New Passions!

So lately I’ve gotten creative. Probably the most creative I have ever felt in my life. I’ve dabbled in a little of everything from time to time, but usually my OCD and need for perfection usually stops me from continuing them.

I’ve always written, whether journal style or some fiction I wrote almost 30 years ago. It was hard for me to journal for a long time because of the fact that I was pretty negative and writing just made me dote on it even more and I spiraled. As far as the fiction goes, I wrote about 16 pages of a story when I was in high school. I had told my friend about it and he wanted to read it. So I gave him the first 10 pages or so. Well a couple of days goes by, I ask for it back and he has lost it! I was pissed. Lo and behold, there was no point, I felt to continue writing and it really kept me from writing again. I’ve always felt I have a way with written words. Believe me I have enjoyed getting back to writing with this blog. No telling how big the audience will ever be, but I enjoy writing it.

A few times over the last couple of years, I’ve wanted to make something nice for my daughters. Usually when I’m by myself and looking to fill my time. One year I traced a page from a Frozen coloring book and painted it. One time it was the Little Mermaid . It was something I really enjoyed. Creating but not, if that makes sense. I can’t draw to save my life, so I cheated and used someone else’s. But the technical side of mixing colors and making sure it was what I wanted just sang to me.

About 2 weeks ago we had nothing going on at work. I found myself on YouTube. One of my suggested videos was pour painting. I sat transfixed for 5 minutes watching this thing. And down the rabbit hole I went. Video after video. Techniques, mixes, canvases, set-ups, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera…….

Well that afternoon I found myself with a left over canvas that I had laying around and some paints. I mostly had everything for the initial set-up, but then I poured my first canvas. Little 8″x10″ canvas. Next thing I know, about 2 weeks and 10 canvases in, I’m in love. Every time I put paint on the canvas it is something new. Even if I use the exact same mixtures, pours, and everything else. Every single one is different. And I can tell how far I have come in myself as I love the fact that I have very little control over the outcome of this creation process. The paint is going to do what it’s going to do.

So there was a little break while I was writing this. I decided to try something new. And let me tell you this one is going to drive me nuts. There are people out there that can watch someone do something once or twice and be able to do it just like them. I am NOT that guy. So this one will drive me nuts until it looks like some of the most gorgeous creations I have seen. Don’t get me wrong it is racking my head, but it is still fun. And when you get that one you like, it feels great!

One of the constraints that I am having here in Riyadh is the fact that I dont have access to alot of stuff that is on the market. Things I could get with relative ease if not from Amazon in a couple of days. Products that would definitely make the flow of the paint so much better. But I deal with it and am trying my best to at least get some techniques down before I am able to get the stuff I need

So there it is, I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. And every now and then he might actually enjoy them!