Finding solace in a brush...

from JoeUser Forums

As some of you may have guessed, I haven't been to happy of late.  Things around here haven't been easy; living together after a year apart has been harder than either my husband or I imagined or expected.

I've been looking for a constructive way to release some of the tension and stress I've been under.  It's been more than meditation can handle, and yoga is out of the question because my back's been pretty unstable.  Reading is fine, and I've been doing a lot of that, and I've been knitting - but that got a bit old because I can do that without really thinking about it.  I needed to find something that absorbed me and kept my hands busy at the same time.

I've always dabbled with tole painting, and decided to pick it up again after I found half a dozen mason jars for $1.50 at the thrift store.  I'm painting saltbox scenes on them...it's a form of American Folk art, also known as primitive art.  Basically it hails from the years when people didn't have any money with which to decorate their homes, so they had to make do with what they had.  Quite often you'll see pieces of old barn board painted with a country scene, and sometimes sack-cloth material hand stitched by someone into a dolly or embroidered with a design.  The designs are simple, folk-y (obviously) but have a certain 'je ne sais quoi' to them...I find them very appealing.

And theraputic.  My stress levels are dropping, and I'm happier all around.  I painted a welcome sign for my mother, I'm in the process of making one for my MIL, and I'm halfway through a Mason jar (I'm going to fill it with potpourri when it's done and probably give that way as well).  There's an Artisan show going on next month at the community center on base, and I have been advised that I should enter a piece.  I don't think I will....that would make it not-so-much-fun for me, there'd be that competitive edge to it and I think it would detract from the solace I'm finding in it.

I ordered some oil paints and a canvas today. I think I'm going to try my hand with that medium next, and freehand/brush how I'm feeling rather than try to make a painting that resembles something.

I like this.....I really like this.

art
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Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
" needed to find something that absorbed me and kept my hands busy at the same time."

tried crosstitch? It's great except it takes so.....long. I like painting glass too. (and restoring cars, and hockey, and running, and cooking, and gardening.................)
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

tried crosstitch? It's great except it takes so.....long

Yeah, I've crossstitched, and I embroider too.  I guess I just needed to be more artistically challenged...instead of following a pattern, I needed to do my own thing and freehand designs.

I finished my MIL's sign this afternoon...I'm thinking about crackle glazing them once I have the top coat on.

Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Dharma... this is so great,.. pictures..take pictures!!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
It has been far too long since I last found solace in art. I have dozens of pictures I painted stored in boxes back at my parent's house. I may need to take it up again. Thanks for the inspiration. Thrilled to hear it is helping you. It is marvelous the way we can find inspiration around us.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ha! I tried crossstitch once. That does not go with me. I need something that really shows after 10 minutes... like making those good old fashioned hook rugs.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

I need something that really shows after 10 minutes

Me too.....I need to have something to show for my efforts.

I loved latch-hooking.  I also like knitting, but I've done so much of that lately I need a break from it. 

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
This sounds wonderful, dharma! Those types of activities always relax me, too . . . and when it's all said and done, you have something beautiful, unique, and creative to show for the time and effort you've expended. Neat.