The Art of Painting

One may ask what an artist feels when they paint? What motivates them? What inspires them?

Well, today I will share my own motivation and inspiration, the best that I can. It's not the easiest thing to explain, as I don't fully understand the depth and meaning of it myself. Ever since I was a child, I've been creating things. From nothing into something, that part of me has always come naturally. Growing up, I wanted to become a dog groomer like my Nana, but after taking art in high school I discovered my passion was art.

What is my inspiration and motivation for painting? The feeling painting gives me after the end result, and having the ability to create a colourful masterpiece that catches my eye and heart is definitely very motivating. Before I start a painting I have ideas, inspiration a clear mind and heart, and lots of passion. Without any of those things, it simply wont work. I've had periods in my life during tragedy and heartbreak when I just couldn't pick up a paintbrush. Sometimes I won't paint for months, simply because my heart and head are in no place to create. When I am in full heart artist mode I have no trouble picking up a paintbrush and filling up a empty canvas with a wide array of strokes, layers, medias and colors. When I paint I seem to dissolve everything within me into my art, my heart seems to just guide my hand and paintbrush into colors and strokes onto the canvas. In a way it feels very magical. I never really stress during a painting, its really the art of letting it all go, and it ends in a finished piece.

The most frustrating thing as an artist is when I want to paint, but I have no idea or inspiration to start a painting. It takes patience and some digging before starting a new painting. Painting is like going into your heart and pulling out everything and throwing it onto a blank canvas. You lose track of time, nothing is on your mind, just pure beautiful silence. It's very meditative. I always feel better after painting, and never feel sad while painting.

My style is definitely evident in all of my art, and what I see that as, is my reflection. Those are the colours and strokes of my soul. I paint mainly landscapes such as mountainscapes, tropical scenes, sunsets, sunrises and the northern lights. I can only paint what inspires me and those scenes all hold a special place in my heart, those are places I always want to be present in.

My hope is for people be able to look at my paintings and get a sense of happiness, and peace. I also want to inspire people to follow their passions and fulfill their dreams. I hope that they will be able to let their reflection shine and open their hearts to risks and adventure. If I can change one life, then it's worth it. Because in the end, it is not what you take with you, but what you leave behind.