I have so many dreams every night--it's a wonder that I'm not exhausted when I wake up in the morning, and it's the kind where I remember them....for about 5 minutes, and then I forget what they were about. It's weird how your mind works--maybe I should write the good ones down, and then when I read what I dreamt about later on, I'll think---did I really dream that?? Well anyway, I do remember fragments of my dreams, and this is where the art comes in---you know the layering--just like my dreams. I start with the first layer or dream--
......and the next one....
I added washes of paint, some more collage, including an image of my sketched face on a text page, some stenciling with paint and modeling paste, and then...
I was thinking I wanted to do some grid-style art (I kept my face--you know how they say not to get too attached to your background, because it will stop you from going further--well I was too attached to her, so I didn't cover her up) But I was just wasn't getting too excited over this grid. I just can't seem to let go when I make art--even though there may be layers, there has to be some order to it.
Well in the meantime, last week I got this book--
I'm sure a lot of you have this book by now, and it's great--I've been actually reading it and taking in what Flora is saying. A lot we've all heard before, but you can never hear it too often. She says--"Everything that happens along the way--every dab of paint, every emotion that arises, every brave new choice is an important ingredient in the final offering.. so when you work from this perspective, there's no room for fear to slip in. There are no mistakes" I always say this over and over, but it's not that easy for me---I hate the "ugly" stage, but I'm getting better--knowing that I will like it in the end---because basically there is no ending, until you say it's over--you can just keep going and going......
So---I just kept going (like my dreams at night :)
Whoa!!---this was a bit too chaotic for me, but I was trying not to get all stressed out about it---I just needed to get rid of some of the chaos and cover it up, but not all of it....
I pushed back some of it and then added more collage over it---I just left fragments...like my dreams....
...and I was still able to keep my face....peeking through...
So, you know how you hear when artists are sometimes asked where their ideas come from, and they say that they'll dream about them---well I guess, you could say that I dream about my art--well at the least the concept of it--all of the different layers.....
30 comments:
This is great Diane! I got my Flora book yesterday and am excited to start reading it.
I don't usually remember my dreams, but this past week I was dreaming that I was painting! lol...was so real and I've never painted in a dream before : )
Have a great Diane
Awesome!!! Your work is amazing! I just got Flora's book in the mail... Great one!
That was amazing to read and see the different stages. :) I bought FLora's book, too but haven't tried it out yet. :)
I guess I get too attached to my backgrounds and can't move forward. I must start with less enjoyable backgrounds, because I would never be able to completely cover those butterflies or that bingo card. Really lovely finish, though.
Love:O) Love the process, looking forward to getting Flora's book:O)
nicely done.
and although some of the early elements are not easily seen under the layers, the end product is lovely.
what an interesting perspective!
i never thought about our night-time dreams having an effect our art, but i can see how they totally could.
Diane, this was an amazing post! I am jealous how, when you are at that ugly stage, you know what to do about it. I get stuck there. My ugly stage usually involves everything being too dark and I just sit there looking at it going, oh , no I did it again. Thank you for the encouragement!!
Nice the way you worked through this whole process from dream to dreamy piece of wonderful art!
Love it!
I too dream every night and can remember most of them.
Your creations just amaze me. I love everything you do. What gift you have for creating beautiful art work.
I should buy this book for my granddaughter Kaci she loves doing this.
Have a wonderful week
Maggie
AMAZING...especially LOVE this post diane, in it's ENTIRETY, TREMENDOUSLY. and i can't wait to get my book so i hung on every word you wrote about it, thanks! xo
LOVE it! I really liked seeing how it started too. I can't wait to get my Flora book - it should be here soon! :) Keep dreaming!!
I love this post. You are such a creative lady, not just your art, but also your writing. I will have to look for this book, it just might be what I need to start my brave journey into mixed media. So far, I have just dipped my toes in (afraid to get wet, I guess). You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing, Connie :)
Great post, loved seeing how you worked your way through the process and what a stunning result! You were wise in keeping that face, perfect!
Hi Diane, I found you on a bit of a blog hop. I've decided to click on a link from each page I go to and see where I end up! Your artwork is beautiful. I loved the busy page but the end result is even more beautiful.
I'm getting better at the messy stage. I think it's important to show people that beauty doesn't come easily - I think some are under the illusion that you have to be perfect and some give the impression that they only create perfect art!
Wow this is fabulous! Thanks for sharing your process. It turned out beautiful! Both my daughter and I have been inundated with many dreams lately. It's crazy! This morning I awoke from the grossest spider dream!! I know I screamed!! I can't get this out of my head either!
I love how the face is peaking out. How you managed to make it even more beautiful!! Love the colors too!!
Hugs Giggles
What a lovely way to play with your backgrounds! I hate doing backgrounds but now I see what can come from them I may need to change my mind!
ManonX
Oh my gosh, I love it! Loved seeing the stages, awesome Diane! Flora is speaking at a book store just north of me this coming week. I really want to go. Happy Painting!
♥Jenny
You have the [patience of a saint Diane, and your skills are incredible! The layering and how you land up with still the transparent face shining thru....such emotion I think! Very beautiful!
I love how you wrote this post connected to your dreams,and your girls face is so beautiful and serene. Great!
Jennifer:)
This is fantastic. So inspiring.
i love that you are working to match up the canvas w/your internal life (or the other way around? or both?). + of course, then, this is BEAUTIFUL. xox
Wow! I've seen some incredible work done with Flora's teachings!
This is no exception! I love how you personalized the results and tweaked them to make them your own...more you :)
Oh, Diane! I honestly learn so much from you and your step-by-step pictures! Your layers are intoxicating and I am SO IN LOVE with that beautiful girl!
AND yay, Summer of Color! So happy that you will be playing along, xoxo
Love what you've done and was VERY interested to share the process - because I'm the same, only not as good as you at persevering!
Morning! Thank you for your sweet comment about the journal - it DID unfold into a story - love when that happens. Happy Thursday, xoxo
i also dream
a lot!
and i dream about art, as well
your piece felt full of dreams, to me
love the layers that happened for you and what you did with them
This was a great post Diane. Enjoyed it much. Your techniques are awesome. Lots of layers and then end result is always fabulous. Great work Diane. Have a wonderful weekend.
Diane, thank you so much for my sweet comment! xo!
I loved seeing your process and thinking. I love what you did to finish it. I have Flora's book too. It's very good. I am going to be brave and try some of her techniques.
Thank you for posting this, Diane! Flora lives about 80 miles north of us! In the same city as our daughter! I would love to take one of her classes! Ordering her book now! Great post!!!
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