Frustration, Trotsky and a big cup of tea

“Life is not an easy matter... You cannot live through it without falling into frustration and cynicism unless you have before you a great idea which raises you above personal misery, above weakness, above all kinds of perfidy and baseness.”
-Leon Trotsky

Frustration has been a major theme the last few days. Sometimes things just seems to fall into place, other times they certainly don't. I've had this nagging feeling of being way in over my head for a while now, this being connected to my current studies. To put it plainly: they drive me bonkers. Quite often. And at the same time I feel that this is where I'm supposed to be, even if it's difficult certain days. Luckily I'm surrounded by people who love and support me no matter what I do. And sometimes you just need to scream and kick and throw an oldschool teenage inspired tantrum to get it out of your system. So now when I've done that it's time to get my act together, make myself a big cup of tea and get the work done. ;)

Sunday feeling

It feels like Sunday today, very slow and sleepy feeling in general. School is taking up most of my time but I try to clear my head with some creative work from time to time, otherwise I think I'd go crazy. Working on an A3 acrylic painting. It started out as a doodle and was supposed to be something else entirely but certain days the picture wants something else than what was originally intended and I find that it's wiser to go with the flow when that happens. So far I'm content with where it's going and I think it can turn into something that I'm happy with. If my camera wasn't being grumpy I'd post a sneak peek. Drawing and painting (or any sort of creative work) can be very therapeutic. I like the feeling of the mind resting in a picture during its creation, very peaceful and satisfying. The end result seems to matter less and the picture turns into something beyond an artistic expression.

Pencils, crayons and a bit of spare time

Matthew, pencil and crayon on paper, 27x35 cm.

Insecurities

"What an artist worries about when he plans his pictures, is something... difficult to put into words. Perhaps he would say he worries about whether he has got it 'right.' Now it is only when we understand what he means by this modest little word 'right' that we begin to understand what artists are really after."

- Ernst Gombrich

Paintings on the wall

Paintings on the wall

Detail of one of mum's absolute favourites when it comes to my art. Gaia, 81x100 cm, acrylics. Still a work in progress that I seem to never get around to finishing :P

Updated Gallery!

I've been busy the last few days and haven't had time to write but today I put the school books aside for a bit to update my little blog <3

Check out the Gallery! New pictures up:

* Still life with peacock feathers
* The Touch of Illusions
* Cotton Candy
* Portrait of a Woman
* Me, Myself and Mumrik
* The Shape of Things
* Pearl

The Harvest Festival was lovely as always and all the nice comments about my paintings really warmed my heart, thank you everyone! Positive feedback like that is what keeps me going when things are tough and the inspiration has disappeared. You never know if people will like what you do and it's always such a nice feeling when someone comes up and tells you how much they like your creations.

I would love to just spend the rest of the night sketching but I have assignments that need doing. But who knows, if I get a lot done I'll probably bring the pens out, it's hard not to when you have images stuck in your head that needs to be put on paper :D

Close-up of Cotton Candy