go with the flow

Today’s Illustration Friday word is “fluid”. I did the oil painting above many years ago and I remember as I approached the canvas that day, I wanted to paint it quickly, without a lot of thought or control. I suppose you could say, I wanted it to be fluid, to come from that part of my brain that doesn’t worry about rules and shoulds, about being good enough, right or wrong. I wanted to surrender to the rhythm of the moment, to allow the smell and feel of the oil paint move with my imagination across the blank, white canvas. And I wanted to stand on that beach myself, a thousand miles from nowhere beneath a dissolving canopy of cerulean blue sky.

“I’ve dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after and changed my ideas: they’ve gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind.” ~Emily Bronte

13 thoughts on “go with the flow”

That painting is lovely!! It’s how I feel every time I am near the ocean.

Lilli Day aka bookbabie on February 18, 2012 at 10:16 am said:

Me too Ti, still dreaming of my little white house overlooking the ocean where I write and paint…

Beautiful! So sunny, windy, sandy and romantic.

Lilli Day aka bookbabie on February 18, 2012 at 10:16 am said:

Thanks Hedwig!

I am so glad you found me so I could find your blog! Your painting is just beautiful – inspiring!! I think I have stood on that beach and it was wonderful… 😉 And your book looks like something I’d really enjoy – I am going to go check it out now… Warmly, Silke

Lilli Day aka bookbabie on February 18, 2012 at 10:19 am said:

Me too Silke, love when I come across a like minded spirit online, your blog and paintings are very soulful:)

Sometimes, when “monkey mind” doesn’t interfere, we free our creativity. What a dreamscape you’ve painted!

Lilli Day aka bookbabie on February 18, 2012 at 10:22 am said:

Monkey mind, I love that Barb! For me that’s the toughest part about being creative, keeping life’s ups and downs out of my head so I my imagination can take over. I can see why artists and writers are often loners, working out in the country in the middle of nowhere!

Beautiful! It does remind me of some of the more secluded beaches in southern California. And I love what she is wearing! Makes me want to be her if only for a few moments.