In the Studio to Think, Maybe Paint

Unable to move forward lately, I decided to just sit at my desk and easel and think.

How hard could it be to beat Resistance, I thought to myself as I sat in the studio.

It’s been very difficult. Life is going to happen, no matter what. Other people go to a job every day. My job is to paint, so why don’t I do it, everyday like working people? If I was my boss, I’d have fired me by now.

Conte crayon sketch of the Elgin Marbles bas relief
Conte crayon sketch of the Elgin Marbles bas relief

Meanwhile, I was sitting at the desk looking at my brushes, paints, and papers strewn about. I thought about all the things I haven’t been doing, and then I went over all the work I have already finished, trying to turn negative into positive.

The quiet in the space was very satisfying. I looked at my stuff and daydreamed a little. The last painting I was working on sat on the easel unfinished nearby and I just noticed it there.

Sunny Sunflower ©2014Dora Sislian Themelis, 18x24 Watercolor, Arches paper
Sunny Sunflower ©2014Dora Sislian Themelis, 18×24 Watercolor, Arches paper

Then I leafed through a pastel pad I’ve used and found a couple of drawings in conte crayon in it.

Nice drawings, I thought.

A few moments passed when I found myself filling a small cup with water and adding color to the watercolor painting I haven’t touched for a couple of months. Before I could really grasp what I was doing, I finished the work and signed it.

Done!

Maybe that’s how work has to happen for the time being?