STORMY DAY 24×12 — Jenn Williamson

I took an amazing workshop this past weekend with Suzanne Northcott. One of the highlights for me included a discussion about our paintings achieving ‘absolute beauty’. This particular painting is my favourite from the weekend. Normally I don’t create paintings at workshops that I would share on my website…..they are usually ones that I bring back to my studio and re-configure (ie, re-prime & start over).

The purpose of doing a workshop (for me, at least), is to move beyond my comfort zone….try new things that I can then bring back to the studio and play around with, until they either become part of my personal expression, or they get tossed aside. What was so wonderful about this weekend for me was the solidification of so many stirrings I have had in the past year. It’s been a year of searching, exploring, digging deep……being more focused on the big picture of creating genuine works that come from a deep place, rather than making pretty paintings. I haven’t shared a lot of the pieces I’ve created – not because I don’t love them, but because I haven’t felt the time was right. Many of them will be pieces I continue to work on in the months ahead, as I have realized what the next step will be.

This is very exciting for me! In the last month I have felt like the plane is landing – slowly gliding down to the runway in a silent & controlled manner. I see the tarmak now – the fog has lifted – I can trust my ability to land the plane. I know it might sound very out there, and a lot of what I have been processing this past year is out there (or rather, it is IN there). IN there in a precious & tender way. It’s the stuff that makes my work genuine & my commitment is to create the best work I can at every stage of my journey.

Thank you for sharing in this journey with me. I trust that as absolute beauty unfolds in my studio, it will touch the hearts of those who are meant to receive it.