I find that nothing improves my mood more than taking a break and doing something with my hands. Have you tried that? When you’re really stressed or feel like you could hit someone in the face with a chair, step back and do something creative instead.
Last week, the election results back home did it for me. I won’t go into the details of the political landscape in the Philippines here, as I don’t want anything ugly on my blog. Suffice it to say that I woke up learning about who won and immediately felt like wringing someone’s neck. So I did the next best thing. I painted.
Here is painting number one:
You might be surprised at the lack of any anger or violent imagery on it. I didn’t even use strong colors. Well, that’s not how I create. Instead, I channel my energies and turn it into something I like, something that makes me happy. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I paint to please myself, no one else. And if earlier efforts don’t make me happy, I paint over it (some of my canvasses have 3-4 layers of experiments on it. haha).
I still wasn’t feeling very peaceful and zen-like after the first painting, so I made a second one.
Now this one, I really like! I had no plan when I started working on this one, I just knew that I wanted a field of flowers so I kept laying one wash after another and then started dabbing at the canvass. I used all of my favorite cheerful colors on it, and for a final touch, added rich gold.
Here’s how the paintings look on my living room wall:
One day, I shall have them framed properly. For now, the gallery style framing should do.
Did I work out my anger? Yes, I did! =)
*forgive the lousy pictures,I gave my DSLR to my dad last year and have been taking pictures with only my iPhone since then.
that second painting would look so beautiful in my dining area, on top of the fireplace, and can be seen from the french window when one is standing from the outside.. <3
You are welcome to come and get it, Chelo. =)
I can so relate, though I don’t paint! hihi. Good job, Pat. Nice, dainty work as always. 🙂
But you do crafts, Jane, and that’s the same thing! =)