My first studio painting

Originally published at neevita.net. Pictures don't crosspost correctly - if the entry looks like it's blank or doesn't make sense, check the original neevita post to view.

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Behold! My painting for the Psychedelic Show at LRS, about 90% completed, taken on my cell phone.

This is my first painting done at the studio, since I was designated a shelf for my paints and given free reign on the spare panels a couple months ago. I knew once I got my damn paints over there things would start happening. It took about two days after finally getting my stuff in there for me to get started on something. It feels so good to be painting again.

From white gesso to this in one night, I started around 7, and ended at midnight. The thin wisps in the upper right are actually all over the painting, in an iridescent paint that is only visible like that at the correct angle. I have made a few notes after studing this picture and will change a few things to balance the flow, and blend some edges, but otherwise, it’s pretty much done, and I fucking LOVE it!

This is the biggest I’ve painted thus far in my adult artistic life - I don’t know the measurements, but the step stool and knobless door sitting next to it hopefully help with the perception of scale. I once painted a room-sized backdrop in middle school for some dance, or something, but it wasn’t anything like this - cartoony grave scene on paper. This is the real deal, and I am feeling the deep urge to go much bigger next time. I am somewhat giddy over the possibilities.

Throughout the night, I visited and held space with my dearest friends as I worked - another first for me - while the energy and bustle of rehearsal for my favorite LRS show (The Red Show) sprinkled my senses in the background. It was indicitive of the sense of pure magic I had felt not long ago, as I ventured into my new life of art, massage school, and being on my own.

I found it meaningful, humbling and strengthening to have been working along side my favorite painter while creating this, laughing and joking with one another, particularly as he finished and signed his first painting of me (a bold and strong rendition of http://neevita.net/?q=node/5024). His painting recently sold, before it was finished, just in the nick of time for the studio financially. It feels wonderful to have contributed to that, and to be enjoying a comfortable closeness with someone I admire to the extent that I admire Jeff.

I am currently icing my arm, and smiling very, very big. School is nearly over. My skills, style, and confidence are solidifying. My personal focus is on my art and my personal enrichment. Charlie is recovering better and faster than any of us anticipated. I am simply adoring my life.

Now to figure out that whole ’money’ thing, at some point..