Faraway Dreams
Mixed media (acrylic/paper/ink) Kate Iredale
I finally finished my latest painting…as usual it sat for weeks, untouched until last week when I got so tired of looking at it I just dived in and wrapped it up.
After years of repeating this pattern, I finally figured out what it’s all about… why I start something, let it sit unfinished for weeks, if not months…and then finish it up really quickly. It’s a very old pattern of mine that I’m (happily) changing. For much of my life, I've started projects and then not finished them. at. all. If I didn’t finish something, then I couldn’t be criticized. In fact it was only today that I realized that by not finishing, I not only couldn’t be criticised by anyone else…I got to criticize myself for never finishing anything! Oh the games we all play! LOL
Happily, once we understand our motivation (or lack there of), we’re 90% of the way to overcoming it!
I began this canvas by overlaying it with several pages that I ripped out of an old book. I wanted abstract and I wanted simple. The multi coloured portion on the left was done with a palette knife and much of the remaining image was done by rubbing paint on (and off) with a moist cloth. Finally I rubbed a stain over the finished piece (and then wiped it off) to bring up the texture.
I’m grateful today on this, the 20th day of the 30 Days of Gratitude Photo Project, that I finished this painting!
Resistance is experienced as fear; the degree of fear equates to the strength of resistance.
Therefore the more fear we feel about a specific enterprise, the more certain we can be that that enterprise is important to us and to the growth of our soul.
That’s why we feel so much resistance. If it meant nothing to us, there’d be no resistance.
Steve Pressfield, The War of Art
kate, this is breathtaking! I think it is my favorite of all of your work---I love it!
The quote from the War of Art has convinced me to FINALLY read this book, which I have and have been meaning to read for so many years I cannot count. He has hit it on the head with resistance.
Again, what beauty on your canvas! xoO
Posted by: olivia | 11/20/2011 at 09:55 PM
Glad you finished this Kate, it's a beautiful painting! Love the colours and the mistinesss...just wonderful!
Posted by: Patti | 11/21/2011 at 11:58 AM
What a beautiful painting, Kate – that blue is such a soulful color, isn't it? Well done on completing it, too. Me, I'm not past the dreaming-about-painting-one-day stage. :)
Posted by: Georgianna | 11/22/2011 at 11:51 PM
Well, I am just going to repeat what everyone else is saying but what a gorgeous and beautiful painting! Love, love the colors and composition, there is just something about it that draws you in and keeps your eyes wanting to come back. It's perfect for the title of the post, too :) I have a similar track record when it comes to projects although my reason for not completing them is a little different. Great quote, too. I am rally loving this gratitude series of yours :) xo
Posted by: Kerstin | 11/23/2011 at 07:55 AM
Beautiful ! I wish I could paint and draw, well, I guess many other things too :) I do know all about starting and not finishing...like a classic I started reading one high school summer. Hope you have a wonderful week/end.
Posted by: lauren | 11/23/2011 at 09:57 AM
Beautiful composition, beautiful colours.
I adore it. It is so soothing and at the same time so enchanting that I just want to go inside to see what other secrets it holds.
A beautiful work, Kate. Congratulations, and thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Dawna | 11/23/2011 at 01:51 PM
Finally getting caught up on your blog, Kate. LOVE this painting. It is peaceful and joyful. I totally get the not finishing to not be criticized, yet criticizing yourself for not finishing. So glad you finished this and shared it. You are so very talented!
Posted by: Ruth | 12/04/2011 at 03:29 PM