Comparison
I attended a “Paint Out” last month in WI.
Large group. Invite only.
Very talented.
Somehow I managed to squeak in.
I worked on collage mostly.
My tag calendar.
It is finished and in my Etsy shop now.
Pre-order. I will have the calendar professionally printed and ship the first week in December.
But.
I did paint.
Each person can put up to two paintings into a critique at the end of the week for feedback from the group.
Some bring paintings that are in process and close….
Others show what they worked on that week. (Some were spectacular.)
Most paint watercolor.
Realism.
And then, there is me.
Acrylic.
And abstract.
Other end of the scale.
I do love painting on wooden cradles.
No bounce. (like canvas)
Sturdy.
They take the punishment.
Wet and scraping.
Sanding.
Mostly to tell a story. [my story]
Where it started.
Where this has been.
I love the digging back through not fully dry paint.
The soak of some water.
Dab off? It can be a delicate dance between I didn’t let the water sit long enough…. and that was too long.
(eye roll)
Maybe a little rinse. (More of a wash really.)
To reveal what was underneath.
The colorway and texture.
Is there a balance?
Are there lights? And darks?
At the critique, I was a little disappointed at the lack of questions.
And no feedback….. ( good. bad. or otherwise)
This was one of those times. I had to remind myself…
You.
Are different from this group.
And not everyone speaks “Kristin.”
Different is good.
Besides, comparison doesn’t do anybody any good.
These people are super duper nice. And fun to paint alongside (and eat with, play cards with); but they may not be your “people.”
You are fine. (self-talk)
Do I like my painting?
Yes.
Then I am fine.
Keep your head down.
Your paintbrush loose.
And do your thing.
I varnished a couple of these the other day….catch the reel here.
*Friendly reminder that you are the magic. Do your own thing. Don’t follow the crowd.
**And no comparison. (sharing just in case someone else needs to read, hear and remember this)
Xo. kristin
