What does an artist do on the morning after $2.5 trillion evaporates from global stock markets? Paint of course and not just any painting but en plein air by the sea.
It is 8:30 am. The morning is as gray unsettled as the global economy. It really didn’t hold much promise and looked like the bottom was going to fall out of the sky any second.
The only bright spot are these pink roses at the side of the lighthouse building.
The rocks down below me catch my interest but I have come to paint the sea.
Hopeful that the sun will recover its golden glow before noon. I set to work.
I stop infrequently. There will be no process photographs but I do catch a sailboat heading across Georgia Strait.
(this image may be purchased here.)
You can still see it in the distance as I leave aside the first 12 X 12 inch canvas to rest.
(this image may be purchased here.)
The sky starts to clear as I set up for the next 10 X 10 inch canvas. I wonder what time it is? Hum, ten o’clock. Let’s see what we can do.
Again I work steadily as the light and colours change faster than my brush can make a mark on the canvas. The sun is so bright I have a hard time seeing my work and have an even harder time capturing a photograph for you.
It is not finished but it has the energy of the moment and can be completed once this first work has dried.
I am getting tired but I want to do one more painting on my small 8 X 8 inch canvas. It is now just after 11:00 am.
(this image may be purchased here.)
The strokes seem to slip onto the small canvas effortlessly.
Oh my! It is now 12:30 am and I am ravenous! Time to pack up three very wet unfinished oil paintings and head for home.
This past week’s financial upheaval is not a surprise. In fact it has been a long time coming for those of us paying attention. More than ever we need to build on our resiliency, our connection to community and set a course directed by what is essential in our lives at this moment. A morning painting was my perfect answer. This is how I fortify my strength and clarity for whatever may be next.
Sprout question: How are you creatively going to weather our global financial storm?
© 2011 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.
From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com
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Creative Potager 
Absolutely gorgeous sequential work in progress post, that is so ravishing that you want to immerse yourself in the colors and breathtaking images. You had similar posts here in the past, but perhaps not one as thorough and all-encompassing, taking in the creative process, the on location inspiration and the passage of the day.
In any case it was a sure creative burst to defy the finantial doom and gloom that has been rearing its ugly head in all our towns and countries, and it’s a counter to depression. We all need to tighten our belts for sure, and that’s pretty much the answer to your sprout question Terrill.
Thanks Sam and this is true. However, we don’t need to shorten the length of our walks or tighten up on our smiles to the person next to us or stop taking the time to listen to one another. These things are still available to us in abundance. We can draw in the sand if we have only a stick. We can perform a play if we no longer have a movie theatre. We need clean air, potable water, good unmodified foods, a warm dry shelter and family, and friends and maybe a little wine now and again;) For now, though the shifts and changes will change quickly like my morning painting of the sea, I believe we are okay.
I just love seeing your process. The colors are so vivid and real. How am I going to weather the storm? I spent all weekend sewing in my studio. I feel peaceful and safe. I will stay put for awhile and turn off the news. Terah
Terah I do not have a T.V. to turn off and haven’t most of my life. But I do dip into online news now and again. I think you have a sound plan laid out and I wish you a very peaceful time sewing.
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Terrill,
What a beautiful way to stave off the material world! Be creative, I always thrilled when you take us on these wondrous painting journeys! It is so present, so in the moment, even while you are reviewing the moments once again for your self and your blog friends.
I loved your response to Sam: … “we don’t need to shorten the length of our walks or tighten up on our smiles to the person next to us or stop taking the time to listen to one another. These things are still available to us in abundance. We can draw in the sand if we have only a stick. We can perform a play if we no longer have a movie theatre. We need clean air, potable water, good unmodified foods, a warm dry shelter and family, and friends and maybe a little wine now and again;) For now, though the shifts and changes will change quickly like my morning painting of the sea, I believe we are okay.”
There are always options, and always a more present way to be in the world.
Thanks Jeff and I agree with you about that “there are always options, and always a more present way to be in the world.” Be in the moment when it is uncomfortable and chaotic isn’t easy but I find that it is often our natural response if we let be.
Dear readers, I am away the next few days and will have limited to no time online. If I don’t get back to your comment right away it is not because I am ignoring you. Best of the week and I shall catch up with you soon:)
Terrill –
I can’t even pick out a favorite photograph because each one is pulling to me with equal ferver. The way you’ve taken these shots makes me feel like I’m actually there — wind ruffling my hair and all.
Sprout question: How are you creatively going to weather our global financial storm?
Continue to follow my True North and stay the course.
I thought it was just me Laurie that could still feel the wind in my hair when I look at these images – glad your hair is a all mussed up as well 🙂 Yes, staying the course is sometimes exactly what is required.
Wow, what a productive day you had, Terrill.
As for your sprout question, I will creatively weather our global financial storm as I usually do: not get caught up in worry, enjoy family and friends, paint, sew and enjoy the outdoors. Take care, Sue
Thanks Sue… it is good beginnings now to take the time to finish. As you can see we seem to be approaching things in a similar manner. Good Luck with all you are doing and I will be looking forward to another opportunity to share your work in the future.
Excellent choice for your day Terrill. . . .TO CREATE! Focused intent coupled with a great subject (nature) intertwind with a talent like yours. . . . no ‘down’ market here!! This kind of the inspiration is a priceless comodity these days.
As to how I am weathering this financial (perfect) storm. . . . I’m treating it like an Aikedo move, allowing it to ‘make my day’. . . . as I step aside and allow ‘the blow’ of disappointment to pass through, I miss the crushing mighty force of dibilitating pain realized from resisting attack. This puts me at the ready to begin anew – this way I win – again.
Alison such wise words and “ready to begin anew” is always an option and often a brilliant choice. Go get’em Alison!!!!! Remaining inspiringly yours Terrill 🙂
I am not sure how I will weather the financial storm or our future…and I am being active in caring and planning, I am creatively taking care of the plantar fasciitis with acupuncture treatments and have now had one full day of zero pain and symptoms – my second treatment I thought was 45 minutes long….when I came to, I had been there 3 hours – the joy of pain freedom.
enjoyed your painting notes and pictures….the sun just broke through here – at 4:30 pm…
without pain I am quite hungry myself 🙂
Yes! to being pain free Patricia.
Dear readers I had the most amazing opportunity today. I was a lucky receiver of a free session with Patricia because I was one of the first 20 people to sign up for her Wise Ears newsletter. Yipppeeeeeee! Can this woman listen! I left with a beautiful collection of actions and additional clarity for the coming fall. Look out world, here I come 🙂 And almost as an aside, she said “did you see I did a post reviewing your book Leading Raspberry Jam Visions: Women’s Way?” Well I hadn’t. It is one of the tragedies of taking time off during the summer. I hadn’t been making my usual blog-reading-rounds. So if this is news to you as well, please drop over to Patricia’s post “Book Review:Leading Raspberry Jam Visions Women’s Way ~ Terrill Welch”
Laurie and Sam you are excused. I read your kind words on the post already. Thank you and thank you Patricia for shining a light on my women’s leadership and executive coaching work. Your support is most appreciated.
I do very little coaching and women’s leadership work these days and have tried unsuccessfully to close my business for the past two years. However, it is an area that still find inspiring and intriguing – thus the work keeps coming and I keep saying yes. To learn more about my by-donation approach you can visit my website Terrill Welch – A woman behind women.
Gorgeous paintings, as always, Terrill! I do so Love sharing in the sequential pics you post. The colours and vibrancy spin life in new forms so Lovely.
Sprout Q:
Resiliency. Trusting. Also the word buoyancy seems to be bouncing about. It is in togetherness, and continuing to enJoy the treasures life offers 🙂
Antonia good to see you! Yes buoyancy seems like a perfect word. When it comes to JOY you seem to be able to express it in capital letters. Your recent post “Trust” seems to be the most perfect wise advice to offer.