What to paint, the struggle is real.

I want to write about the common perceived problem of finding art subjects.  I have been struggling for years trying to decide what I want to paint.  I don't know about you, but I often thought I needed to find that "inspirational", "one of a kind" subject matter.  I had my brain so wrapped around coming up with a new idea that I didn't take the time to appreciate and learn the old ways.

I saw well known artists coming up with themes or specific styles, like Georgia O'Keeffe, and getting popular for it.  Some artists I like just painted specific subject matter over and over again and got know for a "look".  I was convinced this is what I needed to do.  I tried watercolor, pastel, acrylic, and water based oils.  I painted traditionally and abstract. I tried using salt, alcohol, newspaper, epoxy, the list goes on.  Some of my pieces turned out really cool, but even after all of my endeavors, I still did not have that "Aha" moment.  Now don't get me wrong, I learned a lot about what NOT to do.  I even learned how to refinish concrete stained floors after ruining the floor of my showroom with epoxy, but I couldn't  find my absolute true calling.

These past few years I have been actually focusing on cementing in the deep routed skills that a masterful artist needs.  Instead of spending money on huge canvases and expensive schemes, I have been focused on taking advanced oil classes and studying art online.  This has made me slow down and really look at the qualities in a great painting.  Why does it speak to us?  What is it that makes it special?  What is happening in the art piece that pulls the viewer in?  Maybe I didn't need a grandiose idea,  maybe I just needed more knowledge.

Of course I think being an artist is an ongoing process of experimentation and learning. Trial and error have been an expensive experience, but I am starting to figure out what works for me.  I don't know about you but I have painted abstract and it is very difficult.  I will never be the person to look at a piece of art and say " that's easy, I could do that".  Nothing is easy, behind every successful abstract or traditional piece there is an underlying understanding of technique.  I try not to get upset if a painting isn't working anymore, I just move on and think about what I was able to learn from trying that process.

 I think I've finally decided if I arm myself with a good skill set, my artistic sword and shield,  I will have a better chance for success. With skills even the simplest of subjects can hopefully become Masterpieces.

Have a great week!
BEXX

P.S. Here is a picture of one of my mistake abstracts.  I glued on the blue butterfly, from which the colors were inspired for the piece, in the bottom right corner (look hard).  I also used epoxy and a blow torch to heat out the bubbles in the final layer.  Guess what happened... my beautiful blue butterfly turned black from the epoxy right away, and two years later the "Non-Yellowing" Epoxy turned Yellow. Talk about disappointing, after all my hard work....  But hey, I learned something, and it's still pretty. ; )