Now, I see clearly

Ok, I know what you must be thinking... What's this??? Right?

Well believe or not I can always see more clearly when I squint. He, he.. I know.. that doen's make any sense.. but it does actually.

 
See, what happens is when you squint, you are able to focus more on 2 really important elements of an illustration.

1. Balance in a composition

2. Balance in color

Something kind of magical happens when I squint that all the distraction fades away and I am able to see more clearly those important elements.

So if you see me working, you'll see me squinting every now and then. Ha! Ha.. I even squint while putting all the lights on the christmas tree! Makes those little white lights pop and I can make it all nice and balanced :o)

Go ahead, try it for yourself and see....

now, I see clearly

Taking a little peek outside... 

Whether it's outside my window or even outside of my comfort zone, taking a moment helps me see more clearly.

NOW, I see clearly.

Newspaper fun
(click to create your own!)

I created this back in 2006 when I had lasik eye surgery. This was probably the scariest thing I have ever done but ultimately the most liberating. I have to admit, I was in mourning for a couple of weeks afterwards for my glasses. I missed the vision I had with them..seeing through glass, plus the security of just being able to hide myself behind frames.

Now, I'm thrilled. Losing a contact or breaking my glasses isn't a dread anymore. NOW, I see clearly. Even the wrinkles, ugh. =O)

Now, I see clearly

I've had a little breathing room of late, something I have not had in quite awhile. There are always 1,000 projects waiting desperately for "down time". Projects that need to get done. Revising my web site, updating other online portfolios with newer material and working on my children's portfolio art work are but a few of them. But sometimes I just need to stop. These days, I so rarely do some art work for myself, with nothing else relying on it but my own creativity. I sketch for myself, sure, but I can't remember the last time I completed a piece of work, just because it's fun. So this week, I started doing some paintings in acrylic, a medium I have not used in years but one I used to use a lot and loved it a lot. So we are getting reacquainted. I just completed paintings #4 and 5 tonight.

I think my spurt of creating work just for myself fits this week's theme very well. I especially like how this cat fits the bill. It's the first little painting I finished (Sunday 4/27) and the image says it all. A pensive, thoughtful cat with big black eyes. Kind of funny, this cat does not look like my typical cat at all. I was surprised by this cat. But it's a nice cat, and the cat does seem to be communicating something through his eyes.

I hope you enjoy. If you would like to see the second painting I completed, please check it out here.