” When words fail.. colors sing! “

Lately, I found myself engrossed in painting, after all, it’s one of my firsts love. I believe that there’s an artist in all of us, it’s an innate nature, but we all need time, a time to just sit around and do nothing.Time is so precious that  fractal moments in it creates priceless discoveries. I rediscover myself, going back to familiar surroundings, with colors and splashes. One of my friend commented : “I didn’t know that you were good in painting”. She means I finally take the guts to show it.You see, creativity takes courage.

Holding my paintbrush feels like visiting an old dear friend, there’s this familiar feeling, you feel the excitement,you can’t wait to dub your brush into the water and get into circular movements, the sound it makes against the glass, the creative spirit in me is bursting. I cringe when I splatter colors and rush to wash it off, my paintbrush dances gracefully as my emotions goes with my thoughts. I have conversations with my paintbrushes and they transmit my thoughts in colors. When life makes a shift and priorities changed, this part of me is kept well hidden, it’s just there,dormant, like a jewelry that I never wear.  I thought I’ve lost it but the seasons in my life paved way for its comeback, like spring after the long dark days of winter. I find myself once again when I lost myself.

I adore art in various forms but didn’t pursue any art studies. Drawing and arts has been in my life for so long that I can remember. During my childhood, I always love doing some creative arts and I always look forward to our Art subject. Nothing fancy, I thought its  just normal thing to do, a pastime maybe, but hey, life seems to be simpler back then. We don’t have the technology to amuse us, so we need to use whatever resources we have. I only have 1 box of Crayola (crayons), a prime staple in any grade school kid. My watercolor palette was a 2-row with just the basic colors and it can go for years. I craved for those “flashy” ones I’ve seen in the shop but it was expensive. Those time I haven’t heard of cray pastels, oil & acrylic paints or even a cold-pressed papers. I just draw in a normal bond paper.My favorite subjects were abstracts, nature, illustrations of people. I love the faces, the eyes, and the emotions in it.

Coincidentally that  my days back then in Kuwait revolves colors as well. My previous work deals with painting, coating & varnishes every single day . I never imagined that there is such a thing as RAL standard ( Reichs-Ausschuss für Lieferbedingungen) and that I could be so efficient in decoding RAL colors and shades from a given sample. I mixed colors and with the help of chemistry, I create a unique design for powder coating, that is, for architectural finishes.My drawer is filled with different shade panels, color palettes and I am the first person to ask for color specifications. Colors plays an important role in creating something useful, in creating something beautiful. But then, I think of it as work. And when you work, it’s a reality that you are compensated in what you do. It’s a perk if you enjoy it, which not all people have the privilege.

I believe that doing arts is like bridging your new joy. It can change your emotions, even boost your confidence. It silences your worries and deepen your understanding of yourself. Who would thought that a yellow paint can make sunshine and daffodils? or that red hues can manifest the emotions of roses? It transmits happiness.

If you know that you have painting as your desire, you need to do it. Squeeze time to make it real and get your resources be handy. Because you owe it to yourself and not for the sake of others.When I see the changes in my life as a woman, wife and a mother, this part of me was overlooked and paid little attention.

When I become a parent, and responsibilities toll on me heavily, my days were consumed of routines. Living as an expat overwhelmed  me of the change of surroundings, the new places that I have discovered through traveling. The moments of stillness of just sitting creating an artwork seemed like a luxury that I cannot afford on a daily basis, especially when I have a super active toddler to chase. Colors, brushes and pencils have become my tools for stimulation, my lifesavers when all others fail to entertain the child.

For me, my painting, my paintbrushes are like medicine. A time for me to surrender myself and let the colors decide my moods. It heals, it creates something magical, an escape from the orderly chaos that surrounds myself. I still need to learn so much. There are so many options. Painting nowadays is my perspective of ordinary things. My own reality.

Have you ever done something that makes you feel alive again?

A little inspiration to ignite your creativity in simple ways.

It’s Wednesday  already and we’re halfway through the week. Have a lovely day my friends!