Night Paintings

For as long as I can remember I have struggled with taming the creative mind, especially at night. Not sure what it is, but it's as if the night beings come and kiss the forehead spreading wild imagination babies all over the place and they begin to hatch in ones head. Being a creative, I think we have all been there haven't we? I have learned not to fight this though, and rather trust that on these nights, it is wise to get up and create. 


I call these "Night Paintings." It isn't really about creating a piece to sell or wow the socks off anyone, rather, it is about being true to those creative juices and letting them flow, as there is always something to be learned by them. Some times....more than others, I paint total crap and am totally cool with that. It releases space in the heart and mind I think for more sound, conceptual paintings to see the light of day. Other times, I totally love what I create and am grateful to have listened to the impetus to get up...and dream out loud. 


I started my first painting by simply placing random watercolors on the wet paper. I had no color palette in mind, just let my instincts go where they needed. I added graphite, watercolor pencil, and had a riot of a time placing paint to flow. Now, to be honest, there are times when these paintings can get totally overdone and turn to mud. It is so easy to do, especially of I rush through them, so, I went slowly. 

I did end up changing the page up at least 3 times, and then, when there was nothing but the 4am birds cackling, I looked at the piece and knew it had to be two paintings rather than one. With the aid of a mat, I knew exactly which section to cut out and keep, and which to throw in my collage pile, These two paints, "Night Flowers" and "Little Beach House" are what came of my first go of painting through the sleep.

"Night Flowers" 11'' by 12" acrylic on paper

"Little Beach House" 4 " by 12" acrylic on paper

My next instinct was to go to bed, at this point it was 5am...and then I thought to myself, I always wake about 6:15, so what's the point of going to bed now, so I kept on. I didn't photograph the steps in this piece, it is totally bizarre and wish I had. He is an unexpected delight that seemed to come out of the shadows and show himself. Maybe this is what the night beings look like...maybe he is a dream master, I haven't a clue. What I do know is that "I Live In Your Head" is one hoot of a painting! It is odd enough that I love it but then again I sit and shake my head that it is just too odd...if there is such a thing. 

"I Live In Your Head" 12" by 16" acrylic on paper

Living life as a creative means choosing to listen to the spirit when it calls, to get up and create even in the middle of the night, and trust that path to be the one to follow. I live this way with my faith, my creativity, and my writing, and for me, I can't imagine counting sheep any other way.