Lovely piece. I've come to realize that surrendering is actually a brave and beautiful thing. And that beauty is abundant in every day life if you know where to look. That's why I named my publication Distracted by Pretty Things, because I always am. Thanks for sharing.
I rarely leave comments on social media, this might be my second time? I think your paintings are absolutely EXTRAORDINARY. I love love your artistic voice. I would dream of having some of these up in my house. So beautiful, so moving, just stunning. (Just like your writing is as well.) Sending love from the mama of a 3 year neurodivergent daughter ❤️
You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you. I had a really frustrating and disappointing weekend. This is such a nice comment to start my week with.
I truly mean every word. You are creating such eloquent beauty, and I was literally floored by your work. I know what it’s like being hard on oneself as an artist, but you are wildly talented in my eyes. And thank you for sharing: our weekend (well, this whole last month!) has been really tough/frustrating as well as far as our daughter. I’m feeling you and I see you.
Jacqueline, I love ALL of your paintings - "no just no" and "UGH" are both beautiful! I could only hope to make something half as lovely. I inherited a big box of art supplies from my artist stepmother and was going to give it all away (I'm not "artistic"), but a little voice in my brain has been encouraging me to try something. Maybe watercolor? Something simple - I'd love to make little drawings/paintings in a sketchbook. Where to start from nothing? YouTube? A class? How did you begin? Making is an antidote, of sorts, to these days of absolute rage/panic. I'd love to think I could just play alone in the silence of my house, but have no idea where to start. Keep it up, you're doing such good work (in so many ways). 💚
YouTube is full of great watercolor artists with lots of tips. I like to watch the videos without painting to see what kind of techniques (and supplies) people use, but I've also painted along with the instructor which has helped me learn too. I feel like watercolor is not easy or forgiving, but that might just be my experience. I got back into art during the pandemic by drawing Mehndi designs in a sketchbook. I used gel pens (so fun) on black paper. This removed the pressure to make something recognizable - I mostly did henna-style designs and filled the page. I gradually moved onto drawing "things" like trees, mushrooms, birds, etc. There's no wrong way to do this. Just sit down with your supplies and experiment.
"If I succeed at this, then all the terrible things happening in the world will be easier to bear. I want to make something beautiful, but all I’m getting is mud." I love the metaphors here for oil paint vs watercolor. From an activism perspective, there is definitely something to be said for putting your energy and talent into something that will give you the ability to fight back. water color seems to teach perseverance, resilience, and patience in the face of difficulty, and we're gonna need the fuck out of that for the next 4 years
I read half of your article and I want to finish it after work. I just popped in to say I love your work. Even though you aren’t happy w your skies, I love them! Love the Skeletree.
Art is a beautiful place to escape to. Absolutely fantastic!
You have some very lovely work and I enjoy your storytelling. I started learning watercolors during the pandemic, so I get your desire to escape the madness. Some of my first paintings were just blob upon blob of color until I had mud, then I got mad because it wasn’t black! Ha. Nowadays, I’m mostly doing digital because it’s so portable. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Oooh yes these paintings are so relaxing to look at. I've been wanting to get back into some kind of drawing/art after a very long break and your story has inspired me! I especially love the comment from your friend to put them all in a book with notes. It gives each painting meaning whether it's terrible, wonderful or something in between. Keep going.
My mother died in 2000. We were not particularly close, but she was a gifted visual artist and pianist. She told me once that watercolors were the most challenging medium, because the effect was not about what you painted, but how you used the white space.
Your watercolors and other art are as compelling as your words Jacquelinie. As a fellow bereaved mother, I lost my only son Andrew in July of 2017. So you lost your treasured Ana only four months before that. You have companioned me like a mirror for all these years. And I am honored to follow you into the terrain of Substack as a "Paid" subscriber. You have worked SO. Hard. And offered me SO. MUCH hope. Thank you forever....
Isabel...thank you. Your comment is so kind and sweet and validating. I'm crying right now. I'm honored you're staying with me here on Substack. It's hard to start over, but it feels like the right move for me.
What a lovely essay. I too long to try watercolors. They are so ephemeral and fleeting. And I hear your frustration with yourself. I do believe, that like your efforts to keep striving with your art, you will know when political striving is what's required.
Thanks, Patty. They’re putting a 9-star flag on government websites now. So guess it’s time to break out the comfortable walking shoes because I’m ready to fucking march
Lovely piece. I've come to realize that surrendering is actually a brave and beautiful thing. And that beauty is abundant in every day life if you know where to look. That's why I named my publication Distracted by Pretty Things, because I always am. Thanks for sharing.
I rarely leave comments on social media, this might be my second time? I think your paintings are absolutely EXTRAORDINARY. I love love your artistic voice. I would dream of having some of these up in my house. So beautiful, so moving, just stunning. (Just like your writing is as well.) Sending love from the mama of a 3 year neurodivergent daughter ❤️
You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you. I had a really frustrating and disappointing weekend. This is such a nice comment to start my week with.
I truly mean every word. You are creating such eloquent beauty, and I was literally floored by your work. I know what it’s like being hard on oneself as an artist, but you are wildly talented in my eyes. And thank you for sharing: our weekend (well, this whole last month!) has been really tough/frustrating as well as far as our daughter. I’m feeling you and I see you.
Sorry you're having a tough month. I hope things get easier 💜
Jacqueline, I love ALL of your paintings - "no just no" and "UGH" are both beautiful! I could only hope to make something half as lovely. I inherited a big box of art supplies from my artist stepmother and was going to give it all away (I'm not "artistic"), but a little voice in my brain has been encouraging me to try something. Maybe watercolor? Something simple - I'd love to make little drawings/paintings in a sketchbook. Where to start from nothing? YouTube? A class? How did you begin? Making is an antidote, of sorts, to these days of absolute rage/panic. I'd love to think I could just play alone in the silence of my house, but have no idea where to start. Keep it up, you're doing such good work (in so many ways). 💚
YouTube is full of great watercolor artists with lots of tips. I like to watch the videos without painting to see what kind of techniques (and supplies) people use, but I've also painted along with the instructor which has helped me learn too. I feel like watercolor is not easy or forgiving, but that might just be my experience. I got back into art during the pandemic by drawing Mehndi designs in a sketchbook. I used gel pens (so fun) on black paper. This removed the pressure to make something recognizable - I mostly did henna-style designs and filled the page. I gradually moved onto drawing "things" like trees, mushrooms, birds, etc. There's no wrong way to do this. Just sit down with your supplies and experiment.
"If I succeed at this, then all the terrible things happening in the world will be easier to bear. I want to make something beautiful, but all I’m getting is mud." I love the metaphors here for oil paint vs watercolor. From an activism perspective, there is definitely something to be said for putting your energy and talent into something that will give you the ability to fight back. water color seems to teach perseverance, resilience, and patience in the face of difficulty, and we're gonna need the fuck out of that for the next 4 years
Thank you. I love the idea that learning something hard teaches perseverance. Gonna gloat about that to Emily when I see her later. hahaha
I love this essay, seeing your paintings, and the idea that the worse things are, the more we need art.
After my daughter died, art and writing gave me a reason to go on.
Watercolor is hard! Kudos to you for working at it when it can be easy to give in to discouragement. Your paintings are lovely.
Thank you, Tina. Writing and art have helped me so much too. I also lost my daughter (to cancer nearly 8 years ago). Big hugs to you.
💛
I read half of your article and I want to finish it after work. I just popped in to say I love your work. Even though you aren’t happy w your skies, I love them! Love the Skeletree.
Art is a beautiful place to escape to. Absolutely fantastic!
Look forward to finishing the article🙏🌟🥰
Your images are lovely, Jackie. Keep at it! The best art evokes feelings and your paintings certainly do.
You have some very lovely work and I enjoy your storytelling. I started learning watercolors during the pandemic, so I get your desire to escape the madness. Some of my first paintings were just blob upon blob of color until I had mud, then I got mad because it wasn’t black! Ha. Nowadays, I’m mostly doing digital because it’s so portable. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Go on you! Keep going! Bring your visions to life ☺️ thank you for inspiring!
Oooh yes these paintings are so relaxing to look at. I've been wanting to get back into some kind of drawing/art after a very long break and your story has inspired me! I especially love the comment from your friend to put them all in a book with notes. It gives each painting meaning whether it's terrible, wonderful or something in between. Keep going.
My mother died in 2000. We were not particularly close, but she was a gifted visual artist and pianist. She told me once that watercolors were the most challenging medium, because the effect was not about what you painted, but how you used the white space.
Your watercolors and other art are as compelling as your words Jacquelinie. As a fellow bereaved mother, I lost my only son Andrew in July of 2017. So you lost your treasured Ana only four months before that. You have companioned me like a mirror for all these years. And I am honored to follow you into the terrain of Substack as a "Paid" subscriber. You have worked SO. Hard. And offered me SO. MUCH hope. Thank you forever....
Isabel...thank you. Your comment is so kind and sweet and validating. I'm crying right now. I'm honored you're staying with me here on Substack. It's hard to start over, but it feels like the right move for me.
I love your artwork too, I struggle with my art but keep plodding on trying new things.
Thank you 💜😊
What a lovely essay. I too long to try watercolors. They are so ephemeral and fleeting. And I hear your frustration with yourself. I do believe, that like your efforts to keep striving with your art, you will know when political striving is what's required.
Thanks, Patty. They’re putting a 9-star flag on government websites now. So guess it’s time to break out the comfortable walking shoes because I’m ready to fucking march
Keep painting
Oh, me too! To every last one of your dreams, frustrations and 'failures' in watercolour
And to the shit-show as it develops across the world...
Yeah. It's all terrible. The news coming out of this weekend is....totally nuts
Yeah, living in Wild West Wales, trying hard not to be overwhelmed by the news, in order to remain 'sane'.
I too have returned to watercolour. It's slow progress for me , as I can't follow instructions 🙄