Author: Cheryl
High on Wonder
I’m one of those people who never stops being amazed by rainbows – and a lot of other wonderful things. Some people seem to imply that it’s childish of me, but I’ve never felt ashamed of this aspect of who I am. Now experiments have shown that people who experience awe are more likely to be empathetic. So, here’s hoping that you get a dose of wonder today and replenish that kindness in you that the world needs. (If you would like to read more about this, here is the article: High on Wonder – People Who Experience Awe are Nicer Better People. )
Terrified?
Thanks for the quote A Mighty Girl.
Perception
I’ve been pondering, just a little, the fact that we each live our lives inside our own head. Being human means that we are very limited in our understanding. Most of us have learned some things in some areas of life in order to be able to function. I’m not going so far down this path as to say we are not really here. I think we are really here, we just are not able to know what ‘here’ means. When I paint a painting, chances are that you don’t even perceive the colours in the same way that I do. And that’s a fairly basic type of knowing that depends on the rods and cones in our eyes. When we get into more complex issues – we are into a vast deep ocean of unknowing. So I think I’ll just take some time to enjoy the sunshine on the shore, and you are welcome to join me.
Creativity
Thanks to the Lambeth Art Association for the quote.
Legoland Hotel – really.
I know this one is way outside of the box (or, comes in a box) – but all those colourful bricks are kind of artsy, and hey, it’s just plain creative too!
Check it out here: Florida’s Legoland Hotel
10 Ideas for Painting Inspiration
Some ideas to inspire you.
1. Look up. What’s happening in the sky right now? Grab a big brush and make big sweeping marks to express a sky. Give it a very low horizon with hardly any land.
2. Look down. Paint a picture of your feet or your shoes. Van gogh did a great painting of muddy boots.
3. Look small. What small object is near you that could be interesting to paint. Paint it way bigger than life.
4. Look inside. What’s in your fridge that might be fun to paint? Set up a still life. Cut that fruit or vegetable in half and include some of the inside of it in the painting too.
5. Look for flowers. Go to your garden or a store and get yourself some nice flowers. You might even paint them.
6. Look colourful. Precoat your canvas with a colour you love. Let that dry then work on top using complimentary colours. (Research complimentary colours if needed.) Be careful to leave some of the undercolour showing everywhere.
7. Look happy. What makes you smile? Paint it.
8. Look serious. What issues concern you? Can you paint them?
9. Have fun. What do you love to do? Can you paint that? Or can you paint how it makes you feel?
10. Don’t wait for the muse – just paint and the muse will blush when it catches up to you!
