A Peaceful Journey

This weekend, I was asked:

Where does my inspiration comes from?
Are they women in my life or imaginary?

Two questions, and two answers were necessary.

I’ve talked about Finding My Creative Ideas, here, on my website.

Which is basically an answer to how I get the images.

The second question – are they women in my life or imaginary, is something I haven’t spoken about previously.

The answer is, they are all me!

For example, everything in A Peaceful Journey (above) is an aspect of me! The girls are all engaged in something I would do, the fish is my creativity and the boat is my receptivity.

As always in my work, there are multiple layers of meaning & interpretation in this image.  I’m just explaining how I felt about each as I painted it and infused it with feeling.

I have the image come to mind, as I paint it, I put my feelings into the character. This comes through as the expression, posture, colours and create ‘feel’ of the painting.

I never begin with an idea of HOW one of my figure’s faces will look!!  I do not plan their appearance in advance, or as I’m working on it.  They just develop based on my feelings, and the painting itself.

You cannot paint something, convincingly that you haven’t experienced, do not know or cannot ‘feel’.

I have a close connection with nature and animals, therefore they are regular aspects of my artwork.

I have absolutely no interest or connection with children, when I’ve tried painting them, (for someone else, of course) they looked quite frightening!

So, my advise is to paint what you know, love, feel.

You may love my artwork, but it is not yours – what you create that is yours, will be infused with YOUR emotion, depth and personal meaning.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.

Henry Ward Beecher

Fresh Eggs in progress

I’m currently working on this painting, ‘Fresh Eggs’.

It’s the first time I’ve painted a hen in this format.

I’m really enjoying the painting, colours & subject matter.

I expect to finish this tomorrow.

For last week’s Artist’s Date, I fancied lighting a fire and spending the evening watching a film.

Maybe that doesn’t sound very interesting, personally I never watch TV or films, so it was something different.

I have no idea how I accumulated a collection of unopened DVDs, (possibly presents?) – I find myself with a large selection of films  I have never watched.

When I made the decision to watch a film, I thought it would be a fantasy like Alice in Wonderland or a comedy like Big Fish.

As I looked through the selection of DVD’s, I was drawn to Dead Poet’s Society.

As I looked at the box, my ego said ‘nah, maybe a more modern film hmmm’?

Petty ego resistance… I’ve learnt over the years, that’s often a sign that I need whatever I am resisting.

Regardless, it still took me a while to finally peel off the cellophane wrapper and start watching.

The film was perfect.  I ‘got’ the obvious ‘Seize the Day’ message. For me there was so much more in this film, following your dreams and true self, regardless of what society says – is a validation for all that walk their own path.

The passion the boys felt for the poetry they read was a real surprise for me.  I haven’t figured out why, yet.  I can ‘get’ their passion, respect it and desire it deeply.  Just at the moment, I can’t ‘touch’ it within me.  Does that make sense?

I’d like to watch this film again, I feel I have more to learn from it.

I’m in love with this way of staying in contact with collectors of my work.

Planning & creating the newsletter is fun and a great opportunity to share with you.

There are updates & offers that are only available to newsletter subscribers.

If you would like to be included in the newsletter mailing list, you will need to subscribe to it.

To subscribe go HERE.

Of course, I respect your privacy, I do not share your info with anyone.

You will be able to unsubscribe at any time, if you wish.

For this week’s Wishcasting Wednesday question Jamie Ridler asks us:

 What do you wish people knew about you?

Perfect timing from Jamie, this question is 100% in sync with me.

Yesterday afternoon I realised I don’t know of any other artists combing classic oil painting & collage, as I do.

Therefore I realised it might be a good idea to tell people about my art, how I make it, the materials I use.

Girl With the Red Hair - In progress pic, taken from oblique angle showing textures.

The longer I thought about it, the more I realised I need to offer viewers insight to me through my artist’s statement, why I use the materials I use, where I get my ideas from, etc.

So my next project this week is to create a page (or more) on this website, with the purpose of letting people know about my work.

Artist’s Dates are an exercise outlined in The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.

As artist’s when we create, we draw ideas from our creative well, and it can become depleted.

A weekly Artist’s Date (taken ALONE) recharges & fills our creative well with fresh material.

The garden centre Artist’s Date offers me the most amazing selection of shapes, colours, images, designs, textures -(both visual and physical), sounds (think bubbling water features, tropical birds) and smells ( damp early and freshly watered plants, wood, rosemary, lavender).

Here are some photos I took both for reference and to share with you…

I love the selection of patterns in this gift display. Look at the little sailboats on the pillow.

Yes, I had to spin the windmill. The ornamental wheels on the wagon, near the bottom right are an attractive design.

Pretty colour combo, delicate flowers and great texture on the thick crunchy leaves of this display of Primroses.

A bit of sunshine on long smooth green stems. These tough, yet pretty little things in January always make me smile.

Gorgeous flower shapes, when they become fully rusted, the texture & shape will add a feel of whimsy to any garden. They remind me of my painting Sunflowers.

I had to run my hands through this ornamental grass, several times. It felt smooth, slippery and much stronger than it looks.

I love the sun dial shape in the centre of this paving.

The fence panels made me think of a pretty bed, the wood smelt wonderful as it had rained the night before.. Yes, I had to run my hands over the wood of the front panel.

I love the contrast of the bands around the wood on these half barrel planters. I like how the barrels have different numbers of bands around them.

Hahaha... cute & quirky, I love ducks & chickens, I want to create some work incorporating them.

These birdhouses remind me of paintings of beach huts. Wonder how I can fit that into my work...

omg... love love love this throw, visual & physical texture heaven, it was difficult to stop running my hands over it!!

My artist date ended with me in the books section. I'd like all four of these beautifully illustrated books for reference material.

I wonder what Artist’s Date I will have next weekend….

Have I given you any ideas for your own Artist’s Date?

In progress - Flower Girl, one of several paintings I'm currently working on

I’ve wanted to return to my blog for quite a while, finding the courage to leap back into it has been difficult.

I’ve isolated myself both online and in real life for about 10 months.

To go from that to being genuine & open to the world, en masse, is quite intimidating.

During my time away from here, I’ve been paralysed by a wave of  depression & anxiety.

Looking back at that time, it seems surreal,  more like something I’d read about, but never consider happening to me.

I wasn’t receiving any medical support for the Bipolar Syndrome.

(I hate the thought of calling it my Bipolar Syndrome)

Due to the nature of the illness, I cut off all contact with long term friends.

Being isolated, I had no emotional support either.

In December, I hit crisis level.

I actually got to a point where I had no money to even feed myself, and no form of income.

Fortunately several things happened to help me, I believe life does that for you when you need it.

I also began taking a very high dosage St John’s Wort and I registered with a new doctor.

This is why today’s Wishcasting Wednesday question is perfect for me to begin blogging again.

My new doctor is excellent!

(he did NOT prescribe the St John’s Wort for me, I began taking it  before I first saw him)

He’s fully aware & comfortable treating a chronic mental illness like Bipolar Syndrome.

I am so grateful, as he is handling my case with incredible wisdom and sensitivity.

He wants to begin treating me with normal prescription drugs.

He has gently warned me that this is his plan, and I will need to be weaned off the St John’s Wort first.

But here & now, because I am still dealing with a crisis, he has left me taking the St John’s.

Yes the St John’s has triggered a manic phase for me, but as I have Bipolar II I don’t go into full mania.

(read about why St John’s Wort is NOT safe treatment for Bipolar Syndrome, HERE)

I am scared about coming off the St John’s.   I feel taking it has made me able to function day to day.

Since taking the St John’s Wort, I am no longer in pain inside my own mind.

I don’t know how else to describe it

Yet, I also know I am still far from feeling and functioning as ‘normal’ people do.

Without the St John’s Wort to calm my mind a little, I would never have considered taking prescription drugs to treat the bipolar condition.

As an artist, the fear of feeling dead has always out weighted the pain and depression.

I guess everything that has happened to me has made me desperate enough to admit I need help.

I don’t want to waste anymore of my life paralysed by depression and anxiety.

Also I am able to see that other bipolar artists are being treated with drugs and are still making great art, their lives working much better than mine – Hazel Dooney springs to mind as a true inspiration.

So my wish is to have an easy transition from the St John’s Wort to conventional medication that allows me to thrive as an artist and person.

Namaste

Someone very close to me passed away, it has taken me a bit of time to get over it.

I woke up this morning with clear ideas for future blog posts, so I’m ready to get back on track.

Be with you soon.

Namaste

Here is the Butterfly painting to date.

I’m experiencing a crisis in my private life, my heart hurts & I am not connected to my creativity.

My paintings are uplifting & whimsical.

They make people smile.

I can hardly create at that level,  unless my own energy is light and flowing.

I looked at this painting, this morning, and considered breaking it over my knee & throwing it away.

My next thought was- I can’t remember the last time I wanted to destroy a painting just because I was in a bad mood.

Fortunately I’ve been doing this long enough to not actually follow that urge.

I like that I can offer you a little bit of insight into my creative flow, or lack of!

I am doing things that do not require that I am connected to my creativity -redesigning the Gallery on this site, stock control for both  paintings & materials, paperwork, etc.

Walking In This World ©Erin Richardson 2011

Here is the completed Walking In This World painting.

This contemporary painting was produced using oil paint over a collaged birch ply panel.

On one level this artwork could be viewed as a picture of someone walking on a pretty coloured background.

Like all of my art there are multiple layers of meaning.

Let’s take a trip around the symbolism contained within this painting.

The aqua blue/green colours are soothing and peaceful.

I’ve used a limited palette to create a feeling of harmony, and reinforce the sense of peace.

The bare branches of the tree indicate winter, a time of reflection before new growth.

The figure is wearing a cloak, a sign of ‘other worldliness’ separating the person from the mundane.  The cloak isolates the sage from the mass of humanity.

The (almost) whiteness of the cloak reflects the colour of the crown chakra.This chakra is associated with our spirit & it’s wisdom/guidance.

The staff she carries is a symbol of masculine power, the phallus. She holds her staff comfortable, it’s very presence indicates she is in touch with and able to direct her energy in a positive manner.

The basket is a feminine symbol of receptivity.  It is the same as the cup, cauldron, cornucopia, vagina.  She is an open vessel, ready to receive.

The slight shadow cast partially across her eyes, indicates her self awareness found by looking at herself honestly and courageously.

The position of her eyes indicate a turning inwards.  Listening, seeing, looking… finding.

This woman is a Seeker.

She is fully in touch with her power.

She aims to  balance the masculine & feminine (active/passive, positive/negative, receptive/aggressive, etc) within her own nature.

The title of this painting “Walking In This World” comes from my favourite book by Julia Cameron, Walking In This World, Spiritual strategies for forging your creative trail.