For my initial posting, I thought it appropriate to explore the concept of beginnings. Obviously there is no completion without a start point, there is no action with out initiation. We often procrastinate, neurose and create a number of complications in beginning, and we are always anxious of whether our first at anything will be "good enough."
Chances are, the more emotions involved in starting a project, the more important it really is to us. And the more fear one feels, the more crucial it is to just Start. For me, this sometimes just means throwing down some tone or color on my canvas. For a photographer, it may mean just clicking away. For a writer, it may mean to write a list. For a tradesman, it may mean taking some measurements. Whatever the nature of the project, any action taken will put us one step closer to accomplishment.
In looking at it this way, beginnings require a certain amount of faith, and for us to let go of expectations of what the end product will be. It is an innocent, curious and wide eyed thing to just dive in and allow for our ability to create to take over. It taps in to our visceral child-like nature that wishes to explore, make a mess and not worry about what will happen next.
Below I have posted some artwork from my high school art classes. My teacher at the time, Mr. Paola, created an environment where we had whatever medium at our disposal, while sharing with us his priceless knowledge and experience. By the time I reached my senior year, I was in art for most of my school day, including our lunch hour. I had friends who were just as committed, all of like little green sprouts in his garden. A favorite art friend was color blind, and so would do these huge monochromatic pieces which were, on a certain level disturbing. Another loved graffiti work. I was more drawn to comics, anime and realism.
Looking at these helps me to remember the joy in experimenting. Most are in colored pencil and ink, as I was intimidated by paint. I now enjoy the expanse of creating large scale paintings in the form of murals. Where I used to always tentatively draft my images out in careful pencil outlines, I began to use looser charcoal strokes, and now confidently proceed with pen or paint. Without a doubt, I am able to map out my intentions without the need to erase.
It feels really good to get there, and I am learning this more and more with each new beginning.
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