JUST BREATH

Sometimes I need a space to just breath.  I've been busy all along, painting and working on commissions, and  it's been one of the hectic/tense times on the home front.  We all have those now and then.  And all of a sudden, I don't know what to do next with my painting because everything seems so overwhelming.  
The word is, 'Paint what you love.' and I know I love animals - dogs and cats, and horses.  I love being around them, love painting them, but is it time I tried something  else? Or maybe focus on just one type of animal, or just one breed of dog?  
                 

                

 I delight in Faeries, so should I spend some time in Fantasy now?
How about a new interest in tiny landscapes - is this the time to spend getting good at them?  

So many decisions . . . so much to make my head ache. I think I need an aspirin!
I've learned through experience that when times like this land on me, the thing to do is to sit back quietly and just breath.  The answer will fall into place as long as I don't rush out and jump into a series of paintings that will never please me because I wasn't 100 % committed to them at the beginning.
So for the next few days, I'll be doing some serious thinking about which direction I want to take with my painting for the next extended time.  But first, take a breath with me.  AHHH!
cheers,
Heather


http://www.heatheranderson-animalart.com 

"I Must Go Down to the Sea Again"

I  love the Sea.  I've only been twice, but it lives in my memory; the sound of the waves sending me off to sleep at night, the salt tang of the air, and the sweet scent of the Sea Mertensia along the shore.  Since I live well inland in Central Ontario,  I've made my own little ocean to meditate on.

I bought the little reproduction of the Walter Crane 'Poseidon' painting with the fabulous wave horses, the sponge, and the frilled blue and white dish that made me think of waves.  The sand castle and many of  the shells were gifts, as was the Sea Glass in the front.
I'm really excited about that Sea Glass.  Imagine it, tumbling around in the ocean for goodness knows how many years, becoming frosted and very smooth, and looking nothing like glass anymore.  "Nothing  . . ..  that doth fade, but doth suffer a Sea-Change into  something rich and strange" The Tempest.   
The ocean inspires me in my painting too.  I love using the image of the Horse in the Ocean.  It's a recurring theme for me, and as many times as I've painted it, I know I will return to it again and again.  

                                 Dawn Runners                           Watercolor

                               Legend and Story                    Acrylic
                                           The Gift Horse Mural

And I love the whole aspect of fun at the shore.  Get your swimsuit, your bucket and spade, and a good friend, and go get your feet wet!

                                    Spirit of Youth               Watercolor

In John Masefield's words: "I must go down to the Sea again . . ."
Are you coming too?


Cheers,
Heather Anderson                                                     
www.heatheranderson-animalart.com