The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.”
—Neil Gaiman
Painting backgrounds with watercolor wash this Saturday morning. Where is your brush or pen taking you today?
Day 63/100
So lucky to have my 7-year-old granddaughter Ellie in the studio today. She discovered the wonder of watercolor powders and a spray bottle. The magic of a heat gun’s effects on a wet index card; the curling action is wizardry. That it’s okay to have stained fingers, and elbows, and hands.
Most importantly, that she did not need permission. She asked if she could pick up the paper and let the water drip. If she could use any color she wanted. If it was good to mix pan with powder, fingers or brush.
My answer every time was “Let’s find out.” Eventually she stopped asking and she simply dove in with wanton abandonment.
She has beginner’s mind and enthusiasm has very little space in a culture that expects perfection, mastery, and control. Enthusiasm is messy, exuberant, and irrational. But most of all it’s full of joy.
“The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step.”
—Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
She made lots of paintings this morning and now needs a cork board in her room to post them. Just like Mimi.
You KNOW where I’m going today and what I’m going to pick up for her.
I hope today you share your enthusiasm with others and approach your work with wanton abandonment!
