Passions of an Odd Chick

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Secrets

journal, acrylic


















shhhhhhhh....
You want to know a secret?
I think I'm afraid of canvas. And Oils. And Permanence.
Paper is safer. Paper is thin, cheaper and can be tucked under your bed, slid behind your bookshelf, torn-up, unnoticed, unverified, closed up in your journal.
CanVAS. OILS!! oMG! So expensive, a "real" painting, lasting decades. Someone might grab it up and say, "Hang it here", or "I want this one"... or what is this back here, under here??
And then every little mistake - your crooked eye, your disproportionate hand, you strange color palettes, your missed mark, your held breath,  will be there for everyone to see, to point out, to make a mountain out of..... 
The perfectionist must meet the randomness of your creativity. Not a good couple. They fight all the time.
Someone might have a great expectation if you got an easel out and a canvas and spent weeks on a painting... and it still didn't measure up.
Michele Cassou says: "The Dragon of Control has many faces; don't let it fool you with cleverly disguised arguments."
                         I say:
Never trust your secret face. 
It's a secret for a reason. 

14 comments:

Jennifer Richardson said...

hilarious:)
...feeling it, too.
-Jennifer

Rebecca Anthony said...

OMG this is absolutely fabulous, I love it!!! Wow!! I don't know what it is but it's wonderful!

Nancy said...

I think a big surprise is around the corner; I can't wait to see........

L'Adelaide said...

this is so timely, i have been thinking of buying a little set of oils and giving it a try with the usual million reasons why i shouldn't....funny you should bring it up NOW!

and she's cute :)

xoxo

Poetic Artist said...

Your secrets are safe with me and the rest of the blog world..
You know what they say about secrets. Once shared with more than one it is no longer a secret.
LOL.

Unknown said...

GREAT! This is a fabulous spread and the writing that you put with it is perfect, and sadly very true!

Steve Emery said...

I wonder if anyone ever sees our art with a more critical eye than we do? Maybe - but it would be hard.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

I felt the same way about attempting painting on canvas, something very intimidating about that big yawning space. But it was the next step, and you know we can't stay in a holding pattern forever, so step we do. What a great post and your secret gal is wonderful.

Diane said...

Ahh--perfect art on canvas is BORING!! Make it imperfect--then it's art!!

Buffy said...

She's adorable.

Beth Nicholls said...

I'm so with you! Anyway, your paper creations are simply gorgeousXx

danielle daniel said...

Dearest Peggy,

I too have shied away from oil...they seem so grown up! Canvases work for me because if I don't like the end result, I just cover it with paper and start all over again. You my dear have nothing to be afraid of... Your work is beautiful and those canvases should be so lucky to have your brushstrokes on them.
Go for it!
I dare you!
xo

Sorrow said...

wow.
hit the mark..

Vikki North said...

Just wanted to stop by and say Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year, my friend.
Vikki