It appears that yesterday’s sleet and snow storm has finally abated. It created quite a mess with an early morning ice shower that virtually shut down the surrounding area. It was bad enough that my better-half wasn’t able to get to work. Of course, you know what that means, right!  A whole day of quality time with me.

For me it was a day of writing, movies, sketching, and reading.  Doing those activities allows me to escape all the dreariness of the day and to get lost in my own head for a few hours. That kind of total focus is a real gift and I’ve always appreciated having the ability. I can actually shut everything out completely which can be a real blessing most of the time.  Sometimes not so much.

My better-half just asked me what I’d be doing today.  How can I explain that to her?  I guess I’ll give it a try so here goes . . . .

Honey, I’m in the process of creating a painting of sorts and the first step for me is to create it first in my head before even picking up a brush or touching a canvas.  I can visualize the entire project as it will appear when completed and then I can begin to slowly dismantle it.  I break the images into layers of color and perspective to determine the order in which they must be addressed.  It sounds a lot more complicated than it actually is.

This process takes a different length of time depending on the complexity of the subject matter.  I enjoy completing these things in my head almost as much as actually doing them on canvas or paper.  It sounds a little strange but I don’t know any other way to get the results I want. 

There are times when you think I’m ignoring or being rude to you but I’m really not. I’m so far into visualizing a project I just can’t take any time out to really listen to you. I’m afraid of losing my momentary focus and be forced to start from scratch once again. This is the way I’ve been doing creative things since I was old enough to remember and don’t see it changing any time soon.

With all of that being said, that’s what I’ll being doing for a few hours today. I have the completed image in my head, the color blocking determined, and I’m only days away from actually starting the necessary pencil sketching.  I’m going to try something new this time that is definitely outside my comfort zone and it’s will be a cross between Salvatore Dali with just a hint of Pablo Picasso.  It’s going to be way outside my comfort level and will be fun to see what the final result will be.

There you go darling . . . that’s some of what I’ll be doing today as I sit quietly next to you in the living room. Don’t take it as a personal slight, I’m not ignoring you . . . it’s just me being mentally creative. 

Who loves you baby?