I was worried I had forayed backwards with this one, but the limited palette and the bubbles created a new narrative, a softer one than before. What do you think?
After two years of chaos and only the great outdoors for a studio, I finally have a small space to work in. It’s temporary, hopefully I’ll have a larger one in a year, but any consistent space is glorious!
But space isn’t everything…
With so much time and so many changes, the artist has changed and so must the work. I struggled with what to do. Jumping in and doing things as I has always done felt, well – WRONG.
I was stuck and feeling like there was nothing I had to say. After a project like “Once Imagined“, I felt disconnected in this new place and from the process of art making. I was asking myself – was I done? Was my mojo gone? Does what I do have any meaning? Can I connect again? These questions were driven a bit by the disappointment of being let down by some people that I counted on. There were moments where I was contemplating whether I should quit.
I did a lot of thinking. I did a lot of reading. I needed some help.
I joined a program that offered an opportunity to work on the why and the what – both technical and creative (I’ll get into that more another time). The experimental elements are bleeding over into the representational and it is a chance to tap into a part of my world I have simply ignored while I was so busy looking outside of myself.
I love the representational – that doesn’t change – but I like a little magic…
The last few weeks have been highly experimental. Using both full colour and limited palettes, it has challenged the way I think about my subject matter, backgrounds and colour.
I need to reconnect. So, blindly, now I wander through the tunnels of my underworld. Will there be monsters? This part of the story is going to be an adventure.
We begin in the undergrowth, through the ivy of imagination winding its way into the real. The classic silver pitcher, above, has a background of softly defined elements that mirror the abstracted reflections in the pitcher, the background creeping into the foreground?
Wait, what?
There will be much more to come. We will go deeper. I am hoping you’ll stick with me during this journey. I don’t know where it’s going to go, but I can guarantee it will be interesting.
Some of the captions of the paintings here will talk a bit about them.
What do you see?
It was suggested to me that these were the bubbles of hope rising from beneath the frozen surface.
Awesome post Michelle.
Congratulations on getting back your mojo!
Thanks, Anita! 🙂
I was going to say that looks like a Monet! Love these works, b/w or colours. Love that pitcher. And the play board? I like the colours and textures. 🙂
I’m so excited to see where this leads. Thanks, Arti! 🙂
Sometimes when we have been on a creative high , it is a challenge to find the next hill or mountain- and one has to go into the valley to be able to soar again.
Lovely way to put it Sharon!
You seem to be opening your heart and your paint brushes together and the outpouring is amazing . Cannot wait to see what is next..
I think part of that opening can only come when encourage the things that nourish and support you and close the door on the things that don’t.
Glad that you didn’t give up 🙂 and that last painting def has a feel to it, its very ethereal
Thanks! Me too… 🙂
Dear Michelle,
I LOVE the “Once Imagined” as it brings out the “Old Soul” in our hearts.
You are on another chapter in your life and sounds like you have been
through a lot. As Frank Cooper would have said “Soldier On” and don’t
give up. I love the one painting you did which yes, does look like a Monet!
Beautiful work.
All the best to you. You are an amazing talented artist and kind hearted
“Old Soul” and you will continue to create well.
All the best Michelle
Shawn
Thanks so much Shawn! 🙂