Seeing The Beauty In Everything

For the past few months I've been preparing for an art show that I'm going to have at Un Mundo. I do watercolor paintings of things found in nature. I decided that, since my show is going to be right by the farmers market , I would like to get some things at the market to paint.  So after the farmers market opened, I started going down on Saturday mornings. One morning I was talking to a friend that has a farm stand there, and told her I was looking for something to paint.  She was telling me some of the things she thought would be nice subjects to paint...a small ear of popping corn, a head of lettuce with water drops on it, etc.  and she said "Oh, but you're the artist...an artist sees beauty in everything!"  I thought for a minute, and said, "Well, I try to"... That evening Desi spoke at the well. She talked about the people she saw as she walked home from the farmers market that day, and how she loves people, and to see what's in  their hearts. Someone made a comment about us needing to truely "see" eachother (not just with our eyes). "Oh", I thought. That's what I do with my art!"... But, then I thought, "do I do that with people?"

The following week I was looking into getting business cards.  I decided to look  in a thesarus for words describing my work . I looked up the word observe, which means" to see, notice". Some of the synonyms are " to behold, contemplate, espy, perceive, scrutinize". "Espy" was a new word to me, so I looked it up.  It means to "catch sight of". Some of the synonyms are "discover, find, glimpse". I decided to wait on getting the cards, but  all the while I was thinking,  "An artist sees the beauty in everything..." and "...Do I do that with people?"

My bio for my show says,"...She is drawn to the intricate beauty of simple objects that are often overlooked." My subjects are feathers, leaves, shells, flowers,vegetables, etc. I look so closely at them, that I find it overwhelming at times. I've had people ask me if I've ever considered doing a painting of a bird. Are you kidding!! A whole bird?!! I see so much detail in a single feather!

When I do a painting, it is a process. Watercolor painting takes careful thought and preparation.  You can't just paint over a mistake.  It takes forethought and patience.This is heightened even more for me because of the type of paintings I do. I have to control the paint, and the amount of water I use.  Sometimes I have to work quickly in a specific area. ...use a sponge, change brushes, etc.

These are the steps I go through when I do a painting:

1. Find a quiet place to work with good lighting.

2. Pick subject matter.

3. Figure out placement of the subject and direction of lighting.

4. Pick out paper and brushes of various sizes, paper towel and watercolor sponge.

5. Make  light sketch of subject, being careful to note areas of shading, etc.
6. Select and mix colors. 

7. Lightly put down the first layer of color.

8. After it dries, put down the second layer, beginning to define various colors and shading.

9. Continue adding as many layers as needed in order to bring about the desired likeness, giving it time to dry between layers.

10. Add the  fine details...textures, whisps,etc., usually using fine-tipped brushes.

11. Apply shadow under the object.

12. Make one last inspection, and add any final  touches needed...definition of lines, shading, etc.

13. Put my signature on it.

Sometimes I start over, if I'm not happy with the results.

How did I learn to do this? I Didn't just sit down one day and decide to paint.

I went to School for it. This involved taking the requirements for an art major, which involved many aspects and types of art...Pottery, Sculpture, Drawing, Art History,etc. At first I didn't have an area of expertise, but eventually  I narrowed it down to what I enjoyed the most and what I was good at, which was drawing and watercolor painting. Later I also added paper making.

My drawing and painting classes were 3 hours long , and involved hours and hours of practice, both in class and out of class. We had an assignment due once a week, which  entailed a critique in front of the whole class. After five years I graduated with a degree in Art. Even though I spent all of that time learning technique, I hadn't developed my own style.

It wasn't until years later that I discovered my personal style, then I spent long hours practicing and perfecting it.After a while it became natural to me. I still have to plan it and think it through, but it has become a part of me. I'm not just following steps, I am also trying to convey a message, which is to stop and take a closer look. I've discovered that it is a form of worship for me. I was made to do this! I do it because it's part of who I am.  When I show my art to someone, I am taking a risk and being vulnerable. I've gotten to be very careful about it. I've found that my hard work or even my style is not always appreciated. "Oh... thanks".... Having no idea of the work it took, or the intent behind it.

We can be that way with eachother...not taking into account the process we've each gone through.

The people, experiences,events, etc, in our lives are like brush strokes which bring form and distinction to each one of us.

Ephesians 2: 10 in the Amplified says,

"For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus,[born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand ) for us [taking paths which he prepared ahead of time],that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made readily for us to live]."

And 1 Peter 5 :10 in the Amplified says,

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen and settle you."

He is committed to each one of us, and cares about every detail of our lives.

Let's be patient with ourselves and eachother as the Lord makes us what we ought to be.

May we appreciate and respect the care that has gone into each one of us, and behold (espy) the beauty of the Lord in simple, everyday people.

                                                 - Maureen Level