This morning an image popped up ...
A lady named Laura Lim posted this on social media. She had painted this over the weekend. She said she "tried her hand at painting and ended up with this peaceful little scene." Then for some reason she added "not perfect but I had fun"
Almost every artist instinctively has the urge to diminish their work preemptively in case someone else tries to do it first. Adding "but I had fun" as if she needed to justify her act of creation. I get sad when that happens.
Because the act of creation is what binds us to the divine. It cannot be diminished by commentary or judgement. Surprisingly she also told me privately...
"I painted that this morning at the studio, and the moment I finished it, I couldn't wait to share it!" This excitement and joy is the appropriate reaction for having conjured up this object of art from nothing but internal inspiration. That is the spiritual "juice" she gets and deserves. ALL artists sense this.
When I saw the photograph, first thought came to mind was "Whoa, there's so many paint spots on the table and floor." In the background stored neatly were colored plastic paint containers. Then I noticed the open can of paint near the paper plate palette that included color patches solid and mixed. Instantly I made the connection these colors were used on the painting. (Sharp as a tack, I am!)
I then focused on the painting composition. The center mass is the base of the middle tree. From that point the trunk rises straight up behind the sloping fence. From that point, the bright red shrubbery begins its growth to the side. From that point land meets water and solid reality meets liquid reflections.
The most moving detail for me is how the water bends around the land's end. It felt like the river is gently caressing the center point with its flow. There are no visible waves or even mild turbulence. A still, centered, peaceful body of water that's probably very deep, maybe cold.
In contrast, the colors blast out, especially the red/pinks that are spread out to every corner of the painting, carefully balanced as if to frame the scene. That color even shows up in the reflections which are positioned where they should be.
Finally, the mountains and sky in the rear are in muted tones that help the foreground colors pop out as the focus, the "stars" of the show.
Overall to me it is a lovely scene painted with care and forethought. This result was more than worth the effort she put into it. And plus, she had fun! It's a win-win all around!
I would like this post to show her how her impromptu creation might land on some stranger, and cause a reaction. Who knows what the next person that comes across this will feel or see? Who knows what results from A Random Painting?
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