A Year of Making Art: Day 87

July 15, 2007  Day 87

I was paralyzed for most of yesterday afternoon and evening.  I tried to read a book, Later at the Bar by Rebecca Barry, but could not get into the stories.  Judging from the reviews I had read, I thought this would be a fun read, but all I felt during the process was more irritated that I'd spent money on it.  Don't judge this book by my review, however, as I doubt there was anything that would have pleased me yesterday.

This morning I started to have an inkling about what was going on.  I am worried about everything because a) I take myself too seriously, and b) I demand perfection.  I think it's time to reread the Zanders' book The Art of Possibility and learn its valuable lessons again.

My drawing this morning is a bit too colorful, perhaps, but I wanted to make something light and free and fun.  Not easy to do when you're down on yourself.

  Drawing #88  14" x 11"

I started listening to Don McLean's cd, American Pie, which was a little bit of a disappointment.  I like it, but not enough to listen to over and over.  Part of the reason I bought it was for the song Starry Starry Night about Vincent Van Gogh, but now I remember that the haunting version I had loved years ago was sung by a woman.  Anyone know who that was?

After I finished drawing, I tackled the problem canvas again.  I thought I would make some big changes in it, give myself a fresh take, but I seemed to compulsively rework what had already been started.  It was as if the image had a life of its own that refused to die.  And so, at the end of this painting session, here is where it's at:

  Canvas 12  40" x 40"

(Note:  There is a gap between the dates I'm writing and posting because I had to give myself time to get ahead in case we travel and I'm not able to post.)

Comments

[Lesly]

Dear Lynne ... I have been neglecting my visits around my artist friends and its been a while since I was here. And I am so sorry to find you in the doldrums ....

I can so relate to what you are saying ... I am a very up and down person too (although I have not had a diagnosis except for severe depression a couple of times). I wonder if its trying to express ourselves in art that makes us miserable or being miserable that stops us finding our way?

Whichever it is your talents as an artist cannot be disputed ... you just have to keep on until eventually you will find your way in a new expression. I believe that for myself and I believe it for you too.

Know this - you have friends out here in the ether who are interested and care. xx

[Kent]

Hi Lynn,
I like drawing #88. I keep feeling that I want you to take your drawings off the edge of the page though. I understand it makes framing easier if you stay within the boundaries. I guess I like many of your paintings because they seem boundless.
Hope you are felling better soon...
Kent

[Lynne Taetzsch]

Lesly and Kent,

Thank you so much for writing. I am actually feeling fine today (7/30/07). These moods come and go, and I guess that's why I have to keep working despite them, and not give in to despair. Leslie, I feel for you having had to endure depression, too.

Kent, I know what you mean about going to those edges, which I do in my paintings, over the edge and continuing on to paint the sides. I might take you up on this challenge one of these days.

Lynne