Early Art. Pencil Drawings. Oil Painting. New Beginnings.

She wanted to be:
True to her 'Creative Muse.'
As she continued to feel her heart's calling:
Through years of collage and mixed media: Sculpture and assemblage:
She longed to draw and paint again. Feel the Leonardo within:
The Georgia. The Burnum Burnum. The Charlotte.
To be open to receive all their support.
Fears that had held her tight:
Transparent in the light.
She knew the time
Had come.
~Ally.

'Realism' in my Art.

I've worked with detail in my artwork for just about all my 'adult art life.' Although, strangely enough, I gravitate to more abstract concepts and applications in the art-making of other creatives: This has always presented me with quite a challenge and inner conflict.

But through my work with photography and digital art, collage, assemblage and ephemeral art, and more recently eco curios and mixed media, I'm slowly working towards becoming a little 'bolder in my own art-making.'

Examples of some of my Steemit articles illustrating these different modalities of my artwork are at the end of this article.

Early Drawings.

As I've been de-cluttering my studio, I came across some drawings that were originally intended as a series of single camellias against different dreamscape backgrounds.

Most of the work produced at this time was either sold or given away and lamentably, all my photographic records of them are rather dull and lack clarity.

Fortunately, because these camellia drawings were still 'works in process' I still have them. And so now, as I continue, and as part of my preparation to draw and paint once again, I'd like to share some of them with you.

These drawing were all produced in coloured pencil directly from life. That is they were not replications of photographs.

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We don't see things as they are,
We see them as we are.
~ Anaïs Nin.

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What medium?

In feeling a very strong compulsion to draw and paint again, I hardly know where to start: What medium to work with first? When I love pencil and charcoal, pastels, watercolour and inks, acrylics and oils all equally.

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And the day came:
When the risk to remain tight in a bud:
Was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
~ Anaïs Nin.

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Comparing.

I see such a lot of drawing and painting by other creatives that contain the freedom of expression, colours and textures, techniques and styles that I absolutely love.

In an age when we are able to see so much diverse artwork ~ Not just by the artists who eventually find a place in the institutional art galleries, but by anyone who cares to set up their own website or blog or suitable Social Media account ~ It's difficult not to compare what we do ourselves to the work of others.

Sadly, at times I've fallen victim to this which has often made me feel that my own drawing and painting 'style' has been somewhat stilted.

And I ask myself: How often do we need to remind ourselves that we all have a unique Creative Muse, before I will start to believe that all I have to do is listen to her 'whispers' and I will find my own unique direction in everything I do ~ Including my artwork.

So right now, I'm more aware than ever that my 'real' style is still to emerge from 'something else' that is still so totally unknown to me. And won't be known until I actually start.

In another article, I'd like to share some of the artist's work that I've been impressed by, studied and learned from.

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What can I do with my happiness?
I want to kneel as it falls over me like rain:
Gather it up with lace and silk, and press it over myself again.
~ Anaïs Nin.

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A never-ending circle.

I have felt for many years now that working in a freer and more painterly way will have the desired effect of freeing me up internally ~ And that out of the 'melting pot' of both outer and inner freedom, my unique and personal way of painting will be born.

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Life is a process of becoming:
A combination of states we have to go through.
Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state: And remain in it.
~ Anaïs Nin.

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Online Art Classes.

To help with this process, this borderline poverty-stricken artist had just taken a huge act of faith and enrolled in Laura Horn's Online Art Classes on Watercolour, Mixed Media and Acrylic Painting.

I first saw information about Laura and her classes at Art is Magic Online

I looked at all the available courses at Art is Magic and the two courses that really stood out for me were:

• Boldness with Emma Petitt.
  and
• Sacred Arts Workshops

Laura Horn was one of my favourite artists of the 27 artists in Art is Magic's Make Create Express Workshop. Initially this workshop was free in July. Unfortunately, I didn't know it was on at the time, but I've been told that there will be another one in 2020.

For the last month or so, I've been watching some of Laura's short videos that she shares on IG, that preview her classes, and have been thinking of starting with just one of them ~ But which one?

The final nudge was Laura's Black Friday incredibly tempting discount on a Bundle of all 9 classes.

At 15 minutes before the deadline, I was talking it through with a friend and it was so plain to see that everything in me was saying 'GO FOR IT.' And then as soon as I did, I KNEW beyond any doubt that it had been the right thing to do.

And now I have a much clearer idea of the order I will begin with:

• Watercolour
• Mixed Media
• Acrylic Painting

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It is the function of art to renew our perception.
What we are familiar with we cease to see.
The artist shakes up the familiar scene:
And we see a new meaning in it.
~ Anaïs Nin.

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Priorities.

Now all I have to do is finish clearing and cleaning my studio: Physically and energetically: I do a little every day. As well as finishing some of my mixed media pieces and eco curios wands ~ And writing this article.

It's been so tempting to start watching the videos now. But the de-clutter has to be the priority. And then I'll be able to set specific time aside to watch and work alongside Laura's videos ~ Without those thoughts that would niggle.

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Dreams pass into the reality of action.
From the actions stems the dream again:
And this interdependence produces:
The highest form of living.
~ Anaïs Nin.

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Something VERY magical has also happened this week.

About a week ago I started sorting out my old brushes. It was obvious to me that I needed new brushes, as they all looked so forlorn and felt lackluster.

Every week or so I've been going to an art store to buy just a few relatively low-cost items: Drawing paper, pens and ink (Intended for Inktober usage! Maybe next year?) Curiously, every time I was in the store, I was drawn to looking at the brushes ~ And the price tags which were way beyond my budget.

Then a few weeks ago, I was told that the next time I was there I could claim a $25 discount. So a few days ago I went to the store with the sole purpose of buying a watercolour brush, at a reduced cost.

After I selected my brush, which took almost an hour ~ A small pale yellow tin nearby caught my attention. The label read: The Masters BRUSH CLEANER and PRESERVER. But would it restore my brushes?

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Destiny can be diverted:
One does not have to remain in bondage
To the first wax imprint made on childhood sensibilities.
Once the deforming mirror has been smashed, there is a possibility of wholeness.
~ Anaïs Nin.

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Long story short.

I cleaned and reconditioned 73 brushes that are now soft and pliable and ready for use.

4 Fan brushes.
17 Sumi-e brushes.
17 Watercolour brushes.
35 Acrylic and oil brushes.

While many of the handles are old and battered, the bristles are (almost) like new.

I roughly estimated that it would cost well over $2,000 to replace these brushes with new brushes. All of a sudden I feel VERY well off and VERY grateful.

But the most surprising thing of all: Seeing them all lined up and now in their separate jars ~ I sense that energetically my brushes have all been totally transformed and are now really ready to be painted with.

Pity I didn't think to take a 'before' photograph so you could see the difference, but these are my newly reconditioned brushes. Sumi-e brushes on the far right and the watercolour brushes are in front of them.

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How well I know with what burning intensity you live.
You have experienced many lives already:
Full rich lives: From birth to death.
You just have to have these:
Rest periods in between.
~ Anaïs Nin.

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Oil painting.

And now while I continue to prepare for the birthing of some totally NEW paintings, I'll share a part of another early artwork: My first face, painted in oils, where I was trying to break free of the restrictions of 'realism.'

The face is actually quite small: Measuring 8 cms in length.

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One is not in bondage to the past:
Which has shaped our feelings, to race, inheritance, background.
All this can be altered if we have the courage to examine how it formed us.
We can alter the chemistry provided we have the courage to dissect the elements.
~ Anaïs Nin.

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Some examples of the different modalities of my artwork, shared at Steemit.

• Drawing: The Journey.
• Silk Painting: Living in Bliss in the Hinterland.
• Collage: Dolphin Magic.
• Assemblage: The Mystic Gateway Series
• Ephemeral art: Courage to express her Truth
• Eco curios: Handmade Magical Wand.
• Mixed media: Rainbow Protection.
• Photography: MagicalMoments along the Carroll Creek Track
• Digital Art: Surfs Up. Boomerang Beach.

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New Instagram Accounts.

I've just set up an Instagram Account, designated for my drawings. You can see it HERE.

I also have an Instagram Account for my paintings: HERE and mixed media: HERE.

I won't be following or connecting with anyone at these accounts. They are mainly so that my drawings, paintings and mixed media works, including the wands and poles can be seen together in one place.

My primary Instagram Account is HERE.

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A heart that is holding infinite possibilities.
A creative who is learning to trust the mystery of what will be.
A spirit that is willing to fly into new creative realms and share the journey. ~Ally.

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Art and Photography: ©Alison Lee Cousland.
SONY Mark2 A7.

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Posted from Earth ♥︎ Sand ♥︎ Water ♥︎ Ice with SteemPress : http://www.allyinspirit.info/2019/12/04/early-art-pencil-drawings-oil-painting-new-beginnings/

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