Mixed Media

I keep reading the first 5 sentences of blogs before I remind myself I’m not supposed to be reading them.

Yes, I’m trying “Reading Deprivation” again. You ask, “But Milena, why? It’s a stupid exercise that made you horribly depressed the last time you tried it…are you a glutton for punishment?” No, I’m not a glutton for punishment, just curious about what is on the “other side” of a week of reading-lessness, and I joined this little web-group that is going through The Artist’s Way together. I figured some hand-holding would do me good.

So – instead of reading I’m working on a new top secret project. Well, it’s not so top secret. I told a friend of mine and my husband, but I don’t want to make a big deal in case anyone finds out what it is and tells me it’s Sooo Stupid, but expect some things to pop up here and there.

I wish I could paint or something. I have so many creative ideas I can visualize in my brain, I just don’t think my hands know how to make it materialize in space. I suppose the first step would be buying materials. My paintings always looked like a 2nd grader did them. My drawings were always a lot better. I used to draw all the time. I was really good at copying too. Proportions were always my biggest problem. I’d end up making a head with a teeny body and a giant arm – and it’s not because I had some Picasso flair, just no technique.

There is a project I’d love to do. I have a vision for it. I just don’t know where to start. Any artists out there familiar with collages in mixed media on canvas?? I need some pointers.

I also really love naïve art. A friend of mine gave me this little painting on a piece of cow hide from Ethiopia. I framed it and it’s up at work. It’s an Ethiopian musician. It’s so simple, but it’s one of my favorite pieces. I like simple art. I like it when it’s not obfuscated by a bunch of distractions. I have two paintings I picked up on a sidewalk in Florence, those famous tuscan evergreen trees? They are these skinny, tall watercolors. I love them. I actually get happy when I look at them.

Just proves some material things buy happiness.