Comments on: Artistic Growth – From “Huh” to “Wow”

By: Päivi

Päivi — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 10:29:59 +0000

In reply to Karen Schweitzer. Thanks for bringing up mandalas and their approach, Karen!

By: Päivi

Päivi — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 10:29:03 +0000

In reply to Jan Illingsworth. Thanks for sharing, Jan! I agree, the passion for the process is more important than the passion for the outcome.

By: Karen Schweitzer

Karen Schweitzer — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 10:53:25 +0000

In reply to Jan Illingsworth.

Jan, I agree with you about the process of art! Art making is part of my spiritual practice. Have painted Icons in the past and since 2019 I’ve created a mandala a Day. and have a collection that I’m considering burning. I’ve witnessed the creation of Tibetan Sand Mandalas and the power of letting go. and that’s how I approach most of my work.
And admittedly, I still like validation that my art is something other’s appreciate!

* The destruction of the mandala serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life. The coloured sand is swept up into an urn and dispersed into flowing water – a way of extending the healing powers to the whole world. It is seen as a gift to the mother earth to re-energise the environment and universe

By: Jan Illingsworth

Jan Illingsworth — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 05:52:39 +0000

I think, for me as an artist, the process is more important than the end result. My primary reason for creating is that the experience of creating is very exciting, challenging and satisfying. Sometimes I dont get the “wow” experience until years later when I stumble across something I have done in the past. I like trying new things, playing, and discovering different aspects of myself. I am learning to trust, when I get that sick, uncomfortable feeling in my gut, that it will resolve. I enjoy the feeling of the new light, new way to resolve whatever the “problem” is. I am fascinated hearing about your process and continue to learn so much from you Päivi.

By: Päivi

Päivi — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:55:58 +0000

In reply to Karen Schweitzer. Thank you for your comments. The posts don't always show at once, because the system leaves some for me to decide if they are spam or not. This time, there were many comments that definitely weren't spam!

By: Päivi

Päivi — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:53:16 +0000

In reply to Heather T.. Thank you, Heather!! I love painting with watercolors because they are so translucent. But I realized that I can also paint like that in oils, and get all the good stuff that oils also have. Like being able to bring white back, and use my fingers too.

By: Päivi

Päivi — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:51:06 +0000

In reply to Marilyn Nicholson. Thank you so much, Marilyn! Expressing movement and speed is very important to me. I feel that change is one of the core things in life, and I want my paintings to express that with movement.

By: Päivi

Päivi — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:49:30 +0000

In reply to Yvonne. Thanks so much, Yvonne! You know, when I started blogging over 10 years ago, I thought I should not talk about Finland at all. And then when I started mentioning it, I was surprised how many have some relation to our country. It's great!

By: Päivi

Päivi — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:47:14 +0000

In reply to Karen Schweitzer. Thank you for sharing, Karen! You decribed the process so well - how wows and huhs take turns when creating. Your comment is a wonderful addition to the post. It's so nice to hear that you have been enjoying Floral Freedom!

By: Päivi

Päivi — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:44:48 +0000

In reply to Phyllis Thomason.

That’s terrible! I can’t think of any other reason than jealousy – jealousy of your work and your satisfied feeling. You have the right to be happy, and I hope you are!!

By: Karen Schweitzer

Karen Schweitzer — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 11:40:03 +0000

This may be a repeat message as i did post yesterday however it doesn’t seem to be showing up….
Great appreciation for the passion and playfulness you bring to your teaching. The huh/wow top ice helped me to realize how reactive i am to comments or lack of comments on my work. There is certainly a part of me that gets so excited when i like a painting i did, the initial Wow….i did that….most often turns into a huh? That’s when i have to put it away for a rest. My tendency is to go back in aNd work it rather to recapture a wow rather than let it rest and i often create more hugs than not.
You have helped me to slow down and practice patience….which renews the playful aspects.
I am so grateful to you and to this group!

By: Heather T.

Heather T. — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 04:41:30 +0000

Päivi, I love that work. It feels like brushy tickles, and the depth of the undergrowth that just gets more amazing the further in you look. The colors and translucency are just beautiful! And it is very you, as well. I also see a knife prying apart the darkness to let light and joy in. Thanks for another thoughtful and thought-producing post/video!