'The Ripple Effect'

After two years of hit and miss image choosing, I have finally come to a realisation of what I love to paint. I've tried everything these last two years - still-life, landscape, portraits. I've given them all a go in the quest to find my own style and look. After much soul-searching as I paint each piece, what seems to really tickle my fancy is figurative work of any kind. Figures in the landscape, figures close up, figures , just figures with the occasional dog thrown in! I've still got a lot to learn with portraiture and full face, close up images, but I'm going to work my way through the intensive learning process and see where I find myself. Capturing a person, in a natural setting, with a play of light and colour offers so much to me just now. Story telling with a paintbrush is my joy. 'Life at the end of a paintbrush' has been my catch phrase on this blog for the last few years. Capturing light, life, moments in time. Story telling in paint, that touches the heart, that helps us remember happy times or that provokes an emotion. Art that offers life ever after. As I have pushed my learning curve with photography, it has enhanced my understanding of composition and what makes a good image. I am drawn to photos with amazing light, strong lines and most importantly a story being told within the image. I'm seeing these story telling images EVERYWHERE at the moment and my brain is going crazy with all the possibilities...but... I... just....cant...paint...fast...enough. Sigh. I also needed to have about another 5 children, as I seem to be pushing the posing patience with my current two. Lucky for me, there are some very kind and generous photographers out there, that are happy to share their images with a crazy artist lady who has fallen in love with their photo's. (Thank you Jo and Nancy). My head is full of plans and ideas...The internet is an amazing place to while away the hours pondering the imagination. PINTEREST, Oh how I heart you. Magazines are bought purely for certain images that have caught my eye and I find great pleasure in ripping magazines to pieces, filing certain images away in a 'inspiration' folder. Pinterest is sooo much tidier and less wasteful!! If you are a photographer or creative in any way...take a look at Pinterest. Happy pinning! There are incredible photographers all over the world that inspire me with their creations and though it is unethical and totally unimaginative to exactly copy their efforts, many images can offer the spark of a thought that guides a creative process to unfold. I recently did a photo session, with Bel, with a magazine image carefully folded in my pocket. This was my inspiration...check out that light!! This was my take on it... I am very happy with how this painting has turned out. I had planned it for entry into an art prize due later this month. Problem is...I love this painting and I want to keep it for Bel. Oops...back to the easel, quickly, to get another painting finished for that prize! Thank goodness I already knew what project was next..and its a beauty! Watch this space for that reveal in a week or so. Guess what? It also tells a story. Story telling. That's my thing... Other news this week...'Sunny Girl' has gone for its judging at the Perth Royal Agricultural Show. Dropping off a piece for a prize exhibition is such an emotional affair. Seeing all the other artists take on their art, the many and varied styles and subject matter is very, very humbling. Each and every piece could be considered a winner in the eyes of a judge...Wish Me Luck!! Wishing you many happy story telling moments, Mia x