Expressions of Love

Title?
5"x5" Acrylic on canvas

Title?
5"x5"
Acrylic on canvas

"Duplicity"
5"x10" Acrylic on canvas

Title?
5"x 10" (2x 5"x5")
Acrylic on canvas

"Serendip"
5"x10" (2x 5"x5")
Acrylic on canvas

"Artscape"
5"x10" (2x 5"x10")
Acrylic on canvas

Flow
5"x 15" (3x 5"x5")
Acrylic on canvas


Last week I set out to paint a series of paintings on very small canvases. They are 5"x5". Some of these turned out to be single paintings, and the others are in sets of twos or threes. I still have four singles and a set of three to finish. (I've been putting these on Etsy.) I almost got those done. I also took a day to paint a series of abstract paintings for a workshop that my daughter Elsie has asked me to do the first part of May. These she will be posting on her blog, I believe about Thursday. More on that from me later.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about "Why do I create?" Why do I do this- I enjoy it so much-but why? Why? Why ?" Sounds like a two year old!! I am working on sorting through and expressing these thoughts on paper. Also, I'm probably thinking more and more about it, because as an artist just beginning to emerge I'm realizing that this is a part of the work as well.

I entitled this blog "Expressions of Love" because that was the first thought that came to my mind as I began to question why I've been doing what I am doing. And so, these are those thoughts in the very beginning stages. And yes, I do look for them to evolve and strengthen as I pursue and immerse myself more into this process.

First- for me- it's a language- a way of expressing my innermost self. It's a visual language. Oh, I wish I were talented in music, or writing or even in good communication skills, but none of those are me, communication comes most easily in a visual form. Most importantly, I believe it's a language that has been given to me in order to praise my God, Creator and Father. This is why I feel is if they are expressions of love, a pouring out of my soul, a form of praising, like singing or dancing. Many times I am dancing as I am painting- ya, that is a real site to see!!

I love reading the Psalms. This is a book in the bible where David pours out his soul to God in song. David was an artist who expressed his praises in song, poetry and dance. Psalms are his expressions written in song. Some of these can be very depressing, some are out of desperation, some of hope, some of love,some full of joy, some questioning, and the list goes on and on. What I love is this is David's personal relationship with his Lord, and it's not always perfect or pretty, but it's real.

My next thought, is that I believe that when these expressions are occurring it will truly speak and touch the soul of others. So what has been given as a gift is to be given to others. - spread the love- a space in time has been created.

These are my Sunday morning thoughts- creating and painting are much more than just playing, although that is a plus, they are a form of praising God for who He is- and all that He has done and continues to do for us. God is love!

Let all that I am praise the Lord,
O Lord my God, how great you are!
Psalm 104