There are blessed times when inspiration and creative follow-through run seamlessly in the studio, times when I am almost startled to suddenly realize, “Woah, I’m done.” I am grateful for these moments because (like life) studio time mostly involves starts and stops, making choices, making more choices, and dealing with quite a few do-overs. 

These paintings, however, were a fast-placed blast, conceived quite by accident and without my notice, thousands of miles away from my studio. The story: While in a gift shop with my sister, Jean mentioned she’d been looking for a singing bowl. We found some, stacked in a multi-colored pyramid of hand-made boxes. We spent a very fun afternoon opening all the boxes and dinging all the bowls to find the tones we wanted for ourselves.

Here’s my first attempt from start to finish where I discover that ironing off the wax lifts off iridescent paint as well. On all of these paintings, I had to go back in and repaint areas (which was ok and now I know).

But this story is not about the bowl. I mention the bowl, and the miles away from the studio, and the not thinking about making art, to demonstrate how an innocuous moment can lead to a fun idea and all the good-feeling energy that follows - if you run with it.   

My point? Ideas and inspiration are everywhere-all-the-time-available if we are open to them. And I don’t mean inspiration just for the studio; it works the same in the larger frame of life. 

This is my second attempt with Jean in mind. The backgrounds look bluish because I photo’d them in early evening time.

But, back to my story, which technically is not about the bowl or the box, but the design on the box: A thousand-petaled lotus blossom to be exact. And that’s what got me going.

I wondered, “What would my thousand-petaled lotus blossom look like?” A few fun-filled hours later, I had it. What I appreciate is that this stayed fun. I wasn’t trying for anything. Like a kid, I just wanted to do it because it captured my interest. (Of course, so did using a ridiculously long screw I found in one of Dad’s garage boxes to draw a very large “L” for Logan on his newly refurbished garage door but that’s totally another story…)

By this third attempt, which I created for my brother Max, I was so excited and into the process that I forgot to photograph the stages! Interesting note: How I perceive Jean and Max shows up clearly in the paintings. 

As you know, my word of the year is “wonder” and that kid-like theme led me to incorporating iridescent watercolors into my batik method. Those paints are a part of this story, too. One idea becomes the springboard for others - the great fun game of life.

Along the way, I was sidetracked by other springboard ideas and I’ll be showing you those next so stay tuned, friends!

With love and love, 

Judy

I don’t do New Year Resolutions. I prefer to set the new year’s tone by sending out a single-word invitation. And the process to find that word brings gifts of its own - clarity and alignment are examples.

The creative process begins: I hand scripted my word and then Jean gave me the idea of cutting and repositioning the letters to make it more “wonder-like”. The frame dimensions determine the size of my painting and I’m off.

I use the word as a beacon more than a baton; I prefer to focus on what’s right in my life rather than spend too much time on what isn’t.  

I like the whole process of choosing a theme for the year. It requires a bit of house-cleaning - a deep dive into what no longer feels good. I scrutinize all things mental, physical, and emotional.

The top paper shows the design so far. Dragonflies are total kid magic to me so in they went. The bottom paper shows I moved one of the dragonflies, then painted them and my word in iridescent colors. (You can’t see much reflection because it was late in the day when I took this photo.) The turquoise is a gorgeous color and makes me happy.

I then spend quiet time thinking about which parts of me I wish to explore, experiment with, or expand upon. Meanwhile, I brainstorm any and all words that cross my mind.  

It’s fascinating to observe where this can lead. For example: In December I chose “aligned” and watched how simply thinking about this word brought me into alignment in many ways within a month.  

Here you see some iridescent reflection. At this point, I’m thinking I could be done and move on to (here’s my inner critic speaking) something “more of value”.

So, I returned to my list: “lift-off”, “open”, “light”, “embrace”, “eager”, and “allow” came to mind. So many choices…Finally, in January, one felt more right.  

Wonder - the child-like sense of “isn’t this the greatest thing ever?!” response mostly seen in dogs and children. I can remember waking up so eager to dig in to my new day and I knew I wanted more of that in 2023.

Kudos to me, I decided to follow through and enjoy this moment of pure kid fun (meaning, hey! let’s add spirals!) Dragonflies and spirals. I am complete…until I paint in a spiral the adult me doesn’t like. Dilemma: Kid or adult? Go on as is and who cares or correct the composition? Adult won and I tried to paint out the errant spiral. Can you see where?

But back to my story. Sure, I had my tantrums and disappointments, yet I was able to move past those times with the ease of a young heart. So, definitely, give me more of that, please.  

Imagine living your day like this - how light would your body feel, how much room could you find to allow dreams to surface (or re-surface)? Anything could be possible. 

I tried to live with the painted out bit, I really did. But this kind of thing really bugs me; it’s all I saw when I looked at my word. On close inspection, you’ll find three separate color washes: two different light gray ones (boring) and finally a charcoal wash.

Think of your dreams, your desires, your needs. Big or small. Everything matters. And then let them guide you forward.

It’s really about reclaiming who we truly are, giving ourselves the go-ahead to do what matters most to us, allowing in more satisfying moments. Then watching the magic unfold.

Now my word pops and the iridescence really shows against the dark background. The kid in me rejoices and now I look forward to the next fun thing.

Yeah…give me much, much more of that, please.

Judy

PS: Here’s a re-do of a painting my boyfriend bought years ago so I would “stop right there”. I felt it was unfinished but have lived with it on our wall for a number of years. Recently, I saw a painting with large ovals placed over the background and I thought, “That would look GREAT on this (to me) unfinished painting. Took just a little cajoling, but Forrest and I both love this painting now more than before. My point? Trust. Trust that pushing may not be the way to go. Trust that Divine Timing has your back. Trust that, when the time is right, the perfect and often much more satisfying way forward will be shone to you. Wonder….

I hesitate to admit this, but I think my paintings may actually be gone. I’ve been super busy with my condo redo: culling, clearing, cleaning, repairing, repainting, reorganizing. Moving stuff to storage, tearing things down, giving things away. The process seems to have lasted for months. Happily, my place now feels spacious, open, uncluttered, inviting - bright white walls, select items on display, and - ahhhh - room to breathe.

First light pigment wash with melted wax spirals added after. I adore turquoise - probably my now favorite color.

It was a major upheaval to live in all that messy chaos, moving piles from here to there and back again as I progressed from room to room, sleeping on the couch because my bed was piled with stuff. My life screeched to a halt, no room in my brain for creativity or restful relaxation; I could only think about the next item on my list.

2nd wash adding medium blues and cobalt blue, some blue-green.

I felt scattered, drained yet determined, knowing what a great thing I was accomplishing for my Future Self. This preoccupation caused me to misplace some paintings. I was taking them to Forrest’s to be videoed. Somewhere between my place and his, I set them down and left them. Now they are gone and no one has, as yet, responded to my “lost” notices asking for their return.

Third pigment wash, stronger application with medium values and now playing with dropping in colors to mix as they will.

It took awhile for me to remember exactly which paintings were in the bunch. A couple of in-progress pieces, and “Spiralocity” - a cherished painting that was inches to completion and a joy to create. Also, a painting I had recently sold. That feels the worst as it affects another.

Here I’ve waxed over the spirals so I can apply an indigo color wash freely over the whole painting. I deliberately applied the melted wax thick and thin so the indigo could mix in.

I was devastated. Oddly, I didn’t spend too much time beating myself up. That’s a first for me. And a huge win. Progress, for sure. I lived a few sorrowful days, but I’m better now. I took the bounce and realized I can still create. I haven’t lost an arm or an eye or my brain. I’m healthy and loved and I’m already back in the studio.

Final painting completely waxed and ironed. At this stage I had begun applying orange and yellow pencil along some of the spiral curves to add depth and pop. This is when I I lost it and I am still grieving. This painting was magic for me and I’m very sad at its loss.

I’m still hopeful. Hopeful that whoever has them will feel moved to give them back. But I’m moving on because that’s the best gift I can give myself. Accept the loss, acknowledge the grieving process while taking the next logical step.

This is the painting I had sold to my friend Cindy that was misplaced as well. Watercolor on 300# watercolor paper using the hide and seek method.

Be safe, be happy!

Judy