"Quirky Selfie" is the theme this month at the PAF Gallery.
I know selfie's are often a challenge for people and I am no different.
Here we go . . .
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have always been able to see and appreciate the beauty in other people, in a myriad of plants, animals and even critters I am not particularly fond of. Exquisitely crafted books, poetry, music that stirs the soul and art that leaves me open-mouthed in awe of the creativity . . . not difficult to pronounce them as works of beauty. Seeing it in myself was something I have struggled with much of my life.
Believing we are all marked by our Maker with elements of beauty, it seems that I needed to shift my attitude towards myself and acknowledge and embrace my own beauty.
As I have alluded to in previous posts, for a long time I disqualified myself from using the word "Artist" to describe myself. Having moved past that I have stepped out in a number of ways.
This Photo Art Friday link-up has been instrumental in releasing my inner child and giving me permission to play with no rules but lots of inspiration and sharing of techniques and processes.
And . . . this past Saturday, I went to a Prophetic Art Workshop and played with real canvas and paint and brushes. Oh joy! All my life I have wanted to paint and have never done more than a few paint by numbers as a child.
Here are my first fumbling attempts at painting with acrylics.
It was really mostly about feeling the way the brushes move and how different strokes look but oh what fun I had and can hardly wait for the next workshop.
Come see what's hanging in the gallery over at Bonnie's . . .
Are you writing about me? you could so easily be. Your PAF selfies are gorgeous but your "fumbling attempts at painting" look anything but to me!
ReplyDeleteWow! Where to begin ... first your selfies are just amazing. I adore the creativity of the first one and that you have planted your feet on the definition of 'artist' in the next two. So meaningful. You truly are artistic Andrea and if PAF played even the tiniest role in helping you claim and express that artistry I am humbled and honored.
ReplyDeletePainting is certainly a natural progression for you and I'm tickled to hear you are now playing with paint. I just know you will love the immediacy and sensual nature of it all. If those are your first paintings - I can only imagine what the future has in store!!! Bravo!
Your feet are beautiful dear friend... in His image, bringing the Good News, splashed around with Artist... who we are in His image... creating with the Abba heart within us.... Your acrylics look like you are on the beach with waves and palm branches... or Easter and the preparing the way of the King.
ReplyDeleteBlessings dear friend as you allow the child to come forth...
Love the selfie, love the feet - and love your paintings. I dabbled a bit in painting before moving here, but sadly have not picking up the brush since....I may have to change that!
ReplyDeletelove your selfie with the repetitions of your face...
ReplyDeleteA grand collection of movement and loose style, full of energy!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat selfies, cousin! And I'm so thrilled you get to play with paints and brushes and canvas. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteso many beautiful images. i love that you've been able to find your creative way through the many processes. i think that's what it takes is exploration into something we know and sometimes don't know to achieve something new and refreshing. thank you for stopping by my blog. hope all is well. have a great weekend~
ReplyDeleteThe world will gain when you realize the talent you have locked up inside of you. Everywhere one of your photos or paintings is placed and viewed the audience will be inspired and 'held fast' for a moment of pondering and introspection. The beauty of your heart radiates from your work. I feel privileged to have watched it unfold in these posts. Hugs, dear sister in the Lord.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Beautiful post. Beautiful you. Beautiful art. It is great that you are finding ways of expressing yourself and are not afraid to share it with us. Painting is wonderful, for now I am doing (real) painting in Photoshop. But I hope that one day I will go back to painting water color and acrylics like I used to up into my twens.
ReplyDeleteAha - I see a Butterfly has emerged from her cocoon! Beautiful selfie Andrea. The second 'fumbling' work of art really resonates with me - it says ocean waves, gentle breezes, playing fish. Must be the Aquarius in me...
ReplyDeleteI like the first photo most. and the coluors on the others, Funny that yuo see a seal in my photo.Ha de gott
ReplyDeleteI sure can relate to what you have shared! All of your art work is beautiful! I have a hard time calling myself a photographer..Anyway God knows what each of us has need of and I am thankful for that..
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for stepping out side the box. I used to paint watercolours, but I now paint with my camera. Yours paintings are wonderful, love the first one.
ReplyDeleteYour "Selfie" turned out great. It has a nice artistic flair to it. I liked the feet portraits too. Bet it was fun mixing it up with actual paint.
ReplyDeleteyou are a work of BEautimousness, my friend. keep enJOYing just BEing and you will never cease to BE amazed an amused!! go with whatever makes your heart sing even the tiniest note!!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to play around with pictures and colors
ReplyDeleteAndrea! How exciting! Your "selfie" is great and so are your paintings! The birth of an artist! Or should we say re-birth !
ReplyDelete