31 Paintings in 31 Days - Day Twenty-Seven

"Lazing on a Tuesday Afternoon" - watercolor, ink on aquabord, 4" x 4" each

After I posted two flower pieces last week, an artist friend of mine suggested they would look good in a grouping...like a wall bouquet!  So on a brisk Tuesday while most of the country is digging out from an historic blizzard, I am channeling bright colors, sunshine and more flowers.  Hoping this little hint of spring and summer brightens someone's otherwise dreary, snowy day.

Art can be like retail at times.  Working months ahead for shows which are well beyond the season is like getting swimsuit catalogs in January.  This month I am working on pieces for "Back to the Garden" in April and a beach-themed show in June.  Initially, I found this method of working challenging.  It didn't take long, however, for me to realize how much I actually enjoy it.  Stay with me on this!

What better way to escape the cold and shortened daylight in winter than imagining and creating sunshine and greenery?  Who wouldn't want to imagine the beach while putting on gloves and boots?  And conversely, when the hot, humid summer hits and all I want is an ice bath, it is lovely to think of cool fall days and winter sleighrides.  In a way, this method of working is like a mental vacation, and rather keeps my outlook balanced and my tone of voice less whiny.

Today, I had the pleasure of working one-on-one with one of my students.  She had created a koala bear in a tree...but not just any bear or tree.  They were doodled with Australian aboriginal symbols!  Spending time immersed in the colors and symbols of Australia (a place she had visited, and one I long to see) was a lovely mental break in the middle of the day, and left me feeling a bit recharged and re-inspired.  And dreaming of travel.

So for all you shoveling snow and cursing the weather today, take out your crayons, pens, pencils, paints or whatever and take yourself somewhere else with your creation...I hear Hawaii is rather nice right now?

These pieces are available.  Currently unframed.  Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com