A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Creativity Never Ends

I was born a creative person. From the very first little sand castles in my sand box to my love of painting in my old age. All through my life I have tried to make my world prettier I didn't always have a lot of money to decorate with, but always found a way to change things inexpensively.. countless furniture rearranging (my husband never knew where his chair would be), fixing meals,,,(even hot dogs) with my special touches, selecting my clothing (sometimes from thrift shops), in  my gardens, planning parties, doing crafts, knitting, and painting pictures....I could go on and on. I can envision beauty in old tools, barns, milk cans, kitchen ware, an old board etc. I guess I have a creative eye. I was encouraged by my parents at an early age...they gave me piano lessons, elocution lessons, and led me to believe that I could do anything. Creative people take chances...they create without fear of failure...they don't mind solitude...I was alone with my parents for 13 yrs. I spent a lot of time by myself and I think that fostered creativity. I wasn't very good in art classes in my school years.We had to buy a pan of watercolor paints every year. I didn't know how to use them...they were always a mess by the end of the year.  When I signed up for an art class I found too  much learning from books wasn't my idea of Art 101. I wanted to learn how to draw and paint. All we ever did was use charcoal and big sheets of newsprint. Later classes found me using the potter's wheel and creating clay projects. I never did have a class that I liked. Then I moved to a little town in Illinois and met an old woman who painted on barn shingles. She painted birds and things in the natural world. I loved her style of painting. She knew that I wanted to learn to paint, so she said that she was too old to teach me, but the local college was giving classes on tole painting. I signed up for what was to become a rest of my life love. I learned tole painting and did that for years. I couldn't wait to get up in the morning to get at my painting. I would first tidy the house and then go to my table and paint. Later on, I had an extra bedroom as my "studio" I started selling my work and did that until I married Joe, 10 years ago. 
I always feel like I am looking for compliments, when I post something that I do creatively. When I put a picture of a painting that I did...I'm not looking for your compliments...I just want to show that this is something that I love doing. I want to encourage all the "Grandma Moses"   out there to try painting. It is the most relaxing thing I do. I can just get lost in my work and forget the world for a little while. Every painting isn't a masterpiece. Some are not for show :) The pictures below are just a couple that I have done this past month. I simply did the water color background and found pretty things to attach with glue. I call it mixed media. I decorate my paintings with doilies, buttons, ribbon, old photos, calendar art...anything that will enhance the picture. They are very simple to do. As I get older, I find that I can't sit as long to do intricate paintings, but this mixed media is just my speed.  




These two pictures hang in my front hallway. I like to change the entrance hallway for the seasons....my winter pictures just came down and these went up. It looks kind of funny right now with our winter coats hanging nearby, but soon the coat rack will be empty of coats and I will hang baskets there. But for now, I have spring pictures and winter coats. I have a Windsor chair sitting under with a pillow with a bluebird embroidered on it. Spring is here halfway in my front hallway.
So, when you look at these....just remember that you might just find that creative bone in your body. It's really easy....take a chance.Go out and buy a watercolor paintbox and a couple of good brushes and give it a try. You'll find that it is better for relaxing than pills. 
Balisha 

8 comments:

Judy said...

You may not want compliments, but you are going to get them---because your creativity is beautiful!!! My sister is like that--she can "see" it--our mother could too. I don't seem to have that gift. I was alone with my parents for the first 13 years of my life. I can remembering my mother sitting me down in a chair, outside, with pencil and paper and saying, "Look at the barn. See the lines? Now draw just what you see." I tried--oh I tried so hard, but it didn't look anything like it should have. She finally gave up, and let me free to roam the woods and the fields and the barns and animals. The only time I have ever felt real creative was in my beautiful gardens. I do seem to have an eye for what look good planted together.

Balisha said...

Hi Judy...I've seen pictures of your house inside...You have an eye for beauty in the soft colors of the furnishing that you chose. Your home is so relaxing and calm and I think it reflects your warmth.
Balisha

Margie's Musings said...

Oh Balisha! How cute! You are so gifted!

Blondie's Journal said...

Both of these pieces are exceptionally beautiful, Balisha, you are quite talented and should share more...you have a gift!

XO,
Jane

Christys Cottage Wildlife Garden said...

Hi Balisha....you are very talented. I really like these pictures....something I would hang in my own home. I enjoy painting every now and then. I get my creativity from my father. He was a really good artist and quite the gardener. Thanks for sharing these with us!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Those pieces are lovely. I'm glad you share your works of art. You benefit from creating it and others benefit from enjoying it. I discovered photography like you discovered tole painting. I've never had training and most camera terms escape me but I take photos of what I want to see on my walls and have learned some tricks along the way. I recently joined the local photography club. I learn from the others. I just can't explain always how I got what I got in terms that those who took the classes know.

marlu said...

I enjoy your creativity! (Thanks for your comnent on mlrambles.)
I used to crochet, knit and quilt.
Recently fingers are a little stiff but I sure enjoy seeing what you do.

debra @ homespun said...

These are just lovely ! Its funny....my little grandson doesn't want to color much, but he always wants to paint, paint, paint. I do about as good a job as he does, ha ha...no talent for drawing here. Yet if you know what you are doing I can see where it would be very relaxing. I am glad you showed yours...especially this mixed media idea !