Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Do our Creations Have to Be Something?


"Form Emerging or Formless?"
Acrylics enhanced with Digital Effects

The other day I had the urge to paint, I mean with real paints and brushes. The smell of paint permeated the air and I spattered some acrylics on me and on my workstation. Fortunately, some landed on the watercolor paper in front of me and the above creation emerged. The main subject has been done in acrylics and then, as has been my mood lately, I finished it off with some digital art effects. After I was finished, I turned the image four different ways to see which position I liked best. Originally it was a flower and a planet in the universe, then I joined the two objects together and it became a strange bug. Now, I'm a firm believer in the idea that we are all interconnected (that zen taoism philosophy) so perhaps that's why I decided to fuse the two objects into one. Also, that particular day I was reconnecting with my sibling, trying to bridge some of the distance that had occurred between us over the years. So maybe the image above represents the fusing of bonds, the melting of walls erected. Maybe on some unconscious level I was thinking of my sibling and our relationship as I painted and painted. Or it could just be an abstract creation with no other purpose than to be an experimental piece to practice and play with. Using mediums and glazes, opaque and transparent colors, I took creative license and did whatever I wanted to. The sky was the limit, it felt so freeing. So I want to remember how great it felt to be free and not get bogged down with trying to make the image into more than it has to be. It is what it is and I am what I am and Life is Good.

5 comments:

Lin said...

Bev--you are always so expressive with your art. I love the colors, as usual, but I also liked the story behind the art. Your work is never mindless--there is so much meaning and depth to what you do and I like that you share the story.

april said...

Very interesting and yes, beautiful colors! I, too, love your stories.

Doris said...

My first impression was an owl and it stuck...that's what I see fused together. Lovely!

Uta said...

No your art doesn't have to be something. Let it just be. I really like this piece. The composition is strong, the colours are delightful and the texture is delicious. Keep being free I say. The freedom comes out in your work and its a pleasure to behold.

Soulsearcher said...

Just experimenting with colors and shapes and then contemplating them might be enough. Good job.