dotty seiter: now playing diary of an artist at work

“I Didn’t Love That”

After a several-weeks hiatus, I returned to one of the light-background chaos layers I created as part of my playing with Michelle Nyberg’s Creative Painting Techniques class. I made four such starts, had brought one to completion, and then got stuck. Hence the hiatus.

My studio time with this current piece was a start-and-stop undertaking from beginning to end, and by beginning I mean I was already feeling stuck before I even started.

What got me going and kept me going was Michelle’s calm message in one of her demonstration lessons. With relaxed equanimity, she said:

… I should have left it there but I went further and I tried drips as well. I didn’t love that. But it’s OK; it’s good to experiment and follow your curiosity. Sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn’t. If it doesn’t, you can just cover it up.

As I worked this piece, I said countless times, Nope, don’t love that. Just as often, I rallied with, That’s OK; it’s good to experiment and follow my curiosity.

Thank you, Michelle!

There’s Nothing to Do but Let the Now Be What It Is
4 x 5.5″; acrylic and oil pastel on watercolor paper
avian & botanical
2024
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Dotty Seiter

11 responses to ““I Didn’t Love That””

  1. Joyful Puttering Avatar
    Joyful Puttering

    Following your curiosity is always the best path….and I like where you landed on this one. It reminds me of the dusky light I love so much with the mourning doves poking around the yard.

    The change in the seasons always pull me in out into nature…and spring is a big one for me. But we wiggle our way back into our art don’t we….with little drips and starts and stops.

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    1. Dotty Seiter Avatar
      Dotty Seiter

      MaryAnn, thanks for your lovely, thoughtful comments. Love that this piece reminds you of mourning doves poking around the yard in dusky light.

      I’m very much in stop-and-start mode. Not quite at peace in that mode at the moment.

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  2. Simone Avatar
    Simone

    That’s wonderful advice: it’s always good to experiment!

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    1. Dotty Seiter Avatar
      Dotty Seiter

      I think *I* am the ongoing experiment!

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      1. Simone Avatar
        Simone

        hahahaha!

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  3. imajenationgmailcom Avatar
    imajenationgmailcom

    this piece is a great lesson for me… I so often get to the stuck place and then just drag out the gesso. Next time I will keep playing! Love the softness of the bird – exquisite!

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    1. Dotty Seiter Avatar
      Dotty Seiter

      Lola! Have you returned from being away? Thanks for your feedback. This piece is a great lesson for me also—I remain surprised by how much it delights me, when for the span of most of its creation I had my knickers in a twist.

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      1. imajenationgmailcom Avatar
        imajenationgmailcom

        we are just returned and still transitioning back to everyday wonderment. It will take a few days! And YAAAAASSSSSS “knickers in a twist” is just what I was experiencing before we left!

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  4. Dotty Seiter Avatar
    Dotty Seiter

    I so identify with needing a few days to transition back, and I LOVE your referring to that to which you are transitioning as EVERYDAY WONDERMENT. yes yes yes!

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  5. Sheila Marie Delgado Avatar
    Sheila Marie Delgado

    Bravo! Thanks for this awesome reminder, Dotty. Love it! 🙂

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    1. Dotty Seiter Avatar
      Dotty Seiter

      You’re welcome, Sheila! I’m grateful whenever I remember to forgo caution in favor of experimenting and following my curiosity!

      Liked by 1 person

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My Story

In 2014, I grab an unexpected opportunity to paint.

To make art.

I get hooked.

In 2015 I start a blog—a diary of my life as an artist.

I post my paintings and their stories. The good, the bad, the ugly.

My compass points: bust through fear, be playful, get messy, trust my gut.

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