Lanterns and Cherries: The Art of Embracing Layers

Creating art is much like peeling an onion—each layer reveals something new and, sometimes, it brings a tear to your eye. (Haha, I have jokes) My recent artistic endeavor, attempting a couple of alla prima paintings, a lantern, and a bowl of cherries, taught me that sometimes, it's okay to take the scenic route through the creative process of learning. In this case, my theoretical and unactualized tears would have been tears of frustration rather than of joy or aww. I did TRY to do these alla prima, which means basically that the painting is finished in one try, wet into wet technique. However, I couldn't seem to stop adding paint over and over until I was satisfied enough to walk away. This took over a week each painting. Was I actually satisfied when I walked away? No. I was just satisfied enough to remember something that I first heard from my cousin who was quoting (my current favorite artist), Leonardo da Vinci, "Art is never finished, only abandoned."

At the end of my experiments though, I must admit, I am not upset that I don't think alla prima is for me. I will forever be incredibly impressed by those who can do this style. To be able to lay down one layer and be able to walk away from a stunning painting without revision and layers. It is truly a feat that I am not yet privy to and takes an incredible amount of talent. I realized that embracing my need for layers isn't a flaw though, we all create art in different ways and there are some really cool effects when you layer your paints that you just can not get with a singular layer. Maybe I'm little like an onion myself in that regard as well, to mirror the sentiment of the incredible Shrek (Haha). To crave the complexity of life to be layered like an onion is such a lovely metaphor. Sometimes those layers are amazing like sweet onions that have been cooked into a carmelized delicacy, and other times those layers are smelly and hurt you and make you cry uncontrollably. But it is all the same, I love them all, every single layer. Not only in paint, but also in a person's personality, in the flavors within the food I eat, and in a good mystery novel.

I am on a mission of artistic self-discovery, looking for my painting style and working problems until I am satisfied with what I see. I am looking for myself somehow in every piece of art I make, occasionally those images are beautiful, and invoke feelings, and other times they are imperfect with the colors slightly off or misshapen. All of which can be a reflection of life and its occasionally beautiful or ugly layers. Through adding layers, fixing, and sometimes outright doodling over previous mistakes, I am discovering that embracing my failures in both art and in life is a powerful way to uncover something beautiful. Join me as I embark on a colorful journey of discovery, where each brushstroke teaches us to be bolder, brighter, and brilliantly unapologetic about who we are.

-With Love-

Chej

P.S. If you are looking to create your own art and are in need of supplies, there are many great resources online. I always scavenge facebook marketplace first and scoop up people's throwaways. Or if you only want new items I would suggest Blick Art Supplies, They are pretty cheap and they have EVERYTHING. I buy 90% of my supplies from Blick.

P.S.S. If you or anyone you know wants to learn how to paint and draw and actually make $$$ with it. Check out the Milan Art Academy, which is where I chose to go (other than watching a million Youtube videos). The people at the Milan Institute don't believe in the 'starving artist' myth and every lesson is designed to help you in the long run to successfully make money. We can all make a living with art, especially in a day and age where we can contact people on the other side of the planet within literal seconds if we choose to do so.

***If you want to donate/leave me a tip you can do so at https://buymeacoffee.com/chej

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