Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Of things with wheels, little dogs, and green slime

'Keep Up' SOLD
6" x 9" watercolor


I sometimes think that I am more like the little dog in this painting than the woman. Trying my best to keep up with my ears flapping in the wind. Well. . . maybe not the ears flapping, but you get it right?

I've been sitting here staring at the computer for nearly an hour (in between packing lunches and kissing loved ones goodbye for the day) trying to come up with something clever, motivational, or funny to write about and I just. . . got nothing.

This could be because of all the angst I felt yesterday while painting. I kept going back and forth between loving the painting I was working on and hating it. I even hid it in the closet at one point.

Oh yes, I really did.

It made me think of the Wizard Howl, from Howl's Moving Castle, who has a complete meltdown and turns himself into green slime when Sophie rearranges his potion bottles in his bathroom causing him to accidentally change his hair color.

Green Slime. That's me when I feel like the painting I'm currently working on is not working.

Having spent all my life being an artist I have yet to figure out how to not be overcome with feelings of "I am the worst artist who has ever lived. Period. The End." (or as I shall call all such times henceforth: Green Slime) whenever I paint something that is less than what I think it should be.

Even though, now, in the light of day, I know that one bad painting does not a bad artist make.

But today is a new day, a new chance to paint something extraordinary, and slam the door on any and all Green Slime-like feelings.

Huzzah!! 

Until Thursday friends. :)



32 comments:

  1. I like this Crystal, it's lively and fun. I can almost hear the child's giggles as the puppy races beside her.

    Have a great day and keep up the great art!
    Linda

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  2. Crystal, I empathize completely!!! I am sitting here, turning into Green Slime, even as I type ..... OOOOZING .....

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  3. Funny that's exactly how I was feeling when I am on my newest painting of the little plumeria. I kept on thinking -- "This is not going well. This is actually going nowhere. I have done this several times -- how come it is still so difficult? Nothing seems right. Ok, I've lifted the underpainting color again and now it looks like mud. I wonder how other artists do it. Why am I so heavy handed? This wet in wet passage really looks like mud -- there is a pool of water on the surface! Why is it not drying? Why is other areas drying so fast?..." OK, you get it, I think it's hard not to :-P

    So, my point is -- of course you know this as well as I do -- we all feel like GREEN SLIME from time to time -- actually too often than we'd like.

    But now having finished it, put it aside for a day and come back to it, I think it is not half as bad as I imagined it to be when it was being painted.

    And I am doing a new project -- just starting, at that very exciting stage...

    So crystal, you keep on hanging there -- this piece turned out as beautiful as always, and I'm sure your next piece would be as well! (I really love the sense of motion it contained, and the sunny hillside just hinted by the color passages.)

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  4. Arise out of those slimy shackles and take a look at my new blog post.....it might make you feel better.....LOL Huzzah!

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  5. if my green slime/dread mahockiss bouts weren't so legendary i might poo-poo your angst, tell you how silly you're being and how incredibly gifted your are and how happy you work makes so many but i'd just look like a big ole hypocrite!

    the green slime makes the great days all the better. this too shall pass.

    and your painting is, as always, beautifully composed and painted so tell the slime "bite me!"

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  6. So...you really hid the painting in the closet?! :) Crystal you ALWAYS make me smile and I adore the painting, and somehow I picture you more as the girl on the bike.....with the sun shining on you.

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  7. I like this painting, great. I love the action from the girl and the dog.

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  8. Your skill the growing leap and bounds. I love this composition.

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  9. What a great post, I can identify with those green slime kind of days :-) Though it's hard for me to imagine you creating 'closet art' but I do understand when you feel that your vision is more than your skills can deliver..and then comes the break through! A beautiful piece, makes me think of being a kid again, riding our bikes all over the community :-)

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  10. What a great painting! Love the little dog running along.

    Stopping by from Etsy Blog Team

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  11. Oh boy - who amongst us artists *hasn't* had the attack of the Green Slime and those same feelings of irrational self-doubt when it seemed that all our painting skills just disappeared with that single, lousy painting?

    It's easy for others to say "you're a great artist, and worry not!", and of course, that's our job. But, really, it's true: worry not, dear! The occasional painting that fails to meet expectations is the price of those many successes!

    Oh yes - love the bright colors and energy in this painting!

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  12. Green slime or not, I like the 'action', light and shadows :)

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  13. Love this one, love the little dog and the wind blowing in the girl's hair.
    Every artist has their highs and lows and moments when they are filled with self doubt. Fortunately these days pass. I often read on other artist's blogs how they have the very same feelings as you, they are some of the most talented of artists too.

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  14. We all go through the same thing Crystal...at least once!! AND honestly, I haven't seen a bad painting from you yet!! I love this one of the girl on the bike!

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  15. Okay, this made me laugh! I love the image of you physically hiding it in the closet...lol It's a great piece. Love the colour, movement and especially that little dog : )

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  16. Ha! Not seeing any green slime here. You paintings convey confident and deliberate brushstrokes. They are fresh with vibrant colors full of contrast. This one especially . . . full of energy, life and confidence. I couldn't do this if my life depended on it. To quote Kramer from Seinfeld . . . "Gitty-up!" :)

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  17. Nice brushwork! and you didn't even get any slime on the painting. :)

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  18. Oh Crystal, I so know how you feel - I had a green slime day yesterday too. Only I think my ears WERE flapping in the wind ;-)

    Love the painting - I can just see the little dog scurrying along.

    Thanks for blogging about this - and hang in there.....

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  19. Isn't it funny how we all go through these feelings! Along with SO many previous paintings, I went through exactly the same thing with my latest bear. I liked it, then I loathed it, then like you, I hid it (really), then I liked it, then I loved it, then I ruined it, then I preferred it.... I exhaust myself just thinking of it!
    I LOVE painting! But why? I don't know! After all, there are times when it has quite literally given me sleepless nights!
    I smiled from ear to ear when I saw this painting, before I even read your post. I loved it instantly. I love the feeling of bright sunlight, I love her hair blowing about and I just ADORE that little dog! He really makes me chuckle! This painting brings with it a lovely sunny feeling, like I am almost standing there. I was most surprised when I read of your doubts! You see it with a totally different view than I do! :0D

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  20. Awesome post, Crystal. I can completely relate! This illustration is lovely BTW. I have many painting/drawings that are like the visual nails on the chalkboard for me. And I always doubt myself but I usually learn something from them (usually what doesn't work). It's hard to imagine you creating anything "bad" but I totally understand what you're saying!

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  21. Oh yes! I can so relate to this entire post! Crystal, you are watercolor wordsmith wonder woman! Huzzah!

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  22. Wonderful movement and the dog is perfect!

    Green Slime. Wow, what an encouragement... thanks for sharing your ups and downs. If an artist like you can experience these times-for me too I know it shall pass.

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  23. I love this Crystal! It would be a wonderful illustration in a children's book. With your creativity I know you could write and illustrate an amazing book. Love the colors in the grass and how the girl's hair blends into the background. We all have bad days, I hope your day was a brighter one. :)

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  24. I see no green slime here. None. This painting has movement, charm, sweetness and all the lovely things a perfect spring day can bring. Bring this out of your closet if you haven't already and hang it on your wall.

    Bad artist? Nope. Stop listening to the dark side. : )

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  25. It's nice to know that I'm not the only artist who puts themselves down at times. I also love that howl's moving castle book (and it's sequels) - I'm a bookaholic too (mainly fantasy).

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  26. LOL! I think I've been "green slime" many, Many times!

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  27. "green slime" days !.. crystal it's light- hearted and fun the painting ..some paintings just feel right others don't ..you might look at this differently in a few weeks .

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  28. we are our own worst critics-this painting is fun and lush with color and action. Just ignore yourself when the green meanie arrives and post away!

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  29. Well, I love your painting. It's light, loose, great composition and design and expresses movement. Now, when I feel like I don't like my painting, I remind myself that every painting has an ugly phase. That helps me a little, but, I still get the same angst and think there is no point in me painting. As artists, we are so hard on ourselves.

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  30. Well, when I saw that painting I didn't see what you saw. I saw the awesome red bike and the way her hair is flowing in the wind, and I liked it. I hope that counts for something. :)

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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