelming!
nice images and I look forward to seeing some of your new paitings
I really enjoyed this post; my parents are the same way. They won't ever really understand why I love to do what I want to do but the importance is that I'm doing it for me.
Amazing, i love jacksons stuff. so unconventional but its unreal. Very very nice post :]
Beautiful blog. I completely understand. My hope is that people like your parents (and mine) will someday find a piece they can really relate to and it will in turn change their mind.
Excited to see your paintings!! I totally know what you mean too :) I just love creating something out of nothing, something totally unique and that belongs to me, in a personal way.
xox dana
thewonderforest.com
Lovely. I always wished I could paint. Everyone finds their own way to express themselves I guess... some ways are just more obvious than others. Love that you enjoy your art!
This post is so honest and endearing! It makes me sad that your parents don't understand, or at least try, but Isuppose we can all relate somehow. Keep on making art, you're damn good at it :)
Oh I so wish I was a better painter..looks so therapeutic. I cant wait to see what you have been working on!
It's true you just can't explain Pollock - it's not something "my 2 year old could do"! The first one I saw in person was at the MOMA in NYC, it was surreal
Good for you for sticking to what you love despite the circumstances. I didn't go to my first art museum until I was 18 either (and it ended up being the NY Met!) Go big or go home I guess! hahaha Looking forward to seeing some sneak peaks. :)
i was brought up in a family that valued a Good Education and Proper Career. So while we were never discouraged from anything, it was certainly never put into our heads that art was an option for life.
i left psychology to enter a Fine Arts degree. Although my photography flourished, my painting was just an elective and i never saw myself as a painter/artist. abstract art wasn't ever touched upon. i painted the required scenes and sucked, but didn't care.
now i paint, collage, print.... and the styles are infinite, like Pollock.
oops, an essay.... lol ;)
I can't wait to see your work! I've always loved art, I'm always a sucker for buying new paints and canvas.
Great post. I know just how you feel, at one point I finally realized that is why I love making things so much. : )
What a lovely post<3
I love art so much! It's incredible what an image can do to a person. And I can relate to your Jackson Pollock story, I had the same thing with a Kandinsky. Never thought I'd like it, but when I saw it in real life I got blown away.
Anyway, look forward to see what you're working on. Good luck with all your projects!
what a great post -- i'm not a painter but as an artist i can totally relate. i look forward to seeing some work and following your progression! :)
You're absolutely right. Parents just don't understand some things.
http://mandycrandell.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/MandyCrandell
it's so cool that you love what you do! i suck at art! i think i can draw stick figures...
Even though I don't consider myself a painter, it is so relaxing to do! I know it's not the same, but I was painting picture frames and really enjoyed watching the colors create a brand new frame.
Loving this post and hearing about your art/paintings. Look forward to seeing some snaps soon!
x.o.x.o
Your art is beautiful! I love to paint - definitely not as good as you though. It's just so relaxing and fun to do. I can't wait to see some sneak peaks!
art is so important, i'm glad you discovered it regardless of what you were raised with! some of us are just born with that desire, i suppose! i can't wait to instill such things in my future children.
It's great to see so many talented artist out there. I think that with art our life would be so boring. My daughter has taken interest in painting, even though she's just two we love to explore all the possibilities of what she can create and we don't limit her to anything else but just what she's interested in. And now a days there is many forms of art. I can't wait to see what you've painted.
Jackie
That painting is incredible! I would just like to say thank you for your comment on my blog the other day. I can't wait to see some more of your artwork! :)
I just had to leave another comment as I've just been on your website. You are so talent, the paintings of Portland are amazing! I have totally fell in love with your work!!
there must be something in the water..Portland produces such amazing artistsx. Love your hands..work of art in themselves! Good lucky with your secret workxxlynda
this is beautiful! I've always wished i could paint, the way you speak about being an artist and how you feel when you paint it's lovely. i can't wait to see your work. i love these images they are wonderful!
I can not wait to see your new paintings, I will be waiting :]
-thelittlepetite.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the comment!
love love the paintings in your portfolio.. beautiful:).Some are like an old nostalgic song...they got their own little souls:)
love love LOVE the top photo! I would love to be a painter but nothing ever comes out how it is in my head :) I do love paint on my hands, the texture of it, the look of it... such a beautiful pic!
Such a nice post too on how sometimes family and friends don't get what it is us creatives do :)
I wish I could paint. And I wish I had a cute well dressed child that could paint too (make mama some money ;)
P.S. I was just over at Jessi's blog telling her to name her Blythe doll Sookie and I saw your comment. We are so smart.
I used to really enjoy painting! I keep meaning to pick up paints for Nolan and I to finger paint with. I must get on that!
I love your blog<3
I have such great admiration for artists like you. And my sister! She's an artist too :)
I was a "late bloomer" myself when it came to "doing" art...going to museums and the like wasn't something my parents did with us as well...
Love your paintings...can't wait to see more!!
You art is lovely! Talking about Pollock, eventough only splashing paint but he's great painter. he's been through many paths and the splashing is his representative of rage. I can splash paint but I'm not Pollock, I can't sell my painting. Lol
No shortcut in art, that's what I believe.
dita
I've never been really good at painting. Lovely post by the way. :D
I can't wait to see some of your stuff! That first picture is my favorite, it is really neat!
There definately something magic about painting... I've only just dicovered it.. better late than never hey! I love that first image of the paint all over the hands.. I love accidently getting paint on me... it makes me smile when I discover it later on in the day :D Can't wait to see what you have been up to!
hello lovely erika. thanks so much for your post on my blog. i hope youll come back and be a follower! :)
i love your love for art, creativity, imagination and passion are so important.
have a great weekend.
eleanor xo
mirrorofmyworld.blogspot.com
Making something out of nothing is a great activity because once this something is created it feels so rewarding!
i have the same feeling about pollock - "oh that's easy, not art", and then you see on and are mesmerized. one of my favorites.
I've given you an award :)
http://rebeccaarmstrongx.blogspot.com/2011/07/award-no4.html
I love it how the fact that you didn't visit art shows as a kid or a teen didn't stop you to become an artist! :)
So happy to have a fellow blogger who appreciates art. That photo is absolutely incredible. I remember studying Polluck in college!
thank goodness you found your way to art and have the confidence to pursue it. i wonder how many people have a creative talent, but never uncover it? i suppose that can apply to anything from accounting to marketing to plumbing?
i love how jackson pollock is smoking a cigarette while he's painting, although i think smoking is bad.
I thought the same thing about Jackson Pollock, but there is no denying that is work is amazing. Have you seen the documentary What the &^%$ is a Pollock? It's pretty interesting if you have the time to watch it!
Whoops! Actually it is called "Who the *$&% Is Jackson Pollock?"
I have the same feeling about Rothko. The idea of his paintings was stupid to me. Then i saw one in person and was just moved to tears. Whenever i need a pick me up or a moment of introspection....thats what i want.
Erika, what a heartfelt and honest post. Yes. I hear you about following your heart and good for you girl for doing what you know is the only thing you can do.
And Jackson Pollack is my all time favourite artist in the whole world. I am mesmerized by his paintings. And no, it is not easy to splatter paint and have it come out not looking like crap.
xoxo
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