A few people said they would appreciate seeing more of my art here. I don't wish to share so much that I become a nuisance -- after all, this site is about cancer, not painting -- but here is today's effort. I call it "Jessie's Woodland Walk III". 12" by 9". Mixed media (watercolour, acrylic ink, oil pastel, gouache).
I love the reference photograph on which this is based. With its path leading into bright and calming woodlands, I can see me painting from it time and time again. I am, after all, hoping for many walks into bright and calming woodlands in my own future.
I am currently being treated for stage IV prostate cancer, and have been since 2004. This painting tells me several things: first, stop to admire the scenery, whether it is the trees, flowers or other wildlife; second, the future remains bright -- not quite 'this too will pass' (that is not possible) but maybe 'there are still good things to enjoy'.
So, I am doing all I can to develop a style -- based on a group of techniques, really -- that says "This is me". It is a wonderful journey.
I really enjoyed seeing the art by other members of HU. So I am not the only one expressing my situation this way! There is a lot of lovely work. I like the way the pictures reach deep into our beings to express how we are coming to terms with having PCa. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have an exhibition -- even one online -- of our collective work? But I am afraid it will not be me organising it. I have too little energy. Thank you for sharing.
Written by
BrentW
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Brent, I absolutely LOVE this paining. In particular I love the freedom of the watercolor washes. Definitely conveys a mood and perspective.
One of the great things about creating art is that it requires you to consciously attend to what you are looking at (or hearing, feeling, etc.). That concious attention provides a great way of being present.
As for the gallery idea I like it! Maybe a pinned page would suffice. I used to work at a company that used their entry as a rotating gallery for employee art. Really was amazing to see what your co-workers produced.
I paint a little bit, but I mainly draw. I am colorblind, so when I do paint I tend to stick with more monochromatic subjects. Here's a painting I did a few years ago of Canyon de Chelly (located in the Navajo Nation). I sketched the hard details in using a Sharpie pen and then used washes of varying intensities to complete the sketch.
I visited there in (I think) about 2008. I was amazed by it -- by the enormity of the cliff about, the starkness of the vegetation around it. I had no idea that any Amerindians had produced such a place (outside of Mexico and Peru, that is), and was left speechless. I was told how the move into such places was actually detrimental, the change to living in permanent settlements being coupled with a change to a much more restricted beans-corn-squash diet.
My wife took a few photographs but did nothing with them, telling myself that it was not my culture and so not mine to paint (I hope that makes sense). But this really captures the sense of awe I felt while there.
IMHO if you go somewhere and experience another culture and find beauty, then you are perfectly free to paint the beauty and express the experience as it is your own experience in the context of another culture that you are honoring, not appropriating.
I took up water colors to help me loosen up my art. After years with pencil, charcoal and ink my art got smaller and was tending to be overworked. I was never able to get the beautiful flow with watercolors like Brent did above, and my colorblindness led to some "interesting" color choices.
Wish I still dabbled. I should for sure. When we recently moved I found a box with a bunch of my (art?) from when I was in my 20's. Its more like glory days stuff lol. My avatar of Ian Anderson is one of them.
I definately know what you mean by your art getting small. I always did a lot of single pen or pencil stuff with details in it.
I love it. Great tribute to the "deranged flamingo". You should definitely should keep drawing. Creating is a good way to be present and to avoid living in the past
There are some on here that want it to be a pure cancer board, personally I see it as a conversation among a group affiliated by cancer.
To keep everyone happy and engaged our concession is to start the heading with QOL when it is more personal expression of what we are doing to deal with our mostly cancer driven lives, please continue to post your pics, you might even inspire other brothers to pick up a brush.
My Granddaughter and I often do painting s together
Love it Scout. I'm heading down to see my youngest grandaughter and grandson this weekend. Instead of playdoh, we may have to try some paining. Great idea
That is amazing artwork. Not a nuisance at all. I myself though, am "part of the problem". j-o-h-n is the problem. Randy (Dockam) always has great photos. Many others also share. I, alas, am selfish.
I read your bio. We’re the same age. You were diagnosed in 2004, I was diagnosed in 2005. We’re both long haulers. Let’s beat this bitch! Cool artwork. I like that you mix different mediums together.
beautiful landscape , I have always a bit envious of those that have the artistic gene , I can’t for the life of me get the picture in my mind to be any those on paper or canvas. Thanks for sharing your talent. My cat paints better than I.
The paintings shown here are fabulous. I paint, with oils. I don't paint much but I do try to express things feel good about, things I feel are worth presenting, a lot like Jessie in the woods. In this case I was in Emeryville, noticing the alignment of Alcatraz Island in the SF Bay, with the Golden Gate Bridge. I exaggerated the bridge and imagined it at sunset.I guess you could say that it glorifies the situation.
Art... A window to ones soul... Why would you think in some way it would be annoying to share? I find it interesting, refreshing and completely awesome for anyone to share their work(s).
As for the relevance to "Cancer" and the site being an appropriate place to share this, I say it couldn't be any MORE appropriate! We share so much of ourselves already when we post, we open ourselves up, reveal our thoughts, concerns, opinion, views, assumptions and more... Why not art?
Art can be a release of what we are feeling or seeing in our lives. Love the expression shown in these pieces. I say keep it up and for me it is definitely part of QoL.
it’s appreciated so much more than you might know but I’m one telling you it touches my heart and your words open my mind. there is some sadness but there is also hope. thank you for sharing beauty, please do so for as long as you can.
talk about bad luck….Dx at age 44. Compliment your attitude and appreciate your art….agree with not posting “real” often or people might tire of it….I’m a monthly kind of guy😁
Painting? Well in my younger days I used to trace women............with chocolate chip ice cream (two scoops). And would you believe it, I caught Monte1111 licking many of the canvases.
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