TSoT = The Story of Trees
I am smiling with a little “hesitation in my heart” this morning when I look at the title of this work: New Adventure. “What was I thinking when I gave it this title?” As a teacher who believes it is important to look for new challenges and adventures (and I am sure that all human beings adhere to this sentiment too), the work that goes into “all that” suddenly bulged a little out of proportion in my mind’s eye this morning. I suppose as creatives or active people (in whatever domain) we all somehow stumble upon the big questions related to our work or our life’s mission, especially when we feel tired or discouraged, for example: “Is it all worth it? Will I risk it one more time?”
Fortunately, the “meaningless possibility” always disappears (I think) when we see yet another winding road laden with opportunities that beckons us forward; each time the colourful hope that something wonderful and fulfilling is (yet again) around the corner convinces us to take up our creative gear and we willingly trade our fear of failure for what will be our new adventure. We saddle up! This new adventure is so particular to each one of us; we can share the outcomes of our new adventures, but our roads diverge, leading us to through the peculiar frustration and hopefully gently to the completion of our chosen creative challenge.
Yesterday, as I was preparing the photographs and images for this blog, I remember the frustration I experienced when I tried to adequately portray the dead grey branches and tree trunks which fill the top right-hand corner of this work. It seemed as if I could not get those branches and dead wood dark enough. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I try to use the “traditional” method (if it still exists) by building the work up from light to dark. I do not interfere with the drying process; I wait. Waiting is not always that easy, but I suppose it is part of a new adventure too, because we don’t know when the “good stuff” is going to happen. As you can see, I eventually got it to a measure of “personal perfection” and I trust I learned something from my New Adventure.
I wanted to say a lot more, but I think I have to reign myself in. Now that I look at the complete work, the contrast between the “busy” dark dead branches and the open cleaner road creates a feeling of peace in my mind, but when I was concentrating and darkening the colours I added to the brush repeatedly, I did not know that one day I would think it is a peaceful work, and I did not see it as a “new adventure”, because the effort that was required, tinged my mind with a hue of fatigue .
I think I will end off with a little shocking statement by Marcus Purvis, “Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you.” (https://globalcastaway.com/adventure-quotes/) Once again, I have added a few links to my Shopify-store and there you may see New Adventure in a new light too. I hope to meet you in another watercolour landscape soon. Oh, it seems I have almost forgotten my “motto”: Remember, there is Art in your heArt.
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