Acceptance
16x20
This painting is one that I've titled Acceptance. It's symbolic of what I'm going through with my creative process this year. Artists draw on their imaginations at the beginning of creating any new piece. That's where it all starts. Then comes the composition, color choices and a few hundred other decisions until the piece is finally completed.
I find that the final piece is seldom what I initially envisioned. But when some time has passed and I look back at the piece with fresh eyes, I see something entirely different. I'm no longer disappointed. I see a place I must have been at that particular time. I accept it.
I've learned something else this year. My dog, Lucy, had eye cancer and had her eye removed in January, just after we got back from our Florida trip. At first I couldn't even talk about it. But the operation was completely successful and I love her even more now (and she's spoiled from all the extra attention she gets). She adjusted well to her new handicap and enjoys life with the same zest as always. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all accept things so easily?
18 comments:
Janelle, what a touching post. What you said about looking at a piece and accepting that that's where you were at that particular time really resonates with me. Lately I've been trying to accept the paintings, even the duds, by looking at them and thinking 'That is the best painting I could do at that time...'. Because it is, and the paintings are like little diaries in some way, reflections of our time and place. Maybe we should title everything Acceptance #1, Acceptance #2, and so on...
Lucy looks adorable! What a great parallel about acceptance.
Very moving post, Janelle and so true on so many levels. I am enjoying seeing your work develop in this new direction. I am getting ready to start the second PLL class next week and have been thinking about all of you and how well you did. Perhaps I can get you to do a guest post on the class blog (maybe right after Meltdown Week...:). BTW, our dear departed Jack Russell had an eye removed when he was about 5 and he not only adapted beautifully but it gave him a roguish charm well into old age. Your Lucy is a lucky girl!
A big kiss to Lucy!!!! I remember when my friend had to get her cat's leg amputated. At first it seemed so awful, I was afraid to even see the cat again or hold him...then, like everything, we just all got used to it. :)
I liked your post a lot. I too need to learn to accept that whatever I paint at a given moment is where I am in skill level, interest, etc., at that time.
Janelle, You are so right. It is so hard, how we put ourselves out there every day, exposed in our process, our journey. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it. I often feel the same way.
The parallel story about Lucy is wonderful....if only we can be so wise. I look at her picture and I just want to hug her. She's lucky to have you.
Hi Karen, I like that idea about the titles. Funny how paintings reflect moods and chapters in our lives. Lucy is resting today. She was swimming and running after the frisbee all day yesterday.
Hi Deborah, I learned so much from taking your online class and am exploring the many ways to go with it. I would love to do a guest post sometime (especially during Meldown Week)! It's good to hear how your sweet dog adapted so well!
Hi Jala, I'm always amazed at the different aspects of your work. Isn't it funny how quickly we get used to changes? I don't even think about her one eye anymore.
Loriann, It's so true that we expose ourselves on canvas and are sometimes too hard on ourselves for taking the plunge. I admire your courage all the time!
Hugs to you and Lucy. Animals have that wonderful ability to accept and adjust. Your post touches my heart a great deal and is very thought provoking too.
Our life and artistic journeys are intertwined. Thank you for sharing. And I find this painting very lovely and moving. You have a wonderful talent Janelle.
WOW Janelle, you're just getting better and better! I love these last paintings, they are very calming to look at. I think somehow your acceptance of your beautiful work somehow translates into a satisfied feeling in your paintings.
I do the same as Karen, I paint something and realize I'm doing the best I can at that time and that's the end of it. I guess that's a way of accepting my talent for what it is and not being too hard on myself.
I'm so glad your dog Lucy is okay, she's darling.
Joan
ow...what a beautiful post, I admire your work and how you post your new paintings ( texts, thoughts, etc). Your explanation about acceptance is very helpful , a very reflective text. Yes, Lucy (and your family) is lucky to have you!
I love the tranquility this piece evokes.
Your Lucy reminds me of our dear yellow labs, Beau and Ralph, God rest their doggy souls.
Hi Kathleen, I like your comment saying that our life and artistic journey are intertwined. It's oh so true!
Hi Joan, I'm so glad you think my paintings are calming to look at because that's my goal. However the acceptance part is also my goal. Good luck with the submission of your paintings - they're beautiful!
Hi Fabio, You're very kind. I think your personality definitely shows in your work.
Hi Willow, I enjoy your blog so much - I read it everyday along with hundreds of others!
hey. i hope you are well too, Janelle. thanks for thinking of me:)
your title posts have a special meaning to me since 'solitude'..then 'work in progress', 'sunrise' and 'acceptance'
it reflects a little ray of light..a flicker of hope and it gets stronger with each step.
i wish i can say i'm totally out of the woods..i suspect, that would be highly improbable (is there such a word?)but maybe not totally impossible.
Some Love Stories do last forever. Only death breathes relief and freedom. But i guess, as long as Life drags you along.. we just have to rise above the darkness and grasp some light when we spot it. Acceptance.
hugs and love enclosed,
Silver
Hi Silver, A little ray of hope and a flicker of light. They're coming your way, it just takes time. Hugs and love to you too!
Janelle, I love this thoughtful post and your beautiful painting. You are achieving such soft and wonderful edges with the translucent glazes. If your recent work is half as good in person as they are in pictures: You are on a great track! Accept it!
I must say that I agree with you. I'm starting to look at my paintings differently. They are a record of my state of mind at the time more than they are of the subject. This is very evident in your newer paintings.
Some people scrapbook. We paint.
Your dog still looks adorable. You are lucky that you still have her.
Hi Diane, The track I'm on is challenging, but you give me encouragement to stay on it. Thank you.
Hi Neetzy, I love your point of view (again). I never thought of painting compared to scrapbooking! But there are similarities. Yes, we're so lucky to have Lucy!
beautiful blog entry...beautiful painting, beautiful dog, beautiful beautiful beautiful
I love this post! Your paintings evoke so much mood, they are truly beautiful. I also love your dog, Lucy. It is so difficult to watch a loved one suffer through an illness or disability. I am always amazed at how these beautiful souls triumph over such adversity. Having someone to care and support them is part of that journey and it is evident that you care very deeply. You are very blessed to have each other.
Celeste, Thank you so much!
Hi Trish, Thanks for your kind comments. Animals are such innocent souls. It's a joy to see our Lucy enjoying everyday.
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