Thursday, June 6, 2013

Calm Emma

Calm Emma
6 x 6"
oil on board

Rarely do I paint entirely from memory- usually I work from one of my photos or within the environment itself. I did two paintings yesterday, both from memory, sitting in my backyard enjoying the sounds and gentle breeze. I worked on capturing an emotion; in this case a feeling of calm, peace and tranquility with an element of levity or hope. This was how I often felt at the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus sitting on the dock or in an Adirondack chair at the beach looking across to Fairy Island. It is a place where I simply felt good and like my truest self. 

It is not always easy to get to my truest self in the city with schedules and activities and work pulling in all directions. Maybe I just need to look around and I will find a replacement for this magical place, but I'm not convinced. And I don't think I am ready to move on... and yet I am a bit lonely for my truest self. I find myself in a smidge of a conundrum!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the painting Calm Emma, it is beautiful. Your last comments at the bottom of the write up for this painting, have me wondering what you are ready to move on from and why are you missing yourself? :)...You have a wonderful talent..:)

Nicki said...

Hi and thank you for your kind words.

I think I am at a stage in my art and life where I am not sure what the next thing is. Right now I am in no-man's land so-to-speak. In the past when I have gone to the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus, it was always something to look forward to and I knew that I could spend morning to night working on art for a seven days straight. It was a holiday/retreat that rejuvenated me for the entire next year. It was a week where my only responsibility was me and with the place closed, I am feeling a void.

There are some other exciting things on the horizon, but nothing concrete yet. I know this is just a stage/phase and new days and months will bring new things. This rut won't last forever!

Nicki