[Sue Wiley, Artist] Listen To The Night Birds

[Susan Abston Wiley]

I was a bit tired of trying to paint seriously, of second-guessing whether my work was good enough to enter into shows or put on my blog, of listening to my friends' suggestions on how to "fix" my confidence or improve my art, what to paint, where to show. I finally decided that I needed to listen less to all the other voices around me, no matter how much they cared about me, and more to my own voice. And if I wanted to play and waste time and pastel and paper, then I would.

This painting resulted from such a play session, laying down broad swaths of my favorite colors, doodling swirls and wiggles and blocking in shapes. First I began to see one bird, and then others flocked to join it, and then it was just a matter of letting my imagination go and adding all the fun details to see their personalities emerge. From this jumping-off point, I've started painting other silly creatures. For the FUN of it.

The upshot? I'm enjoying my studio again, even if it is hotter than... a Texas heatwave, and even if I'm not painting award-winning work. Hooray for art! Hooray for fun! Hooray for me!

Pastel on Gatorboard, image 18x24

--
Posted By Susan Abston Wiley to Sue Wiley, Artist at 7/21/2011 06:38:00 PM