other artists and at the same time, challenge yourself!
Chaos in nature is immediately challenging and forces a good artist to impose some type of order on his or her perception of a site.
Wolf Kahn
I was taking a pastel class and our teacher, for the week’s homework, sent us out to paint…of all things…landscapes!
I was horrified and almost got queasy at the thought of attempting a landscape. “You don’t like landscapes,” that inner voice whispered in my ear. “You will most definitely fail at this assignment.”
Dreading the onslaught of things that would soon be bombarding my senses I decided to do a little research and see if I could find anything that resonated with me before heading outside with paper and pastels.
I discovered Wolf Kahn and immediately fell in love with his view of the landscape. This was something that I could relate to. The colors were bold and the subject matter was just abstract enough to make me believe that I too could choose to see things differently.
It was a turning point in the way that I began to use my camera; more as a paint brush that could move and meld images into the way that I would love to see them. Not always as they were but as they could be!
I am eternally grateful to that teacher and mentor, that talented artist who was able to see that pastels were not where I needed to be and that it was okay for me to spend my time in class repeating my work with my camera.
Those pastel classes freed me to accept my love for the camera and to commit to following that medium wherever it would take me.
This is a landscape. These are birch trees. They calm me and at the same time send my imagination soaring.
Don’t be held back by preconceived limitations and be willing to step out of your comfort zone and explore other mediums. You might be surprised at where it leads you and the friendships that you might build with other artists.
I envision some day doing a show with a group of artists all looking at the same “scene” and then interpreting it in their own medium and own style. I think it would be fascinating.
And for those who take the time to teach and encourage what they see in others artistically, I am incredibly grateful.
Thank you, Nan…
it's (almost always) about the water... 
”as they could be”…amen to that. Wonderful post.
Thank you, I think we share similar views on several fronts!
I love this landscape image…and i think you are right on about how we find our home in terms of creativity. The idea of a group show where everyone looks at the same landscape and then interprets it their own way is fabulous…i’ll keep that one mind 😛 cheers,Linda
Thank you, I thought that you might relate to this story being a photographer, pastel artist, and ceramist!
More and more I am appreciating what a personal journey this is that we’re on. And in that appreciation comes acceptance; with acceptance comes the embracing. Love those birches!
Thank you Jenny, you always nail it! I don’t think people realize how personal an image can be…
Absolutely no way I ever would have considered creating an ‘abstract’ photograph. I had no interest in Art in the Abstract of any kind. Recently, as an answer to a challenge, I’ve begun playing with the concept. Going so far as to Google Abstract Artists! I’ll admit I’m beginning, just beginning, to appreciate what I heretofore considered an ‘Alien’ Art Form. Taking those first tentative steps outside my zone of comfort…terrifying (ok maybe too strong a word here) but liberating too.
So pleased to read this! That’s exactly what I am talking about and who knows where this might lead you! Excellent…thanks for sharing this experience.