September always holds great promise-and although I’m still exploring and experimenting I’m also working hard on creating new pieces for the autumn art fairs.
It’s at times like this I remind myself I can only paint for myself. I’ll often avoid social media - I reaaally don’t want to be influenced by trends or sidetracked by the work of other people. Click bait (dog videos) and compromise are not my friends. When I work with heart, from the soul, choosing colours that mean something to me, I know I create my best work. It’s my heart on a canvas.
This week is a big studio week, I’m close to being knee deep in pink. Quinacridone red, permanent rose, opera rose, fluorescent pink, process magenta to name a few. Quite honestly, it’s glorious-and the names are fun too.
But why does it matter which one I pick up or put in the mix? After two years of exploring the meanings of colours -and more importantly, what they mean to me- colour selection is really important. (Hello, I’m Gaynor, I’m a colour addict).
Just exploring Opera Rose Pink conjured all these words and so many memories - in no particular order - which I then went on to journal about for my own understanding.
strength 💪🏻
empowerment 🦸🏼♀️
independence 👣
choice👍
mama bear 🐻
power of love 🫶🏻
bravery ❤️🩹
glamour 💃
holiday clothes 😎
lipstick 💄
rebellion 👩🏻🎤
girly dresses 👗
kneecaps 🦵
romance 💋
brave steps 🦶🏻
fun 🤩
friendship 👩🏻🦰👩🦳👩🏻👩🏻🦳
lifting others🤝
dancing 💃
divine feminine 👸
freedom⛓️💥
twirling 🌪️
smiles 😁
laughter 🤭
joy 😆
sisterhood👯♀️
determination ✊🏻
tenacity👊🏻
longevity…👵
Okay, the emoji selection made me laugh more than it should have! 🫣
Tell me, what does delicious, deep, rich rose pink mean to you?
Does it trigger a good memory?
Please never underestimate the heart-swell artists get (I know it’s not just me!) when you fall in love with their work. Talk to them, tell them, add a heart on social media or a thumbs up if you’re shy. It matters. When we’re going down a rabbit hole of analysing colours, textures, contrast or composition having someone metaphorically smile at us and say ‘that’s interesting’ can give a lovely lift.
Have a beautiful week,
with love,
