Emotional "surfacing" or releasing of emotions is in the essence of who an artist is. So many artists take to their canvasses when feeling sadness, frustration and happiness. As brushes are applied to the surface, an artist has the freedom to release emotions. It can be evident in the hardness of a stroke, the use of dark or light, vivid or muted colors and/or the subject matter itself.
There has been a lot going on in the world lately. And depending where in the world you live - more versus less has impacts you and none of it is under your control.
This past 10 days, the Southern part of the US experienced two Category 4/5 Hurricanes, Harvey and Irma. During the past 2 months, the rhetoric between the US and North Korean governments has been incendiary - to say the least. While the UN and allies of both countries attempt to control and calm; it is little comfort for those of us who are at the mercy of world leaders.
Emotionally, it brings a lot to the surface. Helplessness, anger, sadness, frustration. When the catastrophe is a Hurricane - life stops for the people in its path. Evacuations, stocking up on food and gas, suspension of work and school help people prepare for survival. Priorities become clear when one thinks about which of their possessions to save. There is a "plan" (more or less) that can be worked out to deal with the aftermath of a natural disaster. The very fact that there is a "plan" is an action acknowledging hope. Hope that governments will help people, businesses will help people and people will help people.
When the nature of disruption is political, between nations and on a scale that impacts global security of the planet, how does one escape? Daily life must go on, right? We can't stand still in shock. We must continue to go to work, send our children to school, groceries need to be bought and food needs to be put on the table. This is how we hope. The action of "continuance" with one's daily life is a signal in and of itself that we continue to hope for the best and have faith that world leaders will not allow another nuclear disaster to occur.
There, I said it. NUCLEAR. I am acknowledging it.
Businessmen go back to the office, students go back to school, Artists go back to the studio. And I am continuing to paint; to plan for two upcoming shows and continuing to evolve. It's been a "stormy" time. Planning for two shows brings excitement and inspiration; but also brings anxiety and the need for daily self-affirmation.
My show in October is called The Fuji Collection. It's a theme I plan to continue paint as I evolve through various mediums. You can see some of them on the website Artsy. It's an online site of galleries offering their artists' pieces.
Many times as I paint and finish working on a piece, I use the left-over paint on another canvas and let my mood and emotions direct how and where I place the brush on the canvas. Sometimes the artwork doesn't amount to anything. Sometimes it does. This particular time, I am thinking a more extensive theme can be developed. Stormy. So far - here are what the paintings look like! I would love to hear your thoughts.
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| In progress This is oil on an F4 size wooden panel |
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| In progress Oil on M30 size canvas |
Until my next blog!
Peace. ART. Soul
Rajul
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