Something I LOVE and Something I LOATHE

I really want to have a pretty blog. 

One that is clean, simple, and has pretty pictures, 

which makes me think I should only post artwork I love. 

But I don't always make artwork I love. 

Or even like. 

But I want my blog to show all aspects of my work too.  The process from beginning to end.

I don't want to give a false impression that I make pretty things All. The. Time. 

But I want a pretty blog. 

It's quite the dilemma!

So here I go....Posting something I LOVE and something I LOATHE.

Lets start with the pretty one first:

I have had artists block for a few weeks now (basically since I've been making jewelry) so I haven't done much painting. I though enough was enough! Pick up a brush and JUST PAINT!

So, I picked up a green bottle of paint and put the first layer on the canvas with a knife. 

Done. I painted. 

I stared at it and stared at it. 

NO INSPIRATION for days!

Finally I pulled out 4 fall colors and just made myself start to paint. 

I knew I didn't just want geometric & outlines any more and remembered that I really liked what I painted for my friend, so I started with inspiration from that piece.

  
Here is the final product....

12x16" acrylic on canvas

You know how there are those things in life that you love because it's your favorite color, or matches your room, or is just new? And then there are those things that you see, almost buy but don't, then regret not buying it because you can't stop thinking about it...you LOVE it...for so many reasons.

Well, that's what this painting is for me. A complete surprise of love out of un-inspiration.

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Then there was the watercolor I was working on at the same time.

Hideous!

I realize you think I'm probably being too hard on myself, and I could give you all these valid artistic reasons why it's not, but I'll spare you the boring details.

I wanted to enter the Illustration Friday topic of the week "atmosphere" and thought of doing something pertaining to the atmosphere of a room. Harry Potter was on the other night so I thought of the great dining room scene with all the floating candles. 

There are several problems with this idea. 

1. I am still learning to use watercolor. I'm not always patient enough to let it dry.

2. Because I didn't let it dry, the paint bled and merged like none other. 

3. It's really hard to make candles look like they are floating especially in a small sketchbook. With watercolor. When you are not patient. 

I need to work on my watercolor skills!

I repainted it 3 times and I still LOATHE it.
Eventually I gave up on making them look like they are floating. 

Here it is in all it's glory...

4x6" Watercolor on paper

I basically just gave up. Maybe I'll rip it up and use it in a collage!

(You might say you like it, but I know you're just saying that to be nice)