The prompt this week at Inspire Me Thursday is "bold". Instead of a new creative interpretation of the prompt, I decided this time to offer what has become part of my creative process in recent months. This tiny (3 in. x 3 in.) Prismacolor pencil drawing of bold color and movement is actually part of my journey back to art after a long creative famine. I'll try to keep the story short!
In 2005 we were living on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi when Hurricane Katrina devastated the region. We were very lucky (didn't even have to file an insurance claim!), but I was shocked by the devastation in my community and in my neighborhood. I had already been struggling creatively, but suddenly I was paralyzed by the pain of my neighbors and friends, and by the stories of suffering that I heard first-hand every day. So I went to work, or waited in long lines to buy groceries, or drove along the beach looking for familiar places that no longer existed, but didn't make art. Many people find this sort of event creatively stimulating, but I simply could not pick up a pencil or a paintbrush, or even take out my sewing machine. I struggled even harder than before, trying to find a way to put something to paper or canvas, and several months later, after moving back to Alabama, I pulled myself together and decided that I would have to tackle this problem one small step at a time. So every day my goal was to make a tiny piece of art, no matter how simple, and what you see here is my very first attempt. After that, even if I just painted a bold square of color on a scrap of canvas, that was enough. And although I still struggle with ideas more often than not, I at least have a process that lets my mind get in the right place for making art. Now I really enjoy making small things, such as little drawings or itty-bitty craft projects, some of which I may be sharing in a few days.
Oh, and by the way, staying home during a powerful hurricane when you live only a couple of miles from the beach? Really bad idea.
15 comments:
Cheryl...
What a wonderful piece...and I was touched by the story...One step at a time...But the blues and the oranges...strikes a Huge cord in me!!
BEAUTIFUL!
I loved the colors you used as well as the shape. There is a fluidity and motion. Thank you for sharing your story. I have found at times heartache can create a creative drout as it absorbs those waters, which flow out in our process. I am glad your well is being restored.:D
I love the itty bitty drawing. I still have the 3x3 black and white rose you gave me in Pa. I live the new one. Colors are vibrant. Keep up the good works. A. Dottie
So glad to hear you are getting back to creating art, you are so talented. Know what you mean about staying home I was in South Florida for Andrew, never again. Glad to hear your neighborhood is coming back, it is a long and slow process and everyone deals with it in their own way.
There is so much positive movement in this piece! To look at it here I think of it as 4' x4'! Your post was beautiful, authentic and powerful. Thank you for sharing!
You have made a great piece of art there which seems, together with your story, to say to me everything art and being creative should be about.
I've also just come back to painting after a long drought and its a great idea to just maybe do a small piece of art each day to keep creative. I'll keep this is mind. Thank you so much for this post. :)
Cheryl,
Your story is touching. I can only imagine what that must have been like for you and your neighbors as you witnessed the whole thing.
Your art is gorgeous! I love the colors and the design...and I too like the tiny art. Hmm, I have the "scholar" Prismacolor pencils...but hadn't used yet. You always inspired me! ..and...I didn't know you could use them on canvas! -- I will check that out.
Good for you for finding your way back to your creative soul. The symbols that come out of you will inform and guide you every step of the way to where you want to be. Please do keep me posted.
Welcome back to the creative world. That picture was a beautiful start. If you want some more inspiration then you might like to visit this brilliant site : http://www.wetcanvas.com/
Thanks also for visiting my blog. I haven't even got past this first picture yet, but I'm going there right now :-)
Di
This is really lovely and captivating.
your story took my breath away. I am so glad you found your way back to your art....this piece is wonderful.
What wonderful colors and motion. I'm glad you're finding your way back to creating....
stunning artwork and thanks for sharing your story too.
Great piece! I love the colours!
Cheryl
Thanks for sharing your story - I cannot begin to think what that devastation must have looked like when it was so close to home.
I really love this piece - it strikes me as 'turmoil' though and I can see from what you said why.
You are very talented so please don't lose hope xx
Your story and your art show bold strokes of brillance. I'm glad you found your way back to creative living. Your art proves it was well worth the trip.
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