Sometimes we just need a reboot. Something that can reset your thoughts, your worries, and your outlook. I was working on yet another exploration into making a video game and got the part about artificial intelligence - you know, the stuff that makes the computer think for itself. Well, it’s rather complicated and way above my head. I started to research it and got frustrated with progress and just got tired of it.
I’ve had problems recently in staying on task with any computerized project, whether video game, web site, or other dabblings. So I think I’m going to stop for a while. Instead I think I’m going to revert back to some basics - art. Actually, no thinking on this - I already started. I made a painting.
I hadn’t painted anything since college but last year got a kick to want to paint so I got a bunch of paint, brushes, and other supplies needed to make some paintings. But did I paint? No. Again, my initial excitement sputtered out and I debated too long to decide what/how I wanted to do.
Today I changed that. After helping Thee move into their new house, I took three hours and made a painting. It felt pretty good to paint again, and especially good to get something completed!
Maybe I’m just in a state of technological burn out…who knows. Doing it at work for 40 hours week is enough and that keeps me happy. When I came home and tried my own projects I found the difference in the way I do things and work and the way I do things at home to be too different to keep me happy. At work I’m efficient with creative juice to spare. At home that all went to pot because I tried to make things better than before and better than I do at work. The result was I really overcomplicated what I was doing because I was trying too hard to make a change (and make it “right”). The other catch was that my online ventures had zero overhead except time, so if it failed I wasn’t out any valuable resources - time to suck it up, I guess.
Hopefully painting will be a good outlet for fixing this rut and I might actually get some of other non-computer things done that I’ve been saying I want to do for a long time. The best part is I can start and finish a painting in a day or two - the perfect instant-gratification project.
The painting itself I like pretty well, at least for the first painting in several years. My thoughts for this painting and future paintings is commercial abstract art - the type of paintings you see when you go into Pier 1 and think, “I’d like that above my couch,” but then see the price tag and keep moving. Well, whenever I saw those pictures I said, “well hell, I can paint that,” but never did. No more. It’s a start at least.
So if any one needs a painting for their mantle or office, let me know and we’ll work something out. But I’m not interested in painting “things” or subjects. I just want to make paintings that serve one purpose, filling up space on a wall with color.
Sometimes you just need to return to your roots and start over. It’s healthy.
I got a house I need to look nice. A Vaughn original might look pretty nice over the fireplace.
Sure! Just tell me what the main colors are in the room, and how big you want it to be. Or send me a photo of the room. It will be your house warming gift :)
I would love something for above the TV, my current version of a fireplace. Color scheme is a modern sage green (w/ an olive hint), beige(y) wallpaper on the lower half. The current themeing is worldy, palm tree. Natural colors, but something in muted red/orange (a mild pop) or something that isn’t green or beige would be appreciated. Anything 40″ - 60″ wide y 18″-24″ high would work well.
…or if you are feeling more ambitious, something for the wall to the right of the TV. Right now the wall is blank, so something 4′-7′ feet wide by a 2.5′ - 4′ high would be the focal point of the room. It doesn’t need to be 1 painting, maybe a series of paintings might be interesting or even some sort of physical art display. Obviously, it would have to fit the color scheme and mood of the room.
Well as it seems that everyone is buying a house and asking for a vaughn original. Might as well sign me up too. So now you’re up to three commissions. I’ll even offer some cash monies. Mabye in a few years you’ll be makeing the rounds of new york galleries.
Well geez, I guess I should make an order form…and buy some more paint.
I may mail y’all to get more details.
And wow Thee, you almost sound like someone that knows something about art!
The key there being “almost”. Also, you must have forgotten that I was “almost” an art major at OSU. Remember, I took Art 101 my final quarter before graduation.
Honestly, I didn’t even know that ’sage’ was a color. I was going to describe the room as green and tan until the Misses helped me out.