So remember when I shared with you the story of my foray back into painting? And how my first go ’round, though initially painful ended in a pretty positive way? I was so excited, so elated to get back into it! My head was swimming with ideas for this new series of work and I couldn’t wait to dive back in the following weekend. ( Gotta be a weekend painter, I just can’t seem to do it during the week. )
Things did not go as well the second time around.
Mistake #1 | I moved my makeshift studio from the large picture window just off the kitchen into the spare bedroom. Smaller space and not nearly enough light. And the grey blue of the walls in that room are depressing.
Mistake #2 | Reusing an already painted canvas board but not gessoing over the old painting. Rookie mistake. I know better.
Mistake #3 | Not buying gesso. Or perhaps this should have been listed as Mistake #2, as M2 might never have happened had I actually purchased gesso.
Mistake #4 | Trying to utilize the exact same technique used in the first painting even though a different technique was actually working quite well.
Mistake #5 | Walking away and letting the canvas sit for the last week and a half.
So I’ve learned a few lessons from this experience.
Lesson #1 | If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Should have kept my little “studio” where I had it. Since Mr. Forager was working at the table in the kitchen, I was trying to be considerate and not disturb him ( I like to play music when I paint, sometimes accompanied by questionable singing ). I ended up listening with headphones anyway, so think it would have been just fine to stay put.
Lesson #2 | Don’t try to be cheap or take shortcuts. You’re never happy with the result ( see Mistakes 2 & 3 ).
Lesson #3 | Just because it worked for you the first time doesn’t mean it will work again. See Lesson #1.
Lesson #4 | Get over the fear of sucking. It’s OK to take a break, but don’t let fear freeze you. I am a task-oriented perfectionist. If I can’t do something really well, I hate doing it at all. So this is a hard one for me. But it’s a lesson I need to learn and put into practice. And not just in painting but in every aspect of my life. Friend & fellow blogger Erin at artsocial wrote a great post today about this very issue!
So I am determined to try again. Move the easel back into the sunny spot with the mountain view and try again. Buy some gesso and try again. Get over my fear of failure and try again. And again. And again!
Artsies, how do you do it? How do you overcome that paralyzing fear of getting it wrong? I’m also looking for a little evening creative activity for the iPad. I’m not an evening painter, I’ve learned that over the years. I’m kind of a middle of the afternoon on a Sunday painter. But I would love to have some non-messy creative playtime in the evenings. Any paint-y iPad apps to recommend?
All images by Artsy Forager.