Painting

I am really nervous today and need to share what is going on. For the last year, I have been receiving Life Coaching Sessions. I made a trade with my coach to paint him a 2' X 3' beach landscape at night. I was eager to push myself and paint outside my comfort zone. Plus, I'm a people pleaser so I let him "push" me way beyond my comfort zone and my skill set.

While he was sitting in my living room with 15 of my paintings on display, he requested a dark beach scene at night. I thought to myself - "Ah, that is not what I do!" My paintings look like Rainbows have thrown up. I use every bright vibrant color that I can get my hands on. I told him that I have never done a landscape and I have never painted with black. At the time, I had never even bought a tube of black. Yikes! But, I agreed.

My next mistake was to encourage him to co-create by telling him what he likes and didn't like. I stopped that quickly, because everything he said was totally different than what I do. I started developing a resentment that he didn't like my paintings, because his requests were based off of 2 experimental paintings that were not very successful.

He finally, agreed that I could use blue, but that was it. He did not want any other colors. He wanted a monochrome painting. I had done 1 other painting in a monochrome palette, but I used white not black to change the value. Next, he wanted me to use a free flowing style - a new random style for the slash marks. At the time we originally talked about his painting I was working on a freer more spontaneous style. He never saw how I finished that painting (I stayed true to my original concept) which was totally different than what he wanted.

I literally cried - sobbed the night before and after painting in black. It took awhile, but I finally figured out why I was so upset about painting with black. When I was in my 20s studying art at a University, I made a promise to myself that I would not paint my depression. I wanted to only paint happy paintings even if I was not happy. I later came to realize that my paintings are my prayers of how I want to be. Since 2015, when I became a productive painter for 1st time in my life. My motivation to paint is to Glorify God. This dark beach landscape seemed to be in violation to my purpose for painting, but I made an agreement. A contract was signed. I had to paint this painting that I absolutely did not want to paint.

As many of you know, it is often hard for me to paint. It take every bit of effort to paint anything. I love the results so I keep pushing myself to paint. This painting was absolute torture!!!!!!

We finished the year of coaching at the beginning of this month so the pressure was on to finished. Plus, I just wanted it to be finished so I could focus on other projects.

Next week is the guy's B-day so 2 weeks ago. I organized a surprise B-day party for him so I could do a big unveiling of the painting for him - to present the painting. When I organized this party. The painting was still not finished. I finished it last week.

I hate this painting!!! How can I show it off today. Yuck!!!

I sent a picture to a friend last night who loved it. The problem is that a picture looks a zillion times better than it does in RL, because the picture has the light of the flash. In RL, you have to be inches away to see any details. From a foot away, it just looks dark & black.

Not sure why I am sharing this. I guess it is to start getting it out into the world and for me to get used to what others think of it.

Thanks for letting me vent my anxiety.

 

• Dearest sglick,so sorry you have struggled so hard with your painting. Just remember the same Precious One who created the sun hung the moon and stars in space to give light in the darkness.To me that is totally awesome!! Sending love and hugs your way!!

 

Hi sglick, I think all your paintings are beautiful. To me the day holds promise and the night peace and rejuvenation. There are not very many night birds, but they are beautiful. Hugs from me, too.

 

Thanks Blessedlady & Joan! I am feeling more confident that I can presented this afternoon since posting. All prep has been done for the party. Yea!

 

sglick, your painting is a very beautiful abstract work of art. Thank you for sharing.
As I look deeply into your nighttime beach many thoughts and feelings pass through my mind.
mazel tov! you have reached the end to your despair, the work is over and is very beautiful <3
Always remember without the night we can have no glorious and splendid sunrises!

that made me giggle right out loud. I LOVE RAINBOWS
Black is good. Have you ever seen a vibrant rainbow upon a black background? The colors are even brighter.

Art is most definitely a healing tool. I also have used ... I can't say painting... but I was creating visual arts ... except I wasn't using paints, I was online using stamps. One of my creations is my profile picture here and on HavenGrove and all my other farms as well.
Sorry hope you didn't mind my sharing a little with you. I was just relating a bit. There's more I can relate to also.

Hope to see more of your art soon.
Pray, the party was a success.

 

Frootloop - I always enjoy hearing what people have to share from their heart and soul (especially when it is about my art).

The party and unveiling was a big success. i am glad I shared my negative concerns hear so they didn't overwhelm me at the party. I got a look of great comments my favorite was watching a 6-9(?) year olds reaction to it.

 

So glad your unveiling went well - art means different things to different people so everyone will 'see' something new in each painting, especially children. I have always loved your positive outlook and wish I could paint too. FW.

 

I love the painting.Blue color is so refreshing. I've never been on a beach at night but now I know how it looks at night.
I want more of your paintings..............please !!

 

I'm glad you shared your feelings with friends and were not overwhelmed. V ery pleased to hear the unveiling went well.

farmerrumf made a very important comment about everyone seeing something new in every painting. People approach art from their point of view, so what might seem depressing to you is a pleasing sight to others or reflects their favorite color palette. This doesn't diminish your feelings, but adds a new dimension to what exists in the painting. Like different facets of a diamond that throw colors everywhere. Keep painting my friend, and let that creativity flow through your fingers!

 

I am so glad to hear the unveiling went so well. I love your paintings and this one too, thanks for sharing it with us
In your first post you said that you thought he didn't like your paintings, I think he only requested that so you can challenge yourself and see that you can do it just great with darker colors as well.

 

sglick, it is a special talent to be able to share one's feelings and emotions through a paintbrush. To be able to capture the feelings and emotions of someone else when they do not coincide with our own is amazing. So very happy that all went well for you.

 

Thank you all for your kind words of support and encouragement. These words mean more to me than I can every express in words so maybe I will put my joy on the canvas this afternoon.

 

Hi sglick!

Your creative work gave me an idea. This idea may just be a little too much for quick imagination BUT it is a winner.
Naturally you would be free to choose colors of your liking.
You could paint anytime you felt the urge.
While enjoying your craft you could paint sadness, happiness, depression, anything your magic wand would display:

Title of the work:

The broke Tree

Great gift you have!

 

I love the idea and would be happy to paint you your very own The Broke Tree. What a fun idea.

I do have a lengthy laundry list of paintings that I want to paint. I am way behind for the year. Anything that gets painted this year will be put into the book so maybe the broke franchise will get glorified in print (someday - LOL)

 

Surrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre, have fun. Why not.

The only thing I can seriously recommend is: Do Not take a BB for it.

Maybe there is wealth
maybe there is powerty
maybe abundance
maybe nothing

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, this is your thing now.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ...
I wonder how many BBs it would bring? ............ naaaaaaaaaaahhh .... bad thought

 

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!

While I was painting just now the game plan structure came to mind. It's overall structure will be like The Tree of Wisdom. I originally thought of having cute animals and things in the tree, but drawing is not my thing so another game plan came to mind.

Now, I just have to remember this idea for 6 months till I get around to painting it.

 

Hello sglick, I truly believe you are way to hard on yourself! I think your life coach picked a venue he knew you would be uncomfortable with so you would have to push yourself through your doubts and fears! If nothing else you completed your project! You may not
be pleased with it BUT lets face it most artists, sculptures or writers are almost never happy with their works! When I look at it I saw a silver moon reflecting off the ocean at night! Calming and pretty to me!

 

sglick, I understand you view dark colors as symbols of depression, but I hope you also see the light coming thru the darkness.
That is a very bright & beautiful painting I happen to live in a high rise condo on the shore of one of the Great Lakes (Michigan) with an incredible view. At certain times of the year when the full moon is low in the sky, the moonlight reflecting off the water is incredibly beautiful. You have captured the essence of that & I am so happy that you have shared this with us. Thank you.

 

So Happy to read the unveiling party was a smashing success. mazel tov!

 

Your painting is stunning sglick! The path of light leads the way out of darkness.