I used to think my creative process was confined ONLY to the time I spend with paint brush in hand. NOTHING could be further from the truth!
Truth is, our creative process begins as we grant ourselves persmission to dream. We drift off to sleep to reconnect our soul with the divine. it's no accident we wake refreshed and ready to face a new day of being human on earth. For this we must have perennial hope, and most of all perennial mercy.
The titles of my paintings are delivered to me when I ask. Usually this ooccurs AFTER the painting has emerged. With this collection, I had no inkling in a conscious way that what I was painting would bring me to the 'Threshold of a Dream.'
For decades I've dreamt my paintings would feel as 'at home' in hand as my pastels. Not sure even what that meant, suddenly I find myself mixing earthy pastels with pearlescent pigments. What is most startling is that I feel strangely 'at home.'
In this new turf of mixing media ~ acrylic and vinyl flashe paint alternate with layers of pastel and willow charcoal, and collaged silk, copper, and handmade paper. The juxtaposition of matte and shiny, gritty and pearly, vibrant and muted feels sublime.
Slumber Bonnet began wtih two sister paintings, as i brushed copper paint over three sheets of Arches paper. I had no specific vison for the paintings, only to experiment with some new flashe paint I'd just acquired.
With each layer, I painted the three in succession drawing from emotions of the day. I'd spent the mornings in my garden, planting and transplanting perennials throughout my garden. I was focused on selecting native plants that would double their root systems and come back next year with flourishing blooms. Bending over to plant new annuals each season was becoming more difficult, native perennials I thought would be a good investment of my time and stamina.
At the same time I was also painting four works on handmade paper collage that I'd started ten years ago. As if they'd waited in the drawer for just this moment, suddenly the spark was present. Again, no particular vision ~ only the spark and a desire to explore.
Simultaneously, a 6' x 8' diptych leaned against the big wall. I'd been painting it off and on since January. At one point I thought it was complete. Then she started speaking again. I used to think there was something wrong with me, that I shoud be able to finish a painting and move on.
Realizing and accepting my own particular process brought me to Threshold of a Dream. Paint until my heart's content, interpret my dreams as i wish.