A Gift

This was the first oil painting I made when I returned to drawing and painting on 2012.  I made it as a gift to my dear friend Sharon.  It's an oil painting on canvas, size 9 X 14.

I still remember when I painted this as a gift to my friend Sharon.  I was rusty from doing arts since I haven't done any since 2005.  I thought I lost the passion for art and the skills for it.  But now that I have time and am going matured, I regain the interest to draw and paint.

Looking at this work, I saw the freshness of my approach to painting.  Now, because of too much pressure in producing pieces that I need to exhibit, I lost that freshness.  I hope I'll be able to get that feeling of happiness in working on my art pieces.  From hereon, I will undertake my paintings as way of relieving why I get back to painting.  That is to enjoy the process of producing memories on canvas and sharing it with people close to me.

As an aspiring artist, I enjoined my students to find your reason why you wanted to draw or paint.  Painting and drawing may come as a hobby for you.  But if you really love doing it, go ahead and paint.  In painting, you need to be in a zone where you get absorbed working with paint.  Lose the fear and anxiety in putting paints on canvas.  If you feel anxious, stop working.  Find the drive in your heart.  Painting should be an enjoyable process for you, but not like a game with less value.  

I hope this help you in your exploration.  Painting can be a therapy when you find yourself in your works.  When you put a paint on canvas and produce something beautiful, you will get a feeling of satisfaction.  Your feeling towards your work is like they are your "babies".  When I began creating works, I refused to part with them.  But then I learned that I will be motivated to paint more if I part with them.  

I allow myself to depart from my works but only with the condition that my work goes to someone who would cherish them.  If a person enjoyed my work, I feel happy and contented.

How do you feel when you paint?  Can you share or give them freely to others?