Children are naturally, instinctively creative. But creativity is harder to come by as an adult, at least it is for me, what with “grownup” inhibitions and fears getting in the way. But I love classical still lifes, and I will never have the money to own one of them, so when the opportunity came in the Berkshires to learn how to paint them, I fearfully but stubbornly jumped at it.
This is one of my early chiaroscuro efforts in oils, and it’s one I like a lot because I think the pears have personality. I call it Angry Pears, and I really enjoy my painted anger.
For several years I continued painting in this vein, with murky backgrounds from which emerge dramatically spotlit fruits or pottery and other objects. And then we went for a month out of the grim New England winter into the brilliant sunlight of San Miguel de Allende, a colonial city in the central highlands of Mexico.
That first visit to Mexico I went wild with my camera, with earth tones and vivid colors and all the light! Brilliant unsparing light — Suddenly I was disenchanted with painting in chiaroscuro, and found myself pining for the light. When we went to San Miguel for a month the following winter I found a wonderful teacher, Edgar Soberon, whose still lifes were suffused with light and color. Under his guidance I abandoned my somber palette in favor of in-your-face brilliance, and this was the painting that resulted:
Then, curiously, having satisfied my urge to own a classical still life, and my urge to recreate some of Mexico’s brilliant colors, I discovered that I had no more questions to ask in painting. I’ve turned instead to photography, with its infinite challenges and encouragements to creativity, and so far it has been the most satisfying medium of all.
These are wonderful. Whatever brings you joy. I’m finding that to be most important.
Right on, Gemma!
(Write on, paint on, draw on, knit on, quilt on — whatever brings you joy!)
Agreed! Rock on Gemma and Judith! 🙂
Going for the joy!
YEAH!
Fascinating how the creativity journey wanders through our life.
I always wished mine had been a straight line along a broad highway —
but it hasn’t been that way, and I guess that’s okay.
Yours likewise?
I think mine has been a circle within a circle that sometimes circled back on itself. Lately, though, more of a meandering path than an incessant circling and I’m enjoying that.
Meander is good — gives you time to smell the roses, and really admire the view —
😉
yes, and I’m enjoying that a lot and want more of it.
And so you shall have it! Onward!
thanks friend.
I love both these paintings, and I’m happy for you that you had that period and even got closure to it. I too, found photography, and I don’t see that going away any time soon. For years, my creativity outlet was to create graphics in Photoshop. That came to a close when the camera entered..
Your switch from Photoshop graphics to the camera was radical. I think you’re a fabulous photographer with many strengths — often technically, often in your deep feeling for natural wonders (tides, fog) and most of all your incredible rapport with birds and animals —
Never knew anyone who got acquainted with so many eagles!
brilliant paintings!
Thank you, young witch.
😉
I love still life, and yours are sensational.The first one reminds me of the old school masters, and the second one of Matisse and Cezanne. Keep painting!! – rita
http://gauchomarx.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the kind words, Rita, and for the visit.
Both much appreciated!
You are one of the most talented people I know – your unerring eye for color and composition, your marvelous use of the language, your quick wit, all make you a most charming friend!
I see this as a portrait parlé of yourself!
O wad some pow’r the giftie gie us, to see ourselves as ithers see us —-
Lest we wonder from where your grandchildren get their talent! Look at you! Being one of little painterly skills, I am wicked impressed! : )
In many ways it was great fun. I’d always wondered how it would feel to slather on lots of nice gooey oil paints with a big brush. But there’s so much cleanup! And I had no dedicated space, and it was really messy — so after maybe four years my anal toilet training finally kicked in, and kicked me out.:-(
The camera is so much easier and cleaner 😉