I don't remember exactly when i starting doing creative things. I can remember drawing as a child and doing cross stitch in high school. I remember buying painting magazines shortly after that and then the scroll saw came into play when i was in my 20's. I'd find patterns and cut them out, then paint them and give most of the things away as gifts. I still have a few of them kicking around here...and i think i even have some completed ones that never moved. Mental note to self: clean out that storage room (and the freezer and the litter boxes but that is another story)...
I do however, remember my first canvas painting. We had already bought the house that we live in currently and i needed something to hang up in the small bathroom. (Looking around the house now, it's hard to believe that we actually HAD bare walls at one time, but we actually did!) Anyway, it was a painting of a lighthouse on a sandy beach with a run down fence nearby, a few gulls flapping around. I THINK it's at my grandma's house right now, but honestly I am not all that sure. For a first attempt, I think it was pretty good.
Painting came very easily to me and I suppose in that way I am lucky to have never had to take any courses. I am completely self taught. It is my one true love, next to my husband of course. It doesn't get much better than being out on the deck painting something on a nice day. Why I live in Edmonton, where there is only a handfull of days per summer I can actually DO this, is beyond me. lol
Over the years I have managed a bunch of pretty decent paintings...and I have one in particular that I am sooo proud of, but here's the thing...
I can't just visualize something, draw it up and paint it. I have to have something to go by. And with the way my OCD brain works, i look online like a madwoman until I find a painting that i love and go from there...usually big cats or animals of some sort.
I have also knocked off a Stephen Lyman cabin painting (that is hanging at my mother in law's house). She fell in love with it while visiting one time and I sent it home with her with the instructions that I wanted it back...later on, if you know what i mean. LOL
I once did a 11x14 painting of a longhaired calico cat that oddly enough looks alot like our cat, wicket. It was before we had her. *cues twilight zone music*
I did a particularly lovely one of a tiger...originally by my favorite painter, John Banovich. The painting he did was for a fundraiser and it was tiny - 11x14. I did a 20x24! I only wish I'd have made it even bigger as it's by far my best work to date. I actually haven't finished a painting since that one, as i'm scared it won't look as good. Yep, i'm a freak.
I suppose i just haven't been truly inspired as of yet to take the pics myself and paint them. I have a good friend who is a brilliant photographer and artist herself. She has given me permission to paint something of hers. The problem is there are so many fantastic photos, I can't decide which one to use!
But, i'm hoping to end my 5 year painter's block soon. I have something in mind for our living room that will be so much fun to do! Yes, it's kind of a knock off as well, but i already plan to change it up a bit to suit the space and color theme.
After all, I can't just buy a painting when i can do it myself, now can I? Perhaps forgery is a good racket? LOL No worries, i don't sell them!
...and i did get 40% off the canvas for the new piccie as well! Win! LOL
