I Heart Art

One of the things I love to do when I have time (ha, what's that?) is ART! I love drawing and doodling the most, but I've recently gotten into hand-lettering. I like to share my art on Twitter and sometimes on Facebook, but nothing is really permanent.

The instructor had a yellow background and an orange forest
floor. I went for the sophisticated evening look. 

My basement has several canvases I've painted over the years. Some I've done in the comfort of my own home just to get some creativity out. I've also really enjoyed painting at those wine and paint places. A few times I've gone with friends and watching them paint has helped me learn a little more about them. Some really like to adhere to the "rules" and paint the exact same things the instructor paints. I've even seen someone go so far as to count the number of branches they painted on a tree just so theirs could be exactly the same. It honestly didn't surprise me because this person tends to be very much like that outside of a paint studio as well. I've also seen someone say "The hell with this" and paint whatever they want. This too was not surprising as I've known them to always focus on their needs rather than what others think they should be doing. And at that time they just so happened to need to paint something totally off the wall. I've also asked other friends what they think their painting style says about them. They typically don't enjoy that question because they just came to drink wine and maybe paint something cool, not do some self-exploration and analyze their paint habits. Thanks for keeping it light, Nance. Jeez.
Since I ask it of them, I have also looked at my paint habits. A few things I've learned about myself:
-I use a TON of white paint no matter what the painting is. I think I use it as a base for every color I use. In my life I think this also shows up in anything I do. I like to have a solid base (of knowledge, understanding, etc.) before I jump in and start working on something.
-I like to paint nature. I also really like to be in nature. I'm not really an outdoorsy person (hiking, skiing, camping, etc.), but I do like to be outside. Being outside seems so much easier than being inside. There are rules when you're inside, certain expectations for behavior. But being outside means there really aren't any rules or expectations. It's awesome.
-I sometimes use the other end of the paintbrush. Like when I need a super tiny dot or a really fine, thin line. Who says that everything you encounter has to be used the way it's "supposed" to be used? Get creative! Use that paintbrush from the other end!
-My palate starts nice and clean and organized and ends up being one or two blobs of color made from all the other colors. Check out this post on my other blog here for more info on this palate problem. This is not unlike every organization task I've ever undergone. It always starts nice and pretty, but very quickly ends up as sort of a mess. It's a pretty mess, but a mess none the less.
I think that's how I'd describe myself actually. A pretty mess. I'm okay with that.