Mammoth sized paintings to tiny postage stamp creations.
Mountains to molehills.
Its a gathering. Of art ideas.
Paint Large or Small
Painting in both modes has helped shape me.
It has been an excellent tool for ‘broadening’ my art journey.
It can work, for you too.
Somedays I feel like a Mountain, other days I need a lovely and lively micro mini.
I can reshape ‘the mountain’ into a molehill.
1. Minimize the mountain.
2. Flatten the mountain out! Look at it from above. From a fresh, new viewpoint.
3. Focus on only one target area of the mountain; simplify and disregard all else.
As the artist
And I can also, turn that tiny little miniature molehill into a difficult, mammoth work of time and effort.
Filled with Blood, sweat and tears. Or keep it Light, nice and easy. If, that is… what I wished to do.
As the artist, as the creator of the artwork….. I can do what I choose, what I please.
There are times, when we Need a mountain to paint; and Times when we need a micro mini to paint.
In Miniature…….
We may not stop to ask ourselves, “Why?” “What purpose is being served?”
But, there is, a purpose….. so I have discovered.
Art’s Many Benefits!
Art is and can be, of such great value in so many regards:
Art can be a meditative and calming endeavor.
Sweeping away distractions and letting go the noise.
To just be In The Moment. A creative moment.
Art can be physical.
It can be really, vigorous physical activity.
I often stand and move. My whole body is ‘engaged’ and active. I can get quite a workout with my art. Thats not even considering if I go out for plein air, as does Margaret. (yubagold.wordpress.com)
Art is a Thinking activity.
I’m literally exhausted from all the mental activity at the end of my painting sessions. The mind is making hundreds of micro decisions every moment. Unseen, unconscious. You wouldn’t think ‘painting’ would be so tiring!
Art shows us how to Identify a Problem.
Then, we Plan the required steps and processes.
And we finish by, Implementing these to a satisfactory resolution.
This …… is a transferable skill to life’s other areas.
Do art long enough and these habits, become automatic.
Art shows us how to take a Mountain and reshape it. Into a molehill.
Lovely isn’t it?!
debi riley 
These are so delicate and beautiful, Debi. The first one, of the waterfall, reminded me of a big brown turtle coming from the left and then I scrolled down and saw the water underneath. And the irises, the blue ones and the ones in the vase, are just so gentle and calming. Nicely done.
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hi Anneli, thank you! – you see the most marvellous things 🙂 the waterfall in the hills, was a large big sheet painting and I wanted it …. simplified. It is a challenge to take the complex and break it down. But So Fun! like a puzzle 🙂
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I just realized the ones in the vase aren’t irises, but the picture is beautiful whatever they are (lilies?). I’ve always like the watercolour and ink combination.It may be a challenge to simplify a painting but sometimes something new appears instead as you refocus.
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thank you! the flowers kind of painted themselves, Anneli. there was no still life in front of me!
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Beautiful paintings and I love how you illustrate that going mini to big is exploring as an artist and stretching those muscles. To see the big and small picture, to wiggle out creativity….I am inspired to try this out, for different views, sizes and perspectives. Thank you Creative One! 🙂
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LOL Miss M, you always – make me smile with your thoughts, and special names for me, hahaha! Thank You! you are wonderful 🙂
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And so are you! 😉 ❤
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thank you, thats Love-ly !! 🙂
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What a beautiful collection you have painted! Thank you for the lesson! I’ll have to try more sizes.
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hi Deborah, thank you! I
am glad you enjoyed this post and the info! I think, you may really enjoy the fun challenge of going large one week, and micro the next 🙂 cheers, Debi
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HSW! So much beauty and inspiration.
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thanks Jodi, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I included the sizes on all these so everyone would be able to know which were the miniatures vs the big ones. Each Term, students will do a massive art work as well as a small one. …. stops us from getting into a rut.
With both new challenges, its scary I think for them – at first. But, its a super, great rounding out, art technique.
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Agree painting is tiring and big and small are equally important and have such different outcomes. Love the mountain one!
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thank you Catherine! 🙂 they both stretch muscles, just different ones! lol cheers, Debi
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I love this! They are all beautiful, but my favorite is Color on the Mountain. Let the paint brush dance!
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thank you Nico! that one, you like best was a real challenge. It took me ages to get it “Resolved”! So, I’m glad I was persistent with it and you like it 🙂 PC Debi
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Always a treat to visit Debi. So happy to read your excitement and rewards from teaching; couldn’t agree more. And of course those Minis are just gems. Warmest wishes for the holiday season.
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Thank you Andrew!
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