New Life, New Painting.

Daffodils in Vase. Tissue, acrylic and gutta. 30cm x 40cm on MDF board.

Oh My!  Nearly 2 months since my last post.  So much has happened.  I have purposely been trying to take life a little more slowly so made a conscious decision not to worry about my blog but to adjust gently to the move with a ‘come what may’ attitude.  And so……. we came, and so did life and lots has occured.  We got here in Derbyshire at the end of May, and it is a pretty place.  I do love it here.  The children are settling well into the Steiner school (with a few bumps along the way, but I think that is expected), and we too are adjusting as parents to the changes.  I don’t for a minute have any doubts that we have done the right thing.  Our kids seem to have become ‘fuller’ and so much more of themselves already.  They’re growing well with their new challenges.

Jamie's Space

Sue's Space

I have some studio space set up in the house this time, sharing a work-room with my partner. (Mine’s the messy end!)  It is nice having it back home again and I am getting used to doing ‘a bit here and there’ when I can, fitting in it with my role of motherhood.  I saw a link in Jane DesRosier’s blog to this documentary film concerning motherhood as well as being a creative.  I resonate with it all: www.whodoesshethinksheis.net

I only started to paint again last week as I have been so busy with home-making and putting down new roots for myself and the family.  So, here we have my first piece from my new space.  I must admit that the initial outburst of creativity came out of frustration.  A little bit of anger and resentment which I was feeling was due to the fact that I had worked like a dog since I got here and hadn’t actually taken the time to do anything ‘creative’, sparked this piece.  And then it just seemed to flow.  It just fell out of me.  I like this piece – I translated that enegy in to something joyous.  But the harsh lines!!!  Why do I always end up creating such rigid paintings.  I guess that is just my style – authentically me.  But what does that say about me?  Uptight?  Contained?  Orderly?  Contol Freak??  Who knows?  I keep trying to blur edges and then forget again and get back into the habit of definite out-lines.  Old habits die hard or what!  I took up mixed media painting about a year ago to try to get me out of the habit of being so ‘perfectionist’ about my art.  In my previous incarnation as artist I was mentally torturing myself with finecky details and actually not being that creative at all.  You can see my old work here: www.susan-rhodes.co.uk.  In Steiner schools they have a very interesting method of painting without lines, especially in the earlier years.  They just use paint (natural pigments), wet on wet, and everything blurs and blends.  I think they are trying to teach children to create without boundaries, which is a wonderful means of expression.  These paintings have an ethereal quality and a sense of free spirit.  They are really lovely, – I think I need lessons!  Here’s one my daughter made:

Steiner painting without boundaries

Well, it’s been nice to have touched base with you all.  Will hopefully keep my blog updated now.  Although……….my children do break up today for the summer holidays so I am likely (like all mothers) to have my hands full at this time of year.  Never a dull moment!!

Tags: acrylic, Derbyshire, mixed media, Mother, painting, Steiner school