February 25, 2010

LET YOUR ART GUIDE YOU ~ WEEK 3


Week 3


Abstract art
uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.
~ Wikipedia.


I did something revolutionary this week. I let go. I let go. I let go!!!! I didn't think about what I was going to paint or plan it out. I didn't think about colors that would work nicely together. I just created.
I took a 30X24, white canvas, void of any color or direction and made it speak. I love creating my pieces. Seeing the finished result and remembering the blank canvas staring back at me before I began giving it life, is always rewarding. This time was different. I physically felt something. I felt a rush of adrenaline, a thumping in my heart not normally there and honestly, a feeling I have not yet experienced whilst painting.

I have to say, in the beginning I was afraid. Afraid that without any forethought and plan, it would all end dismally and I would go back to the self loathing and skepticism about my abilities, but I tucked my negative feelings away and went for it.
Each paint stroke evoked another idea and more and more complex ideas of what this painting was supposed to mean. In the end I may be the only one who "gets it" but I think I triumphed over my fears and came out as the victor.

Art is subject to one's own interpretation and some of you may think I have lost my ever loving mind this week, while others may think that I have created something visually interesting and beautiful in it's own way. Whichever direction you go...I enjoyed the feeling of creating MY ART this week.

It is called "Circle of Life" and there is plenty of symbolism in this painting for me. Here are some of the words that come to my mind in describing or trying to explain it:

Eternal, colorful, life, death, cells, birth, never ending. The colors going from the bottom to the top of the painting are representative of earth (which is of course round). From the molten color of lava to the browns and blacks of rock and earth, to the color of green for the vegetation & plants, to the blue of the sky. I could go on and on, but find meaning for yourself.

It may look like chaos but as I got going it all meant something to me, and that is what ART is right? It's purpose is to appeal and connect with human emotion. Good or bad, I hope I did that this week.


















I will say this again...thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and your participation in this project. What a great blessing it is becoming to me and I hope for you as well.

xo Emily xo

Here is the button. Even if you are not participating. I'd love your support!

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20 comments:

Textile and Stitch said...

I really love your painting, your use of color and texture is gorgeous and everything about it so perfectly imprefect, loose and flowing. Your state of mind really shows through in the work :)

Tara... said...

this is gorgeous! I love the colours you used :)

Mme. Kara said...

Ben and I really enjoyed this piece and the symbolism involved. You're so talented, Emily!

Ginger said...

It is great!! No matter what you do everything turns out to be great!!! I think you could spit on it and it would still be a work of art.

The Haley Family said...

I just LOVE that! It is so amazing and really "speaks" to me. The colors, the shapes and combinations of textures! You are so talented!

oh...if you can...delete my 1st "link"...the URL is wrong.

Julie said...

Oh Emily...this is sooo beautiful! All of the imagery and colors and texture are fantastic! It's good to let go sometimes! : )

Ashley said...

I love, love, LOVE those colors!! Great job!

Deedra said...

I can't begin to express how much I love this! Abstract is so hard! And you made it look so simple! I love it, Em! So so much!!!

Emily Anne Leyland said...

I am overwhelmed with all of your kind comments. It means soooo much to me!!!

Darci said...

You are AH-MAZING! I don't know how you do it!

Alex said...

I'm with everyone else, it is outstanding! I love all the colors and textures!

Candace said...

Wow!! you are amazing Emily! Truly so talented!! Are you selling that??

Heather said...

Oh wow! this is so amazing! I've never been able to do abstract....the texture and color of this is just amazing.

Tim said...

Emily my dear, there is a fine line between insane and genius. I will let you decide which side of that line you are standing on!

andrea creates said...

Very nice- I love to just let go and let the materials tell us what we're going to do with them.
Sorry I missed this week-our whole family has been struggling with stomach flu.

Anonymous said...

My jaw dropped, my gumball fell into the desk. A M A Z I N G!
Im so sad I missed this, Ive been crazy busy and so mad that I can't make anything. Not to mention the crafty space is a hell of a mess right now :( Maybe next week :'(

Kelly Marshall said...

I truly love this painting... I keep coming back to this page to check it out! = ) I'm so drawn to the circles - it is just amazing! Are you selling this?

Lisa B. said...

Speechless!

I believe you're on the side of genius...yes...certain.

Lisa

Emily Anne Leyland said...

I just need to say how extremely good I am feeling right now. Thank you thank you thank you for the love!!

Candace and Kelly- Yes I am am selling the painting. If you would like to email me leylands@gmail.com and we can talk ;-)
It is even better in person hehe

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