There is no truer truth than “growing old is not for sissies” and I am a sissy. However I have not been given the sissy’s way out which I guess is either death or complete dementia and so, with a solid “ugh,” over the weekend I accepted a new set of numbers. This set of numbers, my friend tells me, when added together is 10 or 1 which in numerology means a new beginning. Double ugh. I’m too old for new beginnings. Can’t all my old beginnings join together for a beautiful ending? However, over the long weekend I found myself drawn to a blank canvas sitting in the hall.
For most of my life I’ve balanced my spare time equally between art and writing. And then ten years ago I decided to focus primarily on the writing. I had some nutty idea that I could write a best seller! HA!! And so for the last decade I have only gotten down to my studio when the weather was too nice to stay inside. Once there I would throw some paint on a canvas and make a mess. Really a mess. I won’t show you some of my messes because I’m too embarrassed (given the amount of time I spent in art school).
I’ve always been partial to this photo my father took when I was probably four years old. He had a real eye. But to do it justice I decided to discipline myself. Yes, discipline. Believe it or not, most artists – even those far out artists – have to discipline themselves.
First I drew the image on graph paper and outlined the form. It needs a few adjustments but those I hope can be made during the painting process. Then I transferred the rough shape onto the canvas.
Whoops – the baby is too big. My brother was a chunkster but not that chunky. But I think it’s close enough for a start. Now to the hard part for me: the pallet. I am not good with colors and so I decided to open the original image in Photoshop and do my experimenting there.
First I decided to cut the figures from the picture and place them against different backgrounds.
I made eight “layers” to experiment with. This is all eight layers combined. I kind of like it. What do you think? Sigh, I’ll probably get so involved in Photoshop antics that I’ll never get to the actual painting. Oh Lord, stuck in new beginnings again.
Saying nothing in particular 
I love what you’re doing, Jan!
Thanks Mary! I haven’t painted in quite a while so I’m a little afraid of those first strokes!
A beautiful photo Jan and it’s so clever, what you’re doing 💜
Thanks the Photoshop thing is a little over my head. It may have been a bad idea!
No I think you are getting there
Hi Jan,
New beginnings … That always drove me. I couldn’t stop. The waves in the ocean, the fall of leaves, the wind, etc. Those were markers of how I was onto something new. I wish you luck. No doubt, you can master Photoshop if you so desire. With each day and each new beginning we are one step closer to home. Like your beautiful face in the photo of your father. You will come to a part in Bardo where the little baby is returned to the sea and that is a new beginning. They call it Mateo’s Freedom. Freedom. I guess so, but it is hard to escape the mind and what we think we know. I had a dream about Peter a few nights ago. I told his brother about it. We were on the moon, lying beside a cliff overlooking a valley and Peter was talking about some of the stars in the sky. He wanted to visit them so badly and then I woke up and it was dawn and the light was coming across my bed and thus heralding a new beginning. Love. Duke
What a beautiful comment. Thanks Duke. My father always downplayed his artistic side – typical for a man from Montana but I think he had a gift for composition. I love the dark and light elements of this picture – the folds in the blanket that look like mountains – the light coming from above hitting part of the children’s faces. I hope Peter gets to visit those stars and comes back to tell you about them. Love Jan
I’m always so impressed by people who can draw and paint. I’m a much better audience than artist, but I guess we are needed too! Good luck with your project, I hope it brings you joy.
Thanks! I’m gonna need it – I’m really rusty!
If you’re learning something along the way, even if that lesson is to never do this again, then I’d suggest you’re doing new beginnings the right way.
Thanks Ally. Each painting requires a ton of trial and error, that’s for sure. Sometimes I think I should have my head examined!
Hi Jan, how wonderful that you studied art. I never took art in high school because of the cost of the inputs required to take art. I took accountancy instead. I am also drawing for the first time in my life and I am enjoying it very much. I like your picture, you have done a good job of the outline.
Yes, paint supplies can add up. I love your fondant creations – you definitely have a gift!
Thank you, Jan.
Art is art, no matter the type you chose.
Just do it and enjoy it!
Make art not war!
(I was going to write the great Canadian novel. I wound up writing a Canadian novel. Great!)
Did you? I’d love to hear about it – is there a description somewhere on your website that I missed.?
I have actually written a few books. Unfortunately, I’m not interested in promoting them, or marketing in general. I like to create. I need a business partner. Always have.
I have the first book I wrote available for free download on my street art blog. It is in the Top Menu under its title “Nine Black Lives”.
If you do read it, let me know what you think!
Sure – I’ll take a look. I don’t know of a single author who enjoys marketing. But – even if you’re signed with a big name publisher, they expect authors to promote themselves.