Chapter 9’s storyboard painting took a little longer than I’d anticipated due to the battle of the icy cold weather, preventing me from going out onto the balcony some weekend days. My favorite weather-related term during that time was “thunder sleet,” which sounds like an anime character.
Another thing that consumed my time was picking up a part-time writing job, which was more challenging than I thought it would be. Fantastic learning curve, yet I could only work on that project during the weekend, which took priority over painting.
Nonetheless, I knew one of my spring break goals, other than recruiting artists for The Austin Writers Roulette, was finishing this painting. I painted nearly every day during vacation. At times, I spent two hours on the balcony during one setting. Although I know I’m becoming a better painter, I cannot help but be disappointed about how certain parts of the canvas looks, especially Infinity’s dreads in the 5th and 6th circles and the unattractiveness of the arms. I’m getting better at painting fingers, but not the overall hand. I’ve simplified how I paint the noses, which is great because I spend even less time agonizing over it.
Another thing I enjoy is playing with the boundaries of the “storyboard” format. Clearly, each individual painting has a story behind it. The first one has the clearest story, but is the worst painted. The fourth one perhaps has the second clearest narrative, but the rest need the text. I’m certainly not allowing my lack of skills stop me from rendering a scene. Seems with each painting, I’m upping the skill ante. Perhaps that’s why I don’t seem to make much progress with body parts when I spend so much time on the novel things, such as that magnifying glass or green skin.
For the next canvas, I have to draw/paint many inanimate objects found in a diving shop. I can already feel myself getting swamped in the details. Something to look forward to!
It is a wonder you paint at all with that whiny critic interfering with your every brush stroke.
Do you think Picasso let Pablo whine about ‘that doesn’t look like a real face’ or ‘it’s not as good as I anticipated’? Drivel
Painting is and can only be, an expression of who you think you are at the moment of it’s creation.
The flaws you perceive are only in the eyes of the beholder.
Accept and know yourself as the Perfect Expression of The Divine Goddess, perceived flaws and all.
Then do the same with your painting.
It is not skill you lack. Only the realization of who you truly are.
And for Goddess’ sake show the whiny critic to the door permanently. Sounds rather trifling to me anyway, like some gay white guy with nothing better to do except for wishing he was you.
The Goddess with Yellow Aura is the one I like best because it expresses what I see in you, most clearly. (joy, freedom, creating and releasing vital forces to all you touch)
I admire your tenacity, and your painting.
Namaste,
Rama