People are often curious about my paint process. They ask me, “Do I have a plan as I approach a painting? Do I have my colors picked out ahead of time?” With abstract art, for me anyway, it’s more of a "letting go" than a “plan in advance” experience. My job is to show up to the easel, don my apron, get out my tools and fill my palette, giving my creative spirit plenty of choices, depending on which direction the painting takes me.
My mentor taught me to use a full palette, which means to put out a variety of colors to choose from as I’m painting. For me that’s usually a generous heap of white plus toothbrush-sized drops of yellows, browns, greens, blues, oranges, and occasionally a red, which can then be mixed to create endless variations. This works much better than limiting myself to only the colors I think I will want to use.
It’s practical too. Once the creative juices are flowing, I find it really hard to stop and take the time to open more tubes of paint. If I've started with a limited palette and I suddenly need a different color, I am resistant to pausing to give myself what I really need. I'll keep trying to make what I have work, and I end up frustrated and disappointed. And it makes no sense. What I need is right there, and I could have it with minimal effort.
A full-palette approach allows more room for spontaneous experimentation, inspiration and intuitive guidance. I may mix two colors together on a whim and be delighted with the result. I may not use all the colors I put out, but the options are there. Creative expression and the resulting sense of satisfaction and fulfillment is much more likely.
A painting with a wide variety of colors, even if they aren’t dominant on the surface, is often more interesting than one created with a limited palette. Much like a life that has been lived adventurously is more interesting than one that has been played safe in a smaller box.
Each day we all wake up and approach our days using the palette we have prepared for ourselves. You may not have done it consciously, but you have created a palette to do life from.
Probably the best way I can illustrate what living from a full palette looks like is a tool I use in my coaching program, A Life Worth Having. It's a module called "The Wheel of Fortune."
When we nurture the various parts of us that need care, stimulation and security, we are going to have a smoother ride, and we will be much more likely to feel satisfied at the end of each day, each week, and ultimately, as we near the end of our days. It usually doesn't take a lot of
rearranging to feel more balanced and inspired, but we have to make sure we're giving ourselves the options we need.
Maybe adding a book club or a dance class would put more bounce in your step? Or start taking day trips to art galleries or botanical gardens? Perhaps adopting or enhancing a meditation practice, or trying a new church? Are you moving your body and raising your heartbeat often?
Maybe regular vacations are needed? We all need something to look forward to. Visiting a local park to walk and/or watch birds can do wonders for the soul. Going to the dollar store to buy bubbles to play with is a favorite way of mine to restore childlike wonder. I don't know what you need for full palette living, but you do. Or you can just start trying some of these suggestions.
So what’s in your palette? Are you being generous with yourself and putting out a lot of options to allow for depth, variety, and contrast? Are you having spontaneous and colorful adventures? Or are you trying to create a vibrant, beautiful life using only mixes of white, black and blue?
If your palette is full, congratulations. That’s awesome. Paint on! But if it feels like there’s something missing, or you want to be more creative than your palette is currently allowing, take an honest look at what you’ve given yourself to work with. Work, eat, sleep, repeat is not how we are intended to live. There must be some life in our lives. How can you expand your options?
The good news is it’s never too late to pause, determine what else you might need, and add a little more color to your palette, and thus your life. Happy painting!
Does today's meditation resonate with you? Please share your voice in our FTG Readers Group on Facebook. Your hopes, thoughts and dreams matter to me.
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Cheers to a great week, noticing the gifts that matter most. Feel free to share with a friend.
My painting of the week is below!
Until next time...
To your gifts!
Angela
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Abstract Painting of the Week
If you'd like to see more of my art, please visit my website. Reply to this email if there is something you're interested in. I also offer commissions and shipping is available.
After the Storm 24x24 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.
My painting "New Horizons" shown below was selected as April's Art of the Month by All About Art Gallery and Framing in Hendersonville, TN. I was honored to chat with the gallery for their twelfth episode of "Behind the Brush" about how I came to be an artist and my process in creating abstract paintings. Click here to watch! |
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