Bubble Flower

I used to love these chubby, rounded flowers. For some reason, they seemed very happy to me. 

But now, when I look at them, I see a lot of flaws. I see the weird angle of the purple flower bulb. I see exaggerated, bulbous flowers that seem ready to explode with something. I see colors what didn't translate well from paper to digital, etc. Sometimes all I see are the flaws.

So, what has changed? Nothing. The painting (water colored pencils) certainly didn't change since I painted it. So why does it look differently to me now? Because I've changed. Or I had a bad day (which I didn't), etc. Maybe this is a good lesson to remember. That when things (or people) bug me, they didn't change (most likely). But I had, or the perspective I had on it (or the person) changed, and it made all the difference.

For now, I try to remember that I used to love these flower and that my children still like them. And soon enough, I'm sure I'll like these flowers, again.

Pebbled

I finished this about a month ago. I must have wanted to work through an issue, but it must have been reasonably manageable. There aren't too many sharp angles or corners. 

I remember I couldn't decide what to do with this one. I started with the fan design but filled the rest of the white space with the pebble design. It was quite surprising how much fun I had with drawing the pebbles. 

Now, when I look at it, I wish I had gotten rid of the fans and filled the page with pebbles. Maybe that'll be my next design.

Experimentation

This drawing is about pure experimentation, not working out issues. As I get more into drawing, colors, and shapes, I'm becoming more and more curious about colors and shapes.

It wasn't immediate, but I decided I didn't like this one. Something about this drawing seemed messy. I'm not sure if that's the right word, but messy it seems.

I've been using a template to draw the circles, but I like the freehand drawn circles better. So, next time, that's the way I'll draw.

Predicament

The other day my son asked me if I had a problem or an issue because my drawing was full of octagons (lots of sharp corners). So, I told him when I have a really serious problem, I draw spirals with small scales and shapes. I don't have any issue I have to work out right now, but this conversation led me to pick this one for today.

The brick walls represent my son's attitude when I try to talk to him about things he doesn't want to talk with us. But one thing that's great about him is that he always comes around to listening and digesting the conversation in a positive way. SO! If you look at the walls carefully, they are skewed and on sideways, as if they are tumbling down.

Hampered

I felt extremely frustrated by things that were happening in my life when I drew this piece.

I usually draw flowers when I'm happy, or in a more positive mood. But when I look at this, I'm surprised by how the drawing is almost completely covered by the vines. And vines represent emotions to me (at least according to my journals). 

In this drawings, the vines are blanketing the leaves, almost choking the flowers. So, what does that mean? I must have felt hampered, frustrated, but I'd like to think that the flowers are still above the vines. So, I think it's still hopeful.

Experimentation

I was in a wacky mood when I drew these.  I was inspired by a quote from Picasso, which said something like this. I paint what I imagined, not what I see. So, I thought I might create a flower my own. 

I still can't decide whether I like these or not, but my family's reaction is unanimous. They think the flowers, especially the leaves look weird, and they don't like it as much as my other flower drawings. They didn't know what to make of the fuzzy ends on the leaves and asked me about reasons I drew them that way. The funny thing is...I don't know why I drew them that way.

Connections

When I drew this, I was trying to solve a problem (still am), and as I was struggling with that, I came up with this.

Knowing what I know about my drawings, I guess the problem wasn't too bad because the drawing isn't packed with little things. When I'm REALLY stressed out, I draw lots and lots of small things.

Also, I've said this before, but it continues to surprise me that the general tone is almost always brighter than I felt as I was drawing it.

When I finished this drawing, I made a connection I didn't see before, hence the title. It didn't solve everything, but it led me to a partial solution.

Happy Flowers

I prefer plants over cut flowers, but I can deny the fact that the beauty of the flowers affect me in ways I don't expect. I wish I could do them justice, but I just can't. So, here's another version of my flowers.

For whatever reason, these look happy to me. Maybe it's the sunflower-like middle. I don't know.

One of my favorite quotes is from Picasso. Everything you  can imagine is real. 

I see this quote as an inspirational quote, but my daughter said it's scary. Because she can think of scary creatures, and they'd be real, too. I never thought of it that way. I guess light and shadow always dance together.

Have a great day.