I’ve always admired Maxfield Parrish’s work. His paintings are very luminous, alive and vibrant. This is due to his technique of using oils and varnish between the layers of color.
I spent some time in the studio today experimenting with watercolor in an attempt to emulate this look. It’s not that easy. Watercolor works much differently in that the colors can blend.
In this study I first laid down the dark areas then, after some drying time, came back with the lighter colors of sunshine. In hindsight I learned that it would be better with this medium to first put down the light colors then use the dark color to define the shapes of the rocks and valleys. I’ll try this method next time.
I had hoped that last year I could find time to create more art but it just didn’t happen. Life got in the way. As John Lennon said in a song “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”. So true…
This year I’m making time to be creative by cutting my work week to 4 days with Fridays off.
I need to create a body of work so that I can get it out to the public. I’m also taking better care of my body/mind/spirit. I’m 66 years old and things have certainly changed. I find that I have to maintain this body a bit more than I have been. It’s part of life.
Creating more art is good for this new era of self care. I have a mantra that I repeat daily:
“I am healthy and wealthy with an abundance of free time to be creative and enjoy life!
This, or something better, now manifests for me in totally satisfying and harmonious ways,
for the highest good of all concerned”
I’m looking forward to creating….
Another “new” year with all of the change and resolutions that come with it. Mostly, just some different time reference numbers to remember that we will inevitably screw up at some point.
A big shift is in store for me in 2025. I just completed my 65th orbit of the Sun and time is indeed speeding up! This new artistic endeavor is a result of realizing that life is indeed short and it’s important to leave something behind. So, I’ll be sharing my art with everyone with a few goals in mind.
– Spend more time creating art
– Spend less time “working”
– Create a venue to share and sell my creations
So, with those goals in mind, I set off into 2025.
