Imagination and Creativity

by Beth Cole

These long days of summer give so much opportunity. Road trips. Sunsets on the deck. Gathering and laughing. More painting time, brushes up and ready as the sun rises.

Happily, my recent days have been filled with all of these lovely things. As I was road tripping to see my sister a few weeks ago, I listened to a wonderful podcast interview with Charlie Peacock (writer, musician, producer). He spoke about imagination and creativity - how imagination leads to making something better than good, how it is the runway to making something great.

Getting ready for a show is not for the faint of heart! Sheesh! If I wore a Fitbit it would show many miles and stories climbed! Ha!. But….the finish line is in sight and I am almost ready.

I am excited to tell you about the shows and extend to you a warm welcome!

When I painted this painting a year ago, I was very happy with the way it turned out and the feel of it. I had so many compliments on it as well. It showed about every place I could think of.

As summer shows approached this year, I still had it. I have a nice frame for it but I didn’t want to drag it around for round two. So. A makeover was in order.

I’m thrilled to be included in the 2019 Nebraska Biennial at Gallery 1516 in Omaha with my work, “Fallow,” Oil on Linen, 18 x 24. The public opening is Friday, May 24th from 6:30 to 9:00.

So who else likes attending face-to-face art workshops, raise your hand. Oh good, glad I’m not alone.

Real time art workshops are my favorite. I love being in the same room with the instructor, watching yummy demos, making new friends, and trying out new techniques in paint. I love workshops so much I could go to one every month. But a couple of not so smallish things stop me….can you say moolah….and, you guessed it, time.

Let’s imagine you are working on a new painting you are very excited about. You’ve done everything you can to prepare – i.e. editing your photo reference, doing a value thumbnail, maybe even a color study to choose your color palette. You have blocked everything in. You stand back to take a look, and……blah….yuck…..nothing. It is just not working! It is not what you imagined. You don’t even like it. Now what?

Since January I have been pushing paint to create a group of paintings to show at the spring show of Antique Week near Round Top, Texas. I was invited to display my work by the very kind and talented owner of Loblolly Goods, Marc Elson.