"What do YOU see?"

Up until I became an artist I had a basic definition of what it meant to "see". Measured numerically when getting an eye exam, my ability to describe what was in front of me, observing colours, noticing textures...you get the idea. In fact I have always been a very observant person, as described by others, seeing nuances and details, glimpsing what many others overlook. Perhaps you can relate, am I also characterizing you?

Interestingly I have come to realize, that my so called keen scrutinization, has had borders; walls, limits put around it; I only have myself to blame for this phenomena, no one else put them there! In fact now I realize I see more when I look at less! What? Have I lost you; or are you intrigued?

From the beginning of my art career I have been passionate about impressionism. Each time I completed a course designed to hone my interest and style, this fact remained. At the start of every year I assemble a mood and theme board which helps me visualize the intention I have for that year. Each time these boards are littered with quotes and images that highlight my love of impressionism. I have read countless books on the subject, studied the Masters, watched numerous YouTube videos, all designed to get me closer to my vision of painting loosely, lively and semi-realistically.

As artists we often talk about being "tight" or getting caught up in the details, and although this is true, I have struggled with both of these issues which have hindered my results, that is not what has been the greatest hurdle to my success, (which can only be defined by me) rather it is related to my sense of sight.

Over the last year and a half I feel as though I have found my "secret sauce". Its' a collection of things that have collided to make up the whole; a merging of concepts, teachings, failures and pure unadulterated practice that has brought me to a place where I believe that I am creating the art I have desired. One of the most significant contributors to this evolution is the freedom I now afford my inner creative (inner child) to take my paintings where she wants them to go. Rather than getting confused or disappointed when my image doesn't resemble the scene or object I am looking at, I get excited by what is emerging, for I now realize that this deviation is my authenticity expressing itself using colour, shape and textures outside of what is being observed.

My scope of perception is more holistic as I acknowledge that a colour, for example observed as red petals on a Zinnia, includes more than a visual hue observed under natural light. What I "see" is how that Red Zinnia makes me feel. The associated feelings are part of what I am looking at. Now when I see something I am more fully aware of how all my senses are delivering information to my brain and those added elements are paramount to me seeing the world as an Impressionist.

I have now come to understand that seeing includes what IS there, what is NOT there and what I PERCEIVE to be there. The imagination truly is a magical world full of unlimited potential and adventure, to wonder is to discover. To question is to learn. Failing is success and seeing truly IS believing.

How do you see? Will your ability to observe change after reading this? I hope so.

Until next time,

Char

xo