Last year I painted a series of water colours for chrimbly gifts. Both our sons and their girls have a pair of cats each. So I thought it would be fun to match their cats with a favourite flower or plant and I was rather pleased with the results.
I had issues finding four frames that suited not just the art work, but the owners and their décor however eventually I managed it.
Whilst the gifts were being unwrapped, in the corner of my eye I caught Himself's face and suddenly realised he would have been more than happy to have one of his grumpy cat too and dearly wished I had thought of that before. So I planned that as soon as I could I would paint one just for him.
Then, in February took early retirement and found that I could hardly hold a paintbrush and when I did, the results were not what I was aiming for. So I put away my paints and literally closed the door to my art desk. Fast forward to October and I tried again.....
All my doubts about my work vanished with his delight, I am very aware that I can not paint with the preciseness I used to be able to do, I can not grip a brush with pin point hair by hair painting any more - so I was, to be perfectly honest, disappointed with my efforts. But it appears he certainly wasn't 💗 .
Might not be able to do the teeny tiny paintings that I love doing but will pick up my paint brush a little bit more and get more at ease at the looser style.
They are all lovely Kate. Definitely don’t give up unless there is absolutely no other option. It is frustrating when, for whatever reason, we can’t do what we used to do. For me … the trick to dealing with that can be to try and find ways of adapting so there is still joy to be found but maybe in a slightly different way. When I used to craft all I ever saw were the flaws and the mistakes and how it could have been better. Of course … no one else saw any of that. They just saw the love that had gone into making something for them 💜
ReplyDeleteOh Carol, thank you, you just made me cry xx You are correct, it is learning to accept things change and adapting the skills you have and finding joy in them - thank you oh wise woman 😊
DeleteI certainly didn’t mean to make you cry but you are very welcome. I always remember a saying that someone once said to me that it wouldn’t be the fittest that would survive … but the ones most able to adapt. For some reason it’s just stuck with me x
DeleteBeautiful and about 10,000% (if there is such a thing!)better than most people could do!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue, that is so kind, I think I just need to get back into painting again 😊
DeleteOh they are lovely. The one of your grumpy cat (haha,) looks just like our old cat, only she had one blue and one green eye. She died age 20 last year and wasn't grumpy at all. You paint very well. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue, our grumpy girl has actually mellowed with age - she is 16ish and adores my other half, I am the 'spare human' 😄
DeleteI didn't realise that you'd stopped painting. I'm so pleased you've picked up your brush again, your artwork is beautiful and I'm so thrilled that I have that special painting of Archie which has pride of place in my home.
ReplyDeleteI stopped working early due to the damage my hands were suffering from years of gardening professionally, thinking that they would be able just pick up a paint brush and do as before was rather foolish, but nine - ten months down the line, they are getting to the point that may be I can get back to it more - which is what I am hoping to do x
DeleteThat's really beautiful. I would be thrilled if I could produce anything half so good. Keep on keeping on!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tracy xx
DeleteBoth my daughter and I will always cherish the pebble portraits of of cats, you can feel the love put into making them. Grumpy cat is a fine feline 🐈
ReplyDeleteThank you Marlene, I do love doing the pebbles :) And Grumpy cat just sent you a fine scowl when I told her she is a fine feline! xx
DeleteThese are great paintings of cats!
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara😊
DeleteAs ever fabulous. A friend of mine is an art teacher, but went through a divorce last year and is only now able to start to paint for pleasure again. She completely lost her confidence and it's been lovely to see her dip her toe back in the water.
ReplyDeleteThank you😊
DeleteIt is difficult to take that step after a substantial break, give her a cheer on from me, I know how it feels x
you've certainly caught Grumpy's character!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! She does scowl somewhat 😁
DeleteThey are such lovely and thoughtful gifts and even though you may have felt disappointed, the end results are beautiful. The looser style certainly seems to be something you are really good at! Hopefully, the more you get used to the style, the happier you will be with the end results. We are all such harsh critics of our own work, aren't we?!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Thank you😊 and yes, I constantly berate myself (my internal monologue is quite pernicious) so it is always a relief when they say they love the gift (phew!)
DeleteYour paintings are beautiful and the thought that goes into them ( such adorable presents) make them even more so. X
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Kate x
ReplyDeleteYour paintings are amazing, Kate. You are incredibly talented. Xx
ReplyDelete