The Creative Life - Barbara Trovillo

  Do you "feel heard"? To be heard is one of the most basic of human needs. What does it mean, "to be heard"? It means to feel like someone sees you, really sees you, Understands who you really are and what is important to you.   Many of us who grew up in homes where "children were to be seen and not heard" had a tough go of it in the "being heard" department. If we are fortunate, there is a teacher or a neighbor or a grandparent who takes the time to listen and encourage us in the formation of our self concept. [...]

  “A variation of edges, along with the proper value, allows the artist to draw attention to or away from different areas of the painting” ~ Kenn Backhaus, American Painter These days as I paint, I think a lot about edges.      As an early painter, I painted everything as I saw it. I put in all the edges as I replicated what was before me. Now, as an impressionist painter, I paint loosely, making suggestions, leaving room for the imagination.   Varying the edges in a painting is a way to move the viewer's eye through the work. Sharp edges demand attention. Hard edges are when you [...]

This could just as easily been called:  Allowing for Growth.   While out walking this morning, I came upon an interesting scene. I live in the mountains of central Virginia in a very rural area. I have walked this same country road for decades off and on. It is always pretty, and always different in some way, changing with the seasons.     The day was cold and windy with a very blue sky. There was lots of sunshine but also very heavy clouds. Here is the scene I chose.                                     [...]

I committed years ago to a daily painting practice. Showing up is half the battle. As in anything, improvement comes with doing.    Last year was a tough one for us. I continued to paint but had so much else pulling at me, I had a hard time focusing enough to actually do my best work. I felt rushed all the time, aware of things and people needing my attention. I did not produce as much work as normal and a few of those paintings I did finish, left me dissatisfied. Occasionally, I wondered if I had lost my ability to paint.    Now that [...]