Greetings Friends,
How’s your hair doing? Have you been cutting it yourself? Letting it grow? Have you found a friend to cut it for you?
I haven’t had a haircut in three months, and I feel like I have a mop on my head. Here’s my current unruly look.
I’m edging in on a Beatles haircut, from their early days. I always seem to have hair in my eyes, and it’s often a tangled mess. I guess it’s kind of cute in a reckless sort of way. I’m definitely not aiming for perfection right now.
Since my hairdresser quit, I either have to find a new haridreser or let my hair grow. What do you think? Cut it, or let it grow out?
Do you follow artist Louise Fletcher? In her newsletter this week, she had this to say about making art that you love:
When my work feels stiff or dull or unappealing, I know I have gone off track. I have forgotten who I am – I have forgotten how to paint joyfully.
This was the big revelation to me a few years ago … I suddenly realised that the key to making art that I loved was to paint in a way that I loved. For me that means bold moves, lots of paint, risk-taking, colour, strong value contrasts, drips, scratching into wet paint, collage, drawing, monoprinting onto the board or canvas …so many different things that bring me joy, provided I get out of my own head.
Louise’s comments resonate with me. There are certain painting styles and techniques that come naturally to me, and I’m happiest when I’m painting in that way. When I try to follow anyone else’s advice about what makes good art, I don’t like the result.
Once again, it comes down to you being you! There are things you can learn about making art from other people, but then you have to incorporate those lessons into your own language.
It’s been a busy week for me art-wise. I finished four collage pieces in my coronavirus series. I’ve been experimenting with different materials, including colored pencils and tulle fabric — the netting that’s used to make ballet tutus. Tulle makes an interesting subtle grid over the piece, and colored pencils work great on top of the collage.
Here are the four new pieces. Click on the images to see them larger in a browser.
“Gluttony,” 16 x 20 inches, collage on canvas panel
“Heartstrings,” 20 x 16 inches, collage, enamel and tulle on canvas panel
“The Truth Will Prevail,” 16 x 20 inches, collage, colored pencil and enamel on canvas panel
“Time Stands Still,” 16 x 20 inches, collage, graphite and colored pencil on canvas panel
What’s happening in your world? Do you think this isolation will ever end? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. You can share them with us in the comments section below.
With love and appreciation,
Cassandra
Hello-
My world is so different than yours, I wish I could be in lockdown. My creativity is being stifled by the fear of bringing home a virus that my husband may not survive. I keep hearing people talk about the pains of lock down and wish I had that, I did a 14 day quarantine in the beginning and enjoyed my creative time at home. I work for the State of Iowa, and they claim they need me at work, but I am glad I have work, so I go, only to wait for the unknown. Please enjoy your time and I love the pieces that you are making, so enjoy seeing your art. Have a great day!
Your friend from Iowa,
Kim Moore
Hi Kim! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yes, this pandemic has hit different people in different ways. Some have more free time, and others have less time. Some businesses have more sales, and other businesses are closed. Some people are sick or afraid of getting sick, and others aren’t concerned. It’s strange in that way. It’s not the same experience for everyone. Hang in there! This, too, shall pass.