The other day I was wandering around downtown and stopped at the Gallery 37 store. Essentially, it's an art gallery that sells works by Chicago Public School students (http://www.afterschoolmatters.com/). Much of what's there is breathtakingly beautiful. And today I visited Project Onward Gallery (http://www.projectonward.org/) at the Chicago Cultural Center. This venue fosters the creative process in those with mental or developmental disabilities. Again, the work is magnificent.
I couldn't help but be inspired by both visits. Seeing works of art, whether in a traditional or alternative setting, brings out an almost visceral need in me to put paint to canvas. Plus, I've been wallowing lately in too much mindless activity-- tv, internet and the like. I've been feeling like I want to DO something. MAKE something.
Out came the canvas and brushes tonight. I've been dabbling with a few ideas off and on and in fact I have a painting started of 7th Heaven. But do you ever care so much about something that you're afraid of it? That's how I'm reacting to that painting. Eventually I plan on doing a diptych and sharing it with the band. So clearly it's precious and, being rusty, I'm afraid of "messing it up." Duh. It's acrylic-- which is very forgiving-- and painting is like riding a bike-- comes back quickly. Nevertheless. So for now I'm giving myself permission to leave it off to the side and I'm putting on the "training wheels" again by working on an abstract addition to my virus series.
Unless I'm in a class, painting can be something I do in fits and starts. Still, I'm encouraged by the simple act of that first brush stroke. Feels a lot better than reality tv.
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