confession of an addicted artist

Here I am painting in Arizona at the Superstition Mountains during

the Oil Painters of America National Show in Scottsdale 2010

Okay, I confess, my name is Susan and……my addiction…. I am a binge painter. Once I start painting, I can’t quit. Sometimes I go at a fevered pitch for weeks. Then in exhaustion, I stop and sometimes don’t pick up the brush for several weeks. While I am painting, all responsibilities are forgotten. Dinner? (Really?) House cleaning,( never think of it). Groceries…. (Surely there must be another can that I can open)….. even exercise is lost in the blur of paint and canvas. I even forget to drink water. Fortunately I am married to a wonderful artist that understands all this and he has a wonderful pace in life. If it weren’t for Howard, I would never think about lunch. He makes wonderful morsels that beckon me to pause and join him.

Why am I telling you all this? Because this year I have decided to learn the fine art of pacing myself when I paint. Sounds normal I know, but when I am in my right side of the brain, well, that is all that exists. Time and all the “To Do” lists are forgotten, banished to the other side of the brain and lost. Not a bad place to be, unless you want to actually be a part of the living world around you.

So this is my plan. Limiting myself to 3 to 6 hours of painting a day (exceptions for deadlines, of course), I will be able to lead a normal life…. At least that is the plan. Also, I will be painting everyday without those long “drying out” periods when I finally throw myself at the bookkeeping, office work, domestic chores, etc. This way, there will even be time, on a daily basis to exercise (my heart will thank me), maintain a healthy office and smooth flowing home life. Ahhh sounds so perfect. Is this what left brainers enjoy everyday?! Lists that actually get accomplished, order to their lives, dinner on the table, hmmm, very interesting.

I think I am going to like it!

What makes you feel most whole?

Apple Boy 18 x 14 oil

Howard and I saw a great movie the other night: Good Night Mister Tom. Set in England during World War II, it is a heartfelt story of a little boy and an old man. Both wounded on the inside, both needing love. As the movie unfolds so do all the qualities that love encourages. To my delight, the little boy finds his voice in drawing and painting. That part of the movie didn’t surprise me, but it delighted me tremendously. I know the healing power of the right side of the brain and creativity.

Each of us needs to find that quiet spot inside of our hearts and minds to create. We need to return often to this special spot to feel whole, complete and safe. Music, dance, writing, jogging, gardening, decorating, crafting, and fine art, are but some of the many ways that we, humans, reach the magic spot and find quiet and peace in a noisy world.

Now that the wonderfully busy Holidays are over, it is truly time to feed the creative side. Get back to it, create! This is a message for my heart, too!

His Tender Care 24 x 36 oil

A New Year,

A New Chapter, A New Day, A New Morning, each of us get this gift today. Embrace the possibilities of it all! Throw off the chains that are holding you back, dream big! Don’t be intimidated by the largeness of this opportunity, instead look at the next few minutes as the beginning of your new plan. Keep it simple; it is easier to stay the course. But plan big… no Bigger than that! Reach for the stars, not just the rooftops.

Then write it down. Commit it to paper. That will make this dream more real. Think of one step that would take you closer to your plan…. And you are on your way. Change begins in our hearts and in our brains. These are the greatest journeys of all. Think positive thoughts; believe it will happen, look for the beginnings. It may take time, but wonderful journeys are worth waiting for. Let your journey begin today!

Happy New Year!

His Light 18 x 14 oil