The Imaginary Journey

[ Cold Mountains Colder Rivers, 5×5″ Watercolor – SOLD! ]

It’s been grey and cold the last few days in Montreal. Spring seems to be coming sooooo slowly. But of course, that is the cabin fever from Covid quarantine speaking.

We’ve been in isolation since some time in February – because – I don’t actually go out that much :) I’d been happily staying home painting most days, until suddenly, I had no choice!

The irony.

[ Walk the Alpine Meadows, 5×5″ Watercolor – SOLD! ]

So – as a kind of isolation-therapy, I been making a series of small watercolors.

These are only 5×5 inches. Some of the others are 4×8″ I was purposefully aiming for a gem-like quality. Perfect little semi-imaginary landscapes.

I do start with a found photo, then pretty much ignore it and paint what I want.

I’m finding, after a few years of my oil painted landscapes, I’ve developed a taste for a certain kind of view. A sweeping vista if you will. Even at this small scale, I want to feel the immensity of the landscape. To be able to look deep into the distance. To feel like the mind is voyaging, even when the body cannot.

[ Lush Valleys Laid Out Before You, 5×5″ Watercolor – SOLD! ]

I have recently taken a new interest in selling original art. You may have noticed :) I’m talking about my online Etsy shop all the time.

Partially this is practical – I’m not travelling and teaching any longer, and I’m not doing game design at the moment. (I’m so far out of the world of digital art now, I can’t see going back). So I’m exploring new ways I might make a living as an artist.

I’ve always painted for myself. Using art as a reason to get out into the world and fully experience it through painting. Not to mention, treating all art-making as a kind of sport. A kind of constant challenge to myself to get better, to improve my skills. It’s an incredibly rewarding past time, seeing yourself get better. I don’t play an instrument, but I expect it’s something like that for people who go from clumsy scales, to being able to actually enjoy listening to themselves play.

I’ve been spending more and more time in the art studio these last two years, living with my walls filled with my own landscapes. I’ve realized they really do change my mood for the better. I really do feel something when I can look into one of these magic windows and send my mind on a little flight of fancy.

I don’t think this is only because I painted them myself. I think anyone could have this experience of living with art, and finding it liberating – freeing us a bit from our daily worries.

So I’ve started to think about art in different terms. Almost like a kind of service. What I can do with brush and paint, that might bring real value into people’s lives.

[ Follow the Land up to the Sky, 4×8″ Watercolor – *Still Available :) Along with few others on the shop. ]

I don’t know if you feel the same about looking at art, or making paintings. Maybe you do?

Let me know if you’ve had a similar experience having a painting in your home.

And – I’ll leave you with saying – I’ve listed this series of work up on my Etsy.com shop. I hope you’ll stop by, and see if you’d like us to send one of these Imaginary Journeys your way!

~m

[ The Quiet Land Before the Dawn, 4×8″ Watercolor – SOLD! ]