Creativity At Its Best

I often ask myself, "Why do I want to paint?", What is the driving force within me that makes me want to paint?"  I probably ask these questions every time I pick up a brush or want to create something artistic.  If you have seen my art, most of what I paint doesn't exist.  I enter into a state of colorful euphoria.

I have days where I'm discouraged and feel that my art isn't good enough.  Then I ask myself, "Good enough for who?"  I pray over each piece I start.  As I'm creating, I get a wonderful feeling.  I get so much joy over painting.  I have finally come to a realization that if I find joy in painting and what I create, why does it matter who likes it.  Don't get me wrong, I love that other people other than myself like my art -- my collectors are awesome.  However, I can really pull myself down thinking that my art isn't good enough.  I've had to stop comparing myself to other artists and what they create.  We all have a different level of education and training.  What should matter is that art brings me joy.  Art lets me escape into a world outside of the one we share.

I was in one of my frump moods regarding my art and I just started talking to God and asking Him to help me to create things that have purpose and meaning.  As most of you who follow my blog know, I'm recently retired and I'm trying to subsidize my retirement income.  I have to say, I've been somewhat successful in this area.  The fact that I sell anything is amazing to me.  So I asked God to help me to be creative and to reach people who like my art and may want to purchase it.  I asked what can I do that is different.  So upon opening my eyes, I saw a bowl of stones in front of me.  Then my inner voice (who I call God -- when it isn't my idea), said, "Turn those stones into bread!"  At first I thought -- how blasphemous -- to everyone that knows who said that to who!!  But then I got it.  I'm old -- bread translated to money.  At first I thought, "Yeah, right!!"  I sold five stones in the first week!!  In fact, I've sold many in the last couple months!!!  Thus my Stone to Bread Series was created.

It's so exciting to do commissions too.  It's also a huge responsibility to me when someone asks me to paint their concepts.  I'm very prayerful when I start a commission.  So far, every commission that has been entrusted to me, the collectors are very satisfied with the results.  What is a huge compliment is when the collector says to me, I don't want to put any idea in your head, just give me one of your colorful originals!!

Thank You Collectors Of My Art

These past few days I have been working on opening up some exposure to my art to other artists using social media.  I am blown away by the artistic creativity that exists.  There are so many options to purchase art.  I just want to personally thank my collectors who own, have bought my art and continue to support it.  You have so many options, but have chosen to buy and display my art.  I can't tell you enough how appreciative I am of you!!

Progression of Creativity

I love when a collector gives me an opportunity to do a commissioned painting for them.  Some give me concepts and others tell me to just create a Cindy original.  I love the Cindy originals.  I always tell my collectors that when I do a painting, I say a prayer over each one.  I always ask God to give me something in the painting that will reach the collector on an emotional level.  Always, even when a particular piece wasn't commissioned by the collector, the person collecting my art is moved in some way by the piece. Even when provided a concept by the collector, it still becomes a Cindy original, because my perception of what they describe could be totally different from what they imagined.  I've not yet experienced someone not liking the paintings I have completed for them.  Thank goodness.  I always provide them an out though.  I tell them if the painting isn't taking the direction they wanted it to take, I can always sell the piece I am working on to someone else.

My artist friend, Robin Maria Pedrero, has on many occasions shown the progression of her art projects.  I am thrilled to see her creativity evolve from just a splash of paint on her canvas.  It's amazing to see.  In fact, I have many artist friends on Facebook who have shown their progression of art projects.  So recently, I've been trying to do the same thing.  I usually try to show the progression of a piece to my collectors who have commissioned me.  I want to see their reaction as I add elements to the painting.  There have been times that I wished I hadn't taken that extra step in a painting and wished there was a photo shop feature for taking those strokes back.  And there have been times, when I haven't done enough.  I love being able to share progression with all my collectors and social media friends.  The feedback they provide is so encouraging!!

It really thrills me, when I receive a new follower or a comment from someone who has never seen or collected my art.

Below are the progression photos I took while creating "Living Color".