welcoming imperfection on and off the canvas

welcoming imperfection on and off the canvas

by | Oct 15, 2019 | About, Inspiration, My Art Practice
welcoming imperfection on and off the canvas

The messiness of perfection

When I was in my twenties I had this inward and outward pressure to be some kind of perfect. Whether it be a perfect student, daughter, artist or even a woman for that matter.

I thought I could just get close to the ideals then happiness would sure to follow. In some ways it did and in other ways, I was looking far too narrow at life and art.
 

 

A few years later I gave myself the challenge to learn oil painting by reading, experimenting and failing over and over again.

“healing sisters” was born out of 4 years of relearning how to paint and how to see. Healing Sisters is the painting where I felt like I was really onto something new and where I surprised myself.

With are and life I learned.. Happiness isn’t something to chase or get its a place inside we are always able to tap into.

Embrace the messiness and magic in life and in art.

“Dragonfly spirit” is an oil painting on panel with gold leaf. I hadn’t painted on a panel or with gold leaf before, I was concerned I might make mistakes, ruin it or even fail.  (See the before below and after above.)

I soon reminded myself that there are no mistakes or failures it’s all apart of the journey of who I am and whom I’m becoming.

Take a risk and give yourself permission to be imperfect and to make messes.

Making art is like making magic I feel vulnerable, alive, free and love.
What are your messy and magical moments?

Much love, Le’Ana

“producing perfection from imperfection is, after all, the highest of art forms.” – 

Frank Herbert

Sky Buffalo Dancer- the story

Sky Buffalo Dancer- the story

by | Sep 1, 2019 | Art Process, Inspiration, My Art Practice

2018 the year I began painting portraits.

 

Here is a little peek into my process for this painting titled ” Sky buffalo dancer” oil on canvas 24×30. This young man is part of the Sky City Buffalo Ram dancers who dance at the Pueblo cultural center in Albuquerque New Mexico. I painted this with permission from the Pueblo Cultural Center.

 

In 2018 I decided to push myself and give a go at portraiture, this both scared and excited me. I felt I had grown enough in my technique and skill level. I have no real formal training in how to paint the portrait. The art school I went to 20 years ago focused on drawing and painting instruction was more of a conversation and less of demonstration.

 

 

Dancing is both a personal and community experience. We are quit literally dancing in the footsteps, stories, and songs of our ancestors. All of the parts of dancing about culture, community and prayer, from the assembling the regalia to the drumming and singing. In my case painting native culture is both a meditation and a prayer for me. This painting was very technically challenging, children are not proportioned the same as adults. The background is a combination of brushwork and pallet knife.  I really stretched my artistic self on this painting by mixing realism with the abstract background.

Here is what I’ve learned: Perseverance is the key to success. No really!

Allowing imperfection in my art process has allowed for exponential growth, and I ultimately end up creating what I need to learn at that moment. I got stuck many times and questioned myself throughout this painting but I didn’t give in or give up.

Each new painting shows me a new way to either apply paint, mix colors, use the brush, and so much more. The more I learn to paint, the more I realize I have so much more to evolve and experience in my art. Thank you for following along on my journey as an artist and blog writer.

Much love, Le’Ana

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