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Friday, April 8, 2011

Painting with Soul

I'm excited to say, Dear Ones, that I've completed my first course at 21 Secrets!

I decided that I would take Tamara Laporte's (from Willowing) Collage, Paint and Soul class.  She has such a loose and effortless style that combines quotes, words and whimsy...along with a healthy dose of introspection...something I've felt really drawn to lately...

She told us to find connection with this piece by writing directly on the paper, any thoughts, issues or affirmations important at the time...  In the past, I may have skipped this step entirely, especially since it will be covered up anyways...but I wanted to take the time to do things "right".  I needed to do this, to not only get the most from this course, but to charge this piece with a bit more emotion than my usual creations.
(Don't worry, I don't expect you to read it :D  I just wanted to prove that I did it...haha!)
We were then told to incorporate an animal that held some special meaning pertaining to our journaling.  Because my words spoke of being genuine, questioning the legacy I'm leaving behind for my daughter and filling myself up with light in all aspects of living, I chose the Crow.
The Crow/Raven wisdom includes:
~Rebirth without Fear
~Comfort with Self
~Eloquence
~Ability to find Light in the Darkness....among other wonderful things.  Without getting too mystical on ya', I'll just say that Crows are clever and beautiful birds...not a bad choice when wanting to emphasize positive changes :)

Tam's art includes quotes, handwritten organically around the page to pull the whole theme together and give greater depth and strength to the piece.  This is also new for me...I almost chose not to write on it, I liked it so much just as it was...but, deciding at the beginning that I was going to stay true to the instruction...I went for it!

...I'm really happy with it!  Tam's way of working flows so naturally...I still over-thought and over-complicated what should have been simpler...but it is something I will definately try again! 

BTW, she is on 11x14 inch watercolor paper.

I'm finally able to join the festivities at Paint Party Fridays, for once ( I rarely post on Fridays)...so please pop on over there to see how others are putting paint to good use! 

Have I told you lately how much I appreciate you guys?  I hope that you are all giving me that embarrassed little shoulder shrug that kids give parents when asked if they know how much they are loved :) ...and just in case there are a few of you out there who are sure I couldn't be talking to them...I am

Really and for truly,
Cam

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome to PPF. I heard about 21 secrets from Aimee over at Artsyville as she is one of the tutors this year. I don't know that much about it though but this sounds like a really interesting concept. I love how you've explained the steps to us and your finished peace is wonderful - all the more so because of the meaning behind it.

Rosie Kaplan said...

IT sounds very interesting and you have created a very interesting piece to match!

Diane said...

Oh I was tempting you with Jane's class, and now your tempting me. I keep seeing all of these wonderful reviews and art pieces on people's blog from the 21 secrets workshop--I just wish I had more time. This is such a wonderful piece!

Yvonne said...

It must be a wonderful class. Thanks for telling us about it and also how you created yours. It is wonderful. I love combining words, or quotes to paintings. Yours is lovely. Glad you are in PPF with us. I have had so much fun and found so many wonderful art blogs. Happy PPF.

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

this is gorgeous! And I love the proccess you went through to finish it. I must say I skipped a couple of steps. :)

SHERI COOK said...

Fantastic! I love what you have shared today. The writing along with the images is great. I have to try this style someday! Thank you for sharing and happy PPF!

Hybrid J said...

You wow us again with you wonderful mixed media artwork, dear friend! Can see you're in your element with Tam's "21 Secret".

I like this piece a lot as it carries depth and emotion. Well Done!

Tam is a very generous teacher and she is also a very soulful person.

Your photo of the Willowing badge is soooo cute! :)

Oh, how I love my new nickname - Pen Wielding Pixie Punk Princess. YAY!!!! You rock!

Marlene said...

This is a beautiful painting. I love everything about it. The crow is done exceptionally well, it is really hard to paint a black bird and give it character but you did it beautifully.

Carmen said...

I love crows! No I mean I REALLY fffffriggin' love crows and I never knew that amazing Crow/Raven wisdom - where can I read up on that? I don't need to tell you how much I adore this do I? Seriously? OK, it's AMAZING. GORGEOUS, one of my favourite things of yours.

I'm pig sick at how gorgeous your handwriting is though.

Abela said...

It seems a novel way of making art, but it really is what they always have the great painters, only he did not write on the canvas ... I love what you've created. Greetings

Louise said...

Wonderful Cameron. Love your crow and I'm so glad you followed instructions 'to the letter'. That's what I've told myself to do with the course too - gotta try new things to learn and expand our talents! Tam's classes are always brilliant.

Pam Tucker said...

Oh this is awesome! Beautiful work on the girl! I haven't made it to Tam's class yet. I am loving 21 Secrets, though. You are giving me so much to look forward to. GREAT job on this! :)

Unknown said...

I am SO very glad that you made it here, because I LOVE your work! All the layers of detail and color and words- are sublime! I'm off to browse your blog...
Happy PPF!
Stephanie

GlorV1 said...

Excellent! I love your crow. You've really done a great job. It looks like she is giving the feather back to the bird.:) Happy PPF.

Crystal said...

This is just awesome! :-)

JessiVille said...

Cam, This piece is so beautiful in every way. I love the crow, the girl and the quotes. So wonderfully portrayed! I love that you made this a complete work of art according to Tam - putting your soul into it!

Misty said...

Beautiful.

Just beautiful.

A truly special piece of art that has touched me. :)

Tammie Lee said...

Cameron,
This is wonderful and beautiful and mystical too. I love looking at it. I just started mine last night for Tam's secret.... class

Kharlie Bug said...

That sounds like a great class. Your piece is amazing. I'm loving the black bird.

EVA said...

So great you could make it to the party, Cameron!

This is fabulous! I love it!! Beautiful art, great quote = wonderful!!

If Friday's are hard to post, you can always write it in advance and schedule it to post by itself.... then just drop by and enter it into Mr Linky on the Friday. I know some people do that.

Netty said...

Not heard of this class of Tam's, but loved her Art Journal class and this looks totally fabulous. Such a brilliant crow and love the whole piece. Thank you for sharing. Have a great weekend, Annette x

Christine said...

wow these would look good hanging on a wall together, with a common theme

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, this is gorgeous, Cam!!! I love EVERYTHING you create!!
XO

Kristin Dudish said...

Oh how I hope people are clicking on it to see it larger - it is so beautiful... Such a wonderful quote too!

xo
Kristin

I think your handwriting is so lovely - it could be a work of art all on it's own!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! It doesn't look like you need any journaling classes to me, but I'm glad you are enjoying them.

WrightStuff said...

Love the story you tell here in words and pictures. Great piece.

Deanna said...

You do a great job. I love the color palette you've chosen and your bird looks fantastic. I think I would be afraid to write on a painting as well. What if I loved the painting then hated how I wrote the words. lol.

Anne Butera said...

Wow! You did a wonderful job. This is really lovely. Definitely like the text and your colors and... really, everything!

C said...

Beautiful :) i always find that the written fellings although covered up seems to give it more depth of feelings hmm if that makes sence !! wonderful x x

Carrie Martinez said...

Yay, Cameron! So nice to see you here :) Your painting is absolutely gorgeous...Her sparkly eyes and the humble way the raven returns her gaze...her hand holding the feather (flight and freedom) with the heart (love and loyalty)...The way the bird chooses to spend this moment with her while the other birds are taking off in flight.....just lovely! You are amazing :)

Theresa said...

Love your artwork . It turned out just beautiful. I love writing and painting meshing them together.
Happy PPF! Theresa

Raven Moon Magic said...

wonderful cameron, just wonderful, I so love how you have done everything and have kept to your style too, its magical being so true to yourself when following the guidelines of others. I hope your going to sell prints of this one because I want one for Indi's room, its such an important message.

xxx
sheree

Theresa MacNaughton said...

This is amazing, Cameron!!! You did such a lovely job. Truly a magical piece!!! Enjoy the weekend, dear friend! Theresa :)

angelself said...

Its just awesome, Cam. Thanks for sharing =) Kathryn

Annabelle said...

Gorgeous work , luving the marriage of words and art....beautifully done.

Annabelle ~^..^~

Victoria said...

Yay Cameron..fabulous ..enchanting and beautiful..gorgeous work!
Victoria~

Lynn Stevens said...

Sounds like a great class, really puts meaning into your art, love your creation!
Lynn

Marfi-topia said...

how amazing!
you are incredible!

K. said...

Wow, this piece turned out so beautifully! Sounds like an excellent course - hope you keep it up experimenting with this style:)
~Kerry

Victoria Sayer said...

Hi Cameron! Thanks for dropping by a little while ago, and leaving a lovely comment. Yes, yes I LOVE comments!!
I also LOVE what you have done here! The colours are BEAUTIFUL! And...a crow? well I never! He is awesome! I love your artistic style. Keep up the great work! I am looking forward to seeing what else you come up with.

pinkglitterfae said...

Cameron, I can't tell you how much I love this piece! It is just stunning! Tam knows how to bring out the best in people. Good for you for sticking with it, I know what it's like to want to skip some instructions because it is not 'you'.
I wish I'd signed up for this workshop but I have too much going on right now. If it was ongoing, I'd consider it, but I think this class has an end date.
xoxo
betty

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