Peeling the Onion - An Artist's Search for Authenticity

I have often heard the saying that searching for one's authenticity is like "Peeling Back the Layers of an Onion." I have been on this path for awhile now but lately it seems to be more important than ever.
Who am I now that my children are young adults and my role has a mother has changed? Can I now be the artist - the painter - working through the night - driven by a painting that needs to come out onto the canvas? I am doing that more than ever before my work is expressing my inner self - I am  reading Andrew Wyeth's Biography and learning the importance of painting daily. My goal, even as I am back to the snow, cold, wind and darkness...

is to paint daily choosing bright colors, write in my journal and meditate. Peeling back those layers... laughing, crying.... as I live the best life possible - NOW!
Love,
Cindy

Light and Color Filling my Creative Spirit - Girlfriends Getaway

This week I have been on a "Girlfriends Getaway" with a dear girlfriend, Sandy. We left on a cold and snowy morning in upstate NY and headed towards the light and color of Venice, Florida. Filling my creative "well" is so important and something that I am realizing is not only a want but a need. Light and color are a big part of my work both in design and painting. Here are a few photos of light... for those needing a little sunshine and warmth right about now...

I spent a few days at the beach doing watercolor sketches... I am so grateful... at peace listening to the wind, the ocean, barefoot in the sand. It was beyond my wildest dreams. Each day gets better and better. I am blessed to have family and clients who understand and support my need to travel. It gives me time to become clear, develop intentions and be creative.  AMAZING things are ready to happen for you too! Take a leap of faith and do what your heart desires. Namaste!

And Today's the Day!

©Harris Studios Inc. 2010       And Today's the Day

Driving into my studio, I pass by beautiful fields, barns, rolling hills... all examples of the beauty that can be found all around us in the Finger Lakes!

For many years I have thought about stopping and introducing myself to this amazing woman who is out tending her sheep early in the morning. I always seem to have a project deadline, a meeting, a phonecall to make. Well a few weeks ago, I stopped!!! I got out of the car, explained to the woman that I have always thought of stopping and she said "AND TODAY'S THE DAY" Wow!
She allowed me to take some pictures of her and I have been working on this oil painting of her and her babies.  ... Some details.

©Harris Studios Inc. 2010       And Today's the Day

©Harris Studios Inc. 2010       And Today's the Day

What I am learning is that I need to do what my heart is telling me to do NOW... not put it off till someday when I have more time because that day may not come.  Whether it is making that phonecall to a dear friend, taking that class, or stopping to take that photo and meet someone I have always wanted to, TODAY'S THE DAY! 

When the teacher is ready, the students appear!

I know that I have always wanted to work with others to share some of the creative gifts I have been given. Also, I have been given the best teachers in my life - Dick Trick, Dick Kane, Pat Rini Rohrer, Stan Moeller who all appeared at just the right time in my life.

When I started out in college, I majored in painting and thought I would be an art teacher. But after taking some design classes which I really liked, I switched my major to Communication Design.  Through the years it has been so much fun integrating my love of painting and illustration with the computer graphics/ design. I work with such great clients on very creative and exciting projects every day.....

However..... was there a way to work with others introducing them to painting and technique while also allowing them to share thoughts and feelings about past experiences and letting go? This could be a combination mini creative retreat... Hmmmmmm....

I have found that when things are supposed to happen, they do and this past week, I was able to work with a husband and wife from Pittsburgh,

a group of mothers and daughters as part of a Girlfriends Getaway Package at Springdale Farm B&B

 

http://www.iloveny.com/Find-Deals/Wings-And-Watercolor---Workshop-for-Women/262.aspx 

and today, a friend. 

Each experience was filled with laughs and a few tears. The paintings and discussions were heartfelt and beautiful.

As part of this process, I am developing an art kit which had very positive feedback from the weekend participants. The bag alone is a work of art and is handmade by an textile artist friend...Mary Lane.

I will put these kits up on Etsy soon.... everything you need to get started in watercolor. They will make a great holiday gift for  someone ready to explore their creativity and learn about themselves while doing so.  They will be available in beautiful colors as well.

You never know where life will lead.... put it out there and it just may happen... sometimes not when I think it should or expect it. But always at just the right time.  The saying really is "when the student is ready, the teacher appears" I truly believe that if we are willing.... and get out of our own way, amazing things will happen. I hope you all can bring forth the artist within which can heal your mind, body and spirit.... Love and peace to you.
Cindy

Watercolor Still life

Setting up my painting area... my inspiration when working on flower paintings or still life...is part of the exciting process that gets me into a deep space of creativity. Often I pull things from around the house... vases, antique pitchers, doilys that my great grandmother made, fresh fruits and veggies, etc. and arrange them beautifully.

My watercolor palettes, paints and brushes fit right in.

I start out with small sketches or paintings studies and get intimate with the subject matter, exploring its color and shapes. I look deeply, quietly and feel what the subject matter is saying to me and try to capture that in a painting.

I just love this time of the year when I can walk out to my flower garden and pick gorgeous wildflowers, ferns and other natural objects to arrange into a still life.

Here is the finished 20" x 30" watercolor which I am really happy with. 

Shades of Pink            © C. Altmire Harris 2010

and an oil.... 

Romance           ©C. Altmire Harris 2010

It is just a beautiful day here in the Finger Lakes of New York State. The birds are singing, everything is alive and green. I am so grateful to be able to do what  I love, work with so many nice people, and be creative on a daily basis. All my best to you and thank you for reading my  blog today. I am going to try to be a little more regular at writing...  once a month is my goal. We shall see. 

Plein Air Painting ~ Monhegan Island Maine!

Enjoying the beautiful spring and early summer sunshine in the Finger Lakes, taking many trips to the Adirondacks, design and painting as well as joyous family events have kept me busy and away from my blog.... but I am still here... fuller as a person and artist. A recent workshop on Monhegan Island with Stan Moeller, whose work reminds me of Sorolla, was an experience that has changed me.  His guidance to "paint what you see - not what you know" , encouragement to explore new colors and  high contrast, slowing down to feel what the landscape or model has to say.... gave my sketches new drama and life. Stan's website is Stan Moeller and I encourage you to check out his beautiful paintings.

The list of artists that have painted on Monhegan Island is extensive... and I can see why they kept going back. It is such and inspiration to be there... focused and full of this creative energy and the light is amazing...  Here are just a few... Andrew Wyeth, NC Wyeth, George Bellows, Robert Henri, Windslow Homer, Rockwell Kent and Edward Hopper.

Well, we did lots of sketches around the island and here are a few of mine. ... I am hoping to create some better paintings while using them as reference. I grew so much as an artist there!

April Snow in the Finger Lakes

I love Spring in the Finger Lakes of New York State! We have an old fashioned lilac bush behind our home which is beginning to bloom. I am so excited to paint some watercolors of the gorgeous flowers. This morning, we awoke to big flakes of snow coming down and I grabbed my camera to take some photos... Aren't they so pretty with the pure snow lying upon the leaves and blooms?  

This was one of those times when nature gives us only a few moments to respond... following our intuition can be learned... listening to that little voice inside that says "this is important - do this now!" 


I am so glad I listened and took these photos. By this afternoon, the sun was shining and the snow was gone. (really glad about that!) but I loved the photos! 


Enjoy the moments in your day and listen to your intuition!