Have you ever wondered why some paintings seem to just 'happen' while others seem to take forever to bring to completion?
If you are an artist, you no doubt have some pretty solid thoughts about this. If you are here because you just love art and enjoy the backstories and insights about how art is produced, it may be a little less clear.
In fact, you may be wondering what's up with the flower series, or sewing machine series, or any number of other works that I've got half-started in my studio. Well you're in good company. I've often wondered that myself.
I do know this, it helps when something resonates on a very personal level.
Take the painting of these shoes for instance. Although I changed the title and struggled a bit with the position of the bird and whether or not there should be one at all, it came together pretty quickly. It's about two hours away from finished. If you signed up to receive Artful Alerts then you'll likely be getting one sometime in the next few days.
The most likely reason this one came so easily is because these are my own shoes that have served me faithfully. When they were new I wore them to teach school in and go to church in. When they got too worn for that, they became my work shoes, the ones I wear to paint murals in.
Before I even put them on I can feel their cushy comfort. They bend and move with me like ballet shoes move with a dancer. Every scuff and spatter reminds me to be grateful for work that feeds both my family and my soul.
Now I'm afraid they are getting too worn even as work shoes. I will have to replace them soon, probably this weekend.
The point is,...
When my heart knows an object inside and out and loves it with all its flaws, the painting of it comes easier.
For now, go step outside and enjoy the song of birds in spring.
Jan
P.S. In case you're wondering, I changed the title because I'm thinking of another possible work where Her Working Shoes would work even better, and because the title, A Well-Earned Rest, helped me tie in the little bird as it rests on my shoe.
