The Joy of Sharing Art for Me!

I am so blessed to have the ability to pursue my dream of making my living with my art.  Life has been full of changes and transitions this year but I am assured the journey is leading me to right where I am supposed to be.

I had the opportunity to teach beading a stretch bracelet to a group of Silpada representatives, (very fun ladies wearing lots of bling).  I felt so at home with all of them and their bling!  Brenda, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to share a little bit of Joyful Arts Studio.

Jill Thompson and her Tulip Painting

I have a group of ladies that I meet with every week for the Painting Art Theory class.  These ladies are so excited about learning and allow me to constantly challenge them to do more.  I’ve included a photograph of Jill Thompson who is proudly displaying her tulip painting.  It is so rewarding to work with each of them, to see how they’ve grown with confidence and as an artist.  It is also a wonderful learning opportunity for me too, I always learn when I teach.  I am so grateful today that I am having my cup filled by my work!

Tufted Titmouse by Susan Shaffer

I have completed a painting of a Tufted Titmouse this week.  Several months ago I saw a titmouse on our porch with his beak stuffed full of dog hair.  I imagine that was going to make for a soft and cozy nest.  I love to watch them scurry about.

I have the beluga whale painting ready to go and plan to work on it Friday; I am so excited to do this painting after all these years.  I will be traveling to paint with Fred tomorrow and plan to paint a mother swan sitting on her nest with two babies or cygnets.

Expressing Emotion through a Painting

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Georgia Aquarium, located in downtown Atlanta.  This is the world’s largest aquarium.  This was my second trip and I came away just as impressed if not more.

My two favorite exhibits are the Coldwater Quest, the Beluga whales and the Ocean Voyager.  I could spend hours sitting in front of each of these magnificent tanks. 

As I sat and watched the beluga whales I found myself overcome with emotions of serenity, peace and awe.  I was amazed how these huge animals could swim so gracefully, spinning and swimming upside down as they easily glide through the water. Here is a link to the web cam: (http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/interact/web-cam-belugas.aspx)

When I was at the aquarium in 2009 I came home with a strong desire to paint the whales but wasn’t really sure why.  When I broached the subject with my teacher, Fred, he strongly discouraged me from painting them because I don’t know about Beluga whales.  So, I never did paint the whales but now I know why I want to paint them.  As an artist I want to share my emotional experience of watching these massive mammals.  It is a great challenge to bring that same emotion to the viewers of my beluga whale paintings. 

 

Painting the whales will allow me to reflect on the emotional experience while I was actually at the aquarium.  I was able to video the whales too so that will be aide my sometimes weak visual memory.  Join me as I work through this painting.  I welcome your comments.

 

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog!

I wish you JOY today.