- Image via Wikipedia
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Following is the Power of Art story, written by Ruth Read and some of her beautiful tropical flower paintings.
When I first started to paint I was asked to paint a client’s dog. This was a gorgeous dog that I saw at least once a week.
I did not have any experience painting animals so I went to an art group that had a couple of teachers. I took along a book written by an artist. The book was about “how to paint wildlife” and laid out the paints to use and everything. Well, I took this book with me and told the teacher I want to paint like this and I want to paint this dog.
- Tropical flower paintings by Ruth Read – Maui
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I got as far as trying to mix the paint. The instructions said to mix a little of this color, mix a little of that color, but I was expecting exact measurements, like you would in a cooking class. So one of the wonderful teachers explained how to mix paint step by step. Once I learned that, I was off and running.
I painted the dog and sent an e-mail with an attached photo of the painting. I included instructions where she could go see it in private.
Tropical flower paintings by Ruth Read – Spiderflower
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After the client bought the painting she told me that when she saw the e-mail she was OK with it. She liked the painting. But when she saw the actual painting in front of her she cried. She said she felt the dog was there. Maybe it is because I knew this dog really well, I don’t know. I do know that it made me very happy to see the reaction that my painting caused in her.
Since then, I have noticed the same reaction from many of my clients. Their first reaction is they say they can feel the presence of their pet. I know that if I know the pet well, it feels like the pet is with me when I paint it.
Tropical flower paintings by Ruth Read – Waterlily
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I prefer to paint a pet that I can spend a little time with. Somehow it helps to put the emotion into the painting.
If there is a stressful event around me I notice that I can stop all that and go to my art. When I paint it takes me to another place and all that stress disappears.
When I come back in to the real world, all the stress seems to have disappeared. Whatever was causing the stress seems to not matter as much anymore. Sometimes the problem is just gone.
I don’t know how creating art does that to me, but it does.
Thank you for having a power of art category post to discuss these things.
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Wow that was a really deep story. I don’t know what to say. It just goes to show you how powerful art really is, doesn’t it? Thank you for sharing.
it is really touching story.the way of thinking is really awesome.i like the story too much.i just love the theme as it is different from others.i love to share it with my friends
What a wonderful example of the power that art has, in both its creation and its culmination. I know from past experience that working on a painting does have the power to take me into another world. I also know that when I presented my finished painting to my husband, it took him back to the place and time that my painting represented. Thanks for inspiring me to get back to creating more artworks.
To be frank it does’nt look like art at all, it looks real. Great art wok. I have seen plenty of art work but this one is really unique. It is really a treat to our eyes.
These art works are really fantastic and very creative. Every art has a story in it. This is a treat to watch. I really enjoyed watching these great art stuffs.
Greatings, Not sure that this is true:), but thanks for a post.
Thank you
Great story, Ruth. I can relate to feeling connected when I paint as well. I felt connected to your lovely floral art. I love Hawaii, and I think that their plants are the most beautiful that I have ever seen…and so gigantic! It is a wonderful feeling when we create art that is so meaningful to others, and I truly understand what you mean when you say art is your haven. It definitely is mine. I know it is right for me since I am totally one with my work. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for creating a venue for these stories.
It is the best way I have seen someone expressing his/her thoughts. Really, you are an artist. For a while I was thinking that someone is actually narrating me the whole story. really! spellbounding.
Art, like music, is a form of communication; using a visual vocabulary of shape and color, the fundamental grammar of art is, again like music, emotional, evocative rather than explicit. It bypasses both the analytical filter if the rational mind, and the “white noise’ of the large and small stresses and annoyances of daily life, to directly play the fundamental notes of the heart. In that immediacy lies its power.
Beautiful story and very “inbrightening”……..
Ruth,
I had already noticed that your art seemed to have a spiritual “connection” associated with it. You are very fortunate to have your talent and that it is connected to your spirituality in the way that it is. Being able to center you like it does and to touch so many others in such a positive way is a wonderful gift! You are very blessed. This connection that you have seems to also enable others to become more connected. It is so nice that you are able to facilitate that!
Your beauty shines through.
Wonderful and inspired, thats how I feel…….j
A truly inspiring story.I really loved reading it.Your talent can be seen from your marvelous art pieces.Your story has motivated me to think from your perspective so that I too can bring emotion into my paintings.
very interesting read. i like the concept of interaction with a subject before painting it, to get a feel. also very beautiful paintings, i love the water lilly painting.
Thank you for your comments. I did not realize that I touched so many people in this way. My family of course has told me and a few friends; however, to hear this much from strangers makes me realize how we are so connected by emotion in a painting. I have a new deeper respect for art and I have a new deeper feeling about my own paintings. I just had to go look at some of the paintings to make sure you were talking about them. And yes, I still get that emotional feeling just looking at them.
Thank you for your comments, they really made my day. I love to read them. We cannot take art for granted.
Good stuff, thanks for posting this article. This is a solid reasouce with some useful information. I’ll put this in my bookmarks = ).