Craig Prepares For A New Painting. Sharing Childhood Memories

 Hello everyone. Here it is the beginning of summer and the weather has definitely been up and down drastically. For a couple days this past week it was about 40°C and then the next day it was about 18°C! Kind of crazy just like everything else in the world these days. That's why I'm making art and creativity isn't just fun and a way to express yourself, or a practical way to make gifts and things for others, it's a great way to divert our attention away from things that we might not want to think about for a while. I am all for knowing what's going on in the world and watching the news. Some thing I definitely did not do the first 25 years of my life. Ever since, I definitely like researching and listening to what's going on. However, I do admit these days with pandemics and other craziness, it is nice to have another place to go and focus on instead of the bombardment that seems to happen when you watch too much news.

On that note I want to ask if everyone's been creating and if so what have you been creating? Are you enjoying it? I often create for practical reasons. For instance it's somebody's birthday and I am too cheap to buy birthday cards so I make one. But actually handmade cards are far better because they're personalized and made by you. And I don't like the boring all the gray garbage can, so I decorate it with paint. Along with the kitchen table, planters outside, our mailbox… You get the idea, 

Due to Health/energy  issues, I haven't been able to be as productive as I used to be as an artist. But as long as I can create in some form or other when I am able to, it makes me happy. I don't know about you, but if I don't create in some form or other for too long, something just doesn't feel right. It's in the DNA I think. Makes sense since God created us in His image and he is the creator.

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My husband discovered it's in his DNA to over 30 years ago after being forced to retire due to the onset of a physical disability, exacerbated by work accidents. His cousin's wife is a great artist and she encouraged him to paint with watercolor. So he did and loved it. We got married almost 20 years ago and he started trying my acrylic paint leftovers, and hasn't looked back. Watercolours are beautiful, but acrylics are good for those of us who make a lot of mistakes because you can paint over them. I tried watercolours as well, and found it too much pressure to follow the rules. Which then would result in Muddy look paintings because I just didn't have the discipline to do it right. That doesn't mean don't try it. You could love it. It is an awesome medium.

On that note, I am posting Craig's newest concept drawing for his next painting. I really like it when he does stuff that he has fond memories of. With that comes a lot of cool stories from his childhood. Lord willing, I am planning on documenting the process for this painting. So enjoy. And happy creating.