New Painting Merges My Love of The Landscape and Animals

The set up.
Commissioned Painting, 18 x 36 inches.
Acrylic on canvas. Copyright Mary Rush (Mary Gravelle)

Painting Studio Set Up

Nov. 11, 2014. I have been preparing for a new painting, a commissioned work. I set up my painting space today.

Under Painting

Commissioned Painting under painting in process, 18 x 36 inches.
Acrylic on canvas. Copyright Mary Rush (Mary Gravelle)

I did the under painting of the sky. After spending quite a bit of time in the initial pre-planning stages, it felt great to finally put paint on canvas!

Landscape Meets Animals

Also, I have to say that as I was painting today, I loved the idea of painting the landscape again. With this painting, my love of nature and the landscape merges with my love of animals.

The Landscape

The landscape is in Sedona, Arizona. The mountain is known as Bell Rock, one of the major vortex sites in Sedona.

The Animals

The animals are the buyer's cats, Dillon and Dexter. They are both Maine Coon cats and quite large.

My Sir Kitty is attempting to become their friends, so far unsuccessfully. I encourage him to keep trying. So far, Dexter just hisses at him. We'll see what happens over time.

So far, this painting is a delight.

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Sir Kitty

About the author:

Mary Rush Gravelle is an artist who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty.

Making Art is a Lot About the Artist Getting Out of the Way

Tracing a drawing onto my canvas for a commissioned painting.
I will use my own advice while doing this painting.
I have done the initial preparations toward my vision,
receiving input from my buyer. Now, it's up to my creative
process to take over. I will work on getting out of my own
way and let the painting breath its own life into existence.
I am merely the messenger at this point.
Copyright 2014 Mary Rush (Gravelle). All rights reserved.

As much as we artists would like to think that our art is all about us, I believe more and more, it isn't.

I think a lot of the creative process of making art has to do with the artist getting out of his/her own way. The "way" I speak of translates as "mind and brain". Too much thinking can impede our progress. It can inhibit new and exciting expressions from coming forth.

The Joy has Stopped

I was talking with an artist friend over the weekend who is in the midst of painting toward a show that will begin in about three weeks. She told me that she was no longer enjoying her painting process. And furthermore, 3-4 pieces were either in ruin or had been started and stopped. She was shut down creatively and had lost her joy of painting. The impending deadline weighed heavily upon her shoulders and mind. As the conversation unrolled itself, I realized that she had a big sister criticizing her, the little sister, both in real life and internally. This criticism and advice was robbing the fun from her inner child's creative process.

Stop Thinking So Hard

I basically suggested that she just let go and paint. Let the materials do the painting, much like I teach in Wisdom Painting. Stop thinking so hard and get back to playing at the painting process again. Allow herself to experiment a little since she told me she had bought some gel mediums that she wanted to try. The theme of her show also was all about channeling the paintings, a condition where you must be open to the process.

Commissioned painting, 18 x 36 inches.
The drawing part of the process is complete.
Now it's time to paint!
Copyright 2014 Mary Rush (Gravelle). All rights reserved.

Jazzed Again

I am happy to report that my friend just sent me a photo of the painting she worked on today. It is a dynamic and strong visual piece, not yet complete, however. She is totally excited and jazzed again. I would like to think that my conversation with her helped loosen up her process.

What I Suggest

So, here is what I suggest if you feel yourself stuck: just show up and then surrender. Take yourself out of the equation as much as possible.

Just Show Up

Just showing up to the materials will send a message to your inner child or creative muse that you are ready to paint. It's a physical commitment to your process. Show up with intent to paint.

Surrender

Surrender to the creative process. Let the colors, brushes, palette, and canvas all have a conversation with your intuition and your vision for this painting. There is an intelligence built into the creative process itself. Surrender to it and let it have its way with you and the painting. All those years of art school or training / learning will ensure that the painting is a painting and not a disastrous mess.

Try It

Try this out and report back. How did it work for you? Was it really bad advice? Or did it help you break through a block of some sort?

Mary Rush
(Mary Gravelle)

Until Next Week

Sir Kitty

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

About the Author

Mary Rush is an artist who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty.

Copyright 2014 Mary Rush (Gravelle). All rights reserved.

The Visual Artist is a Unique Breed

Number 1: The All One.
24 x 24 inches, acrylic on wood,
Copyright 2009 Mary Rush Gravelle

I have changed my mind and thinking lately about artists being like any other professional such as a plumber or a lawyer.

I have made statements in the past that lean toward fighting for fair payment to the artist. I have written blog articles, see below, on the plight of the artist. They are serving humanity just as much as any other profession, right? Shouldn't they be fairly compensated for this service? Yes and...

Visual Artists Vs. Performing Artists

Visual artists are a different breed. I separate them from performing artists who get paid for performing their art. Yes, I do realize that they practice their art and on their own time.

On Their Own Dime and Time

The visual artist practices and makes their art all on their own dime and their own time. If they have prepared themselves well in the marketing aspects, they will succeed in possibly selling their work. They have to build up an inventory in order to have something available to be shown to someone who might want to buy it. They have to create first. And then, they can think about the sale. This is what separates visual artists from other professionals who get paid for the work they perform as they perform it. This is what makes visual artists a unique breed.

Number 4: Four Squared
24 x 24 inches, mixed-media on RayMar panel.
Copyright 2009 Mary Rush Gravelle. All rights reserved.

Need Alternative Ways to Get Paid

Unless the visual artist has built up an art patron relationship that pays them a monthly stipend for creating, they are not getting paid to do their art. Until they grow their reputation as an artist, they most times will need to perform other work for pay. Art materials are costly. It costs money to create art. The bills still need to get paid. The artist needs to eat. Costs for transportation need to be met.

Unique Space

Yes, visual artists inhabit a unique space in the world. They are creating from ideas and curiosities. They are following their hearts. They are creating beauty. They are helping us see our world in new ways.

They Have to Create

Most visual artists have not made the choice to be an artist. It is something that is innate. There is a driving inner force to create. If they do not heed the call, they pay for it in their depleted spirit.

Me

I am a visual artist. I am a unique breed in this world. I feel so much happier when I create. I have to do it. And, I would really love for my art to prosper me.

Other blog articles I have written on this subject.
Will Sell Art for Money
Give the Gift of Art
Is Everyone an Artist

I want to hear from you!

Please leave a comment below.

If you are an artist

Do you consider yourself a unique breed to humanity? Have you figured out how your art can prosper you? Do you work a job so you can pay for your art supplies? What are your thoughts on this idea?

If you are an art collector

Are you supporting a visual artist to create, to live their dream? Would you consider it?

Me, Mary Rush

Until Next Week

Sir Kitty

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

About the author: Mary Rush Gravelle is an artist who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty.