Art & Fear Lessons

Another word for creativity is courage. -- George Prince

 

Usually, I do not struggle too much with Art & Fear. But a recent experience proved otherwise.

Initially, I was afraid of accepting the invitation to create an altar to benefit the Celebration Circle church. Once I received my raw wooden piece, I was afraid to start it. Once I started it, I was afraid to ruin it. Once I finished it, I was afraid to turn it in. Once I turned it in, it was greeted with lots of compliments and interest.

All my fears melted.

I felt honored. I felt like a REAL artist. I felt a part of a group of 54 others. I felt so glad I accepted this challenge, faced my fears, worked through them, and finished an altar I am very proud of.

This was huge step on my path. I will remember it next time I'm faced with the next bout of Art & Fear.

One People, Many Paths: The Sacred Art of Altars

Everyone is invited to attend the opening of "One People, Many Paths: the Sacred Art of Altars", next Sunday, September 1st, at 6 p.m., in the Bijou Theater Gallery at Wonderland Mall. Along with 49 local artists, I have created a shrine to benefit the Celebration Circle church. Silent auction bidding is open all month and exhibit viewing is free during theater hours.

A full description of my step-by-step progression of my shrine is highlighted here on my blog, during the months of July and August.

Seal It and Add a 3-D Element

The last things I did before turning in the altar to the Celebration Circle was to seal the painting on the inside and gesso and stencils on the outside.



Taking a shell lei I had gotten during my last visit to Hawaii, I wrapped it up in some bookbinders white linen thread and used a flower designed carpet tack to attach it to the top. I painted the tack to harmonize with the white theme. Now the shells can swing gently!

It was hard saying good-bye to the altar but I am so glad I decided to do this.

Come visit this piece and 49 others at the Bijou Theatre Gallery in Wonderland Mall. It will be on exhibit the whole month of September. Silent auction bidding is open all month. On Septeber 30th, the auction will close, there is a reception, light buffet and special screening of a movie. Full details here: here

Add a Little to the Sides

Still not finished with my altar, I felt it needed more elements.

Using stencils I handmade from an old muumuu of my Mom's, I loved the idea of using Hawaiian flowers on the side. But, I wanted to keep the over-all white beach cleanness.

Then, I hit upon the idea of mixing sand with light modeling paste. Cool!

 

 

 

 

A subtle, but effective result!

 

 

 

 

 

Add the Trim and Paint it

I kept the trim I first envisioned (with a different landscape!), attached and then painted it.

I really like the white gesso. It intensifies the laid-back, relaxing beach scene.

Paint the Inside

A few Sundays ago, I dove in and painted the inside of the Sacred Altar, thus eliminating all the other ideas I originally had for this project.

This is the cool thing about working in 3-D instead of a flat canvas or piece of paper--you have those great side panels, the bottom, and the cathedral-like top. Also, the outside.

At this point, I really liked the plain white gesso on the outside. It complimented the beach scene. But, change was in the air.

Add a Few Coats of Gesso

After adding two coats of white gesso, I started playing with designs.

I cut some wood trim to fit the edges and began laying out possibilities. Often, I have an abundance of ideas. The hard thing is to pick just one, narrowing down the varibles. Art is choosing!

Take a Raw Wood Altar

Last month, I was honored to be chosen as one of fifty artists to create a Sacred Altar for the Celebration Circle's annual exhibit and silent auction.

These are the "before" photos, showing the plain altar. It is 20" tall, 10" wide, and almost 4" deep.

A fine blank container to begin any number of creative ideas.