Developing communication skills

Katie Jeanne Wood
12×12 pink abstract painting
wip

I’m guessing I’m about three layers into this one.
I have no idea where it’s going yet. 

Sometimes, not knowing where a painting is going is a super uncomfortable feeling for an artist. Well..for me, anyway. I don’t mean to speak for all artists. I can only try to explain what it feels like for me..

My thoughts at this stage can become restless, relentless, and annoying. My brain noisily demands answers, and my body refuses to sit quietly like a well behaved child. 

Where is this painting going gnaws away at me, and becomes a puzzle I must solve NOW – even if it’s 3AM, and I haven’t slept for more than 24 hours.

When I paint silly portraits, I imagine the characters banging on the bars of their cage inside my head, until I let them out on the canvas. Some of them bang so loudly, they’ve woken me up in the dead of night. I knew I’d never get back to sleep, so I’ve reluctantly got up, and let them have their way. Okay, out cha go little ones..here’s your new canvas home. You’re free at last!! 

I know what you’re thinking, and before you call my portrait paintings spoiled brats for getting me up in the middle of the night, give me a second to explain. I mean, what other choice did I have? They wanted OUT from inside my brain..who could blame them? I wouldn’t like being forced to live inside my head, either. 🤣😂😜

My abstract paintings are a little different, I’m finding. They don’t talk to me as loudly or nearly as sassy as some of my little portraits do. It’s an easier relationship in some ways, more mature, sophisticated. Yet, difficult in other ways because I’m not quite hearing the voice of my abstract paintings clearly..yet.

work in progress

My abstracts come through to me in a soft whisper. Sometimes, if I’m lucky, one garbled word comes through here and there – never a complete sentence, tho. It’s as if the paintings are speaking to me through tin can telephones I used to make as a kid. I’m standing with one can up against my mouth yelling “I CAN’T HEAR YOU. WHAT DID YOU SAY??”, but it’s too late. The sound of their voice has already traveled off to lands far away, and I missed out. 

I’m confident the voice of my abstracts will get louder, and clearer in time, but only if I’m patient, quiet, and willing to listen. 

Perhaps you’ve developed better communication skills between you and your artwork? Do you know what your paintings are trying to say to you? Do you know what you’re trying to say through your paintings? And, why?

It’s interesting to think about. 

xo I hope you’re having a lovely Thursday. 

 

Sign up now to get my blog posts delivered to your inbox for free.