February 2008

I just sliced into the tight shrink wrap in order to free some whimsy from it's packaging.  I followed an artistic urge today and eventually ended up with a box of oil pastel chalk.  Like the magpie that I am, I was drawn to the 'bright' assortment of oil pastel chalks; tantalizing hues with names like "Rose Madder", "Van Dyck Brown" and "Prussian Blue."

I can still recall the childhood excitement in the fall of the school year.  Mandatory would be a new box of crayons.  It was the number of Crayolas that reflected the family financial situation; the lean years would be a box of 8 or 16, the flush years brought the coveted 64 Crayolas (with built in sharpener, of course).  That familiar green & yellow cardboard home to 64 choices. Magenta? Burnt Sienna? Salmon? Most importantly to a little magpie-Gold or Silver! 

Sometimes my Grandmother would color with me. Sure, it probably kept me quiet while we sat together at the table. Upon reflection, years later, I realized her enjoyment wasn't feigned. When she was a tot, after arriving here via Ellis Island from (then) Holland, crayons were not an option for her.  She didn't scold if I went out of the lines or tried to use as many colors as possible on a page.

Back to the present, I feel that same little thrill looking at my 36 hues of oil pastel chalk.  Will I be able to pull off my spur of the moment art project? That remains to be seen. In the end, my white canvas squares may end up looking like little replicas of my art work as an 8 year old child that reflected a young girls fascination with chalk sunsets and smudged abstracts. ...and that's okay. I give my self permission not worry about "results" and just enjoy the process.
 
We too, like a child, can dive in & explore the possibilities- -the day to day grind of winter appears as varying shades of slushy grey...don't be afraid to add some "Ochre", "Crimson Lake" or "Vermillion" to your life TODAY.

Blow the dust off something that used to give you Joy!

Sher


~

"Every child is an Artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up ."

-Pablo Picasso