The past 6 weeks have been a challenge with my trying to recover from pneumonia and dealing with a remodel in my downstairs. I have been lazing on the couch watching TV with the sounds of construction in the background.. Believe me, this scenario does not increase one’s creativity. But each morning I have tried to do at least some painting just because I have to in order to keep my sanity!.
I have been painting old familiar themes such as the.beach scene above. It feels good to put paint to paper no matter if I have painted similar works before.
Sometimes students or artist friends tell me that they are not painting, feel bad about it, but can’t seem to get restarted.. It occurred to me that revisiting a theme might be a good way to begin painting again. Maybe even repeating the same composition, because with watercolor, no two paintings are ever exactly alike. Just getting in the studio and brushing on color might get creativity re-started,.
KC
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That sounds like good advice! Keep painting, no matter what else happens. Like life. Here’s hoping you will be fully recovered soon and off the couch. You will live through the remodeling and will see how much was accomplished. Been there, done that.
It’s been so long since I’ve painted that I’m fearful that I’ve lost my touch and anything I do will look totally juvenile. I guess I just need to do it and see but I can’t seem to get motivated. It feels like I’m starting all over again 😬 I need someone to cheer me on I guess!
My advice is to start painting something that you have succeeded at in the past. It might take more than a few tries but you will probably find that the ability returns. Best of luck with this!
It’s even harder if you have a stroke affecting your right hand and need to start over painting with your left hand. Any suggestions?
So sorry to hear that this happened to you. My suggestion is that you start painting with your left hand. Some artists actually do this in order to get a different type of look to their work and some teachers recommend it as an exercise. Don’t give up as it will probably take awhile to get the look you want. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you Kathy, this is exactly what I need to do after my own lack of incentive to paint for some time now. Your blogs are always greatly inspiring and very much appreciated!
I paint and then I don’t paint for long periods when I am distracted by life events. Your blog always inspires me. Hope you are well soon.