31 Paintings in 31 Days - Day Nineteen

"Humphry's Hijinks" - caulk transfer and acrylic on board, 8" x 8"

Today I revisit an intuitive technique which requires imajenation and patience.  The caulk transfer.  For this process, I take close-up photos of the detail portion of my existing work and blow them up on a copier.  Then lay down a thick layer of clear caulk on a board, invert a copy on top of the caulk and smooth with a brayer.  Let dry for days and days and days.  With water and fingertips, gently rub off the copy paper.  What is left is the ink from the image on a thick layer of translucence. 

Now the fun part!  It doesn't look like much at this time.   But I place it across the room, stare at it, turn it, stare at it, turn it, stare at it...you see how much patience this requires?  Sometimes I see nothing at all and have to come back several days or a week later.  That's how this piece was.  Then today, after a glorious session of Touch Painting (a process of creative healing, painting with hands and meditation), I came home feeling playful and clearheaded.  I walked into the studio, took one look at the board, and there was a whale, smiling at me.  By painting out the non essential areas and adding background, Humphrey was able to breach the waves and have a delightful afternoon of hijinks.

So of course this got me wondering...why a whale?  Why today?   The Inuit tradition holds the whale as the most magnificent creation the Great Spirit ever made.  Their blubber teaches us how to insulate ourselves and use our creative energies conservatively,  And their sensitivity to sound links them to the primal creative sounds of life...like the haunting native flute music accompanying  my meditation today.  And if anyone is sound sensitive, it is me!  I can hear the slightest sound three rooms away, much to my annoyance.  My poor husband has to use an ear trumpet to hear the t.v. if we are watching it together; that's how low I like the sound.

If whales are showing up in your life , you should examine your use of your own creativity.  The whale awakens great depths of creative inspiration and adds color and depth to your outer life.  Which is just how I felt after playing with paint and hands and breathing today.  Lesson for Jen: take time out to play with paint and meditate.  Thanks, Humphry, I needed that.

This piece is available.  Currently unframed.  Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com