Author: Cheryl

Wind-and-water200sq

Perfectionism is Creativity’s Wicked Step Sister

Cheryl
“How we think our art and writing should look, and what actually happens is often out of our control. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be something as good or better than we planned. If we are attached to the vision of what it MUST look like, we are robbing ourselves of the pleasure that can come from going with the flow… and accepting it for the wonder of what it is.” Check out the full article here: The Blog from Jill Badonsky 
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The Uncluttered Mind

Cheryl
I’ve been thinking more about the article that is the previous blog post – “Tips to Find Your Flow”. Especially the decluttering of the mind part. Lately, I’ve been more intentional about being in the moment. When alone, which is often when I go for a walk, I sense the breeze and the sun on my skin and am glad to be alive. When with friends and family, I am more aware of how much I enjoy their presence. I was aware of these things before, but now I am treasuring them. Savouring them -yes! That’s the best word. The result? The joy meter is gradually rising. One day at a time, one moment at a time, an uncluttered mind can find so many reasons to be thankful. 
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Changing It Up

Cheryl
In the recent Fruit Flowers & Crystal Class, the students worked step by step through a previous painting of mine that included a crystal bowl. I demonstrated with acrylic on canvas, and used the same palette of oranges and purples. On the last day, I thought I would have some fun and work on top of the acrylic with oil paints. This is a great method for making radical changes to a painting. The oil gives fast coverage for any changes. It also gives the opportunity to more easily add softer less defined edges. Included here is a thumbnail of my original painting, and a larger copy of the oil painting that was done on top. It was a fun and freeing process.