When it comes to personalizing my blog for this class - I have to admit that I had some trouble picking a template. It wasn't that I couldn't decide between an array of choices - it was more that being a graphic designer makes me unnecessarily picky about things that are a no-brainer for other people. In this case, I struggled because I didn't like the fonts used in some templates, the colors in others, or the inherent layout. Some were too frou frou, some too moody. I clicked through my options and kind of went "hmmmm..." several times pondering if I could make it work AND write something intelligent about a template that I wasn't in love with. I also have tons of web design experience under my belt so that certainly enabled the pickiness because I know that anything I didn't like could be changed. But, that takes quite a bit of time and being solely responsible for a full-time job, a side business, a 7 year old, pets, a home, and school...I have to be smart about where my time goes.
But, fortunately, in my exploring of options I discovered the very lovely watercolor Awesome Inc. blog template near the bottom of my choices. You see...I have a thing about watercolors. Watercolors are very near and dear to me because my grandmother was a watercolor artist. In fact, I think that the moderate fine art skills that I have are from the time I spent with her as a child (being able to apply quirky humor to art is from my other grandma). My grandma painted everything - from landscapes to architecture to animals to a P-51 Mustang fighter plane that graced my grandpa's office (he flew them in WWII). I was always in awe of how she could recreate pictures with skill and work with a relatively difficult medium - watercolors are not forgiving. She passed from cancer when I was 14 and was still thinking that I was going to be an architect. Over the years as my art abilities matured and I miraculously passed precalculus (but changed my major anyway because of it) I really wished that she was still around to tutor me. I have six of her watercolor paintings hanging in my bedroom and hallway and stop and appreciate them every now and then. Watercolors from any creator remind me of my grandma and her incredible skill.
My craft work has mostly been functional art over the years - sewing quiet books for my friends' babies, making stained glass nightlights as gifts, or making cakes that were centerpieces of wedding receptions. But, I've had a desire to get into the traditional arts more lately because I really feel that they get down to the basics in a way that functional art doesn't. I wanted to expand my skills. And where did I start? Watercolors, because of my grandma. An opportunity to take a short class came up last spring so I jumped on it, and painted this agave, which happens to be one of my agaves from my "monstrous" succulent collection (according to my family). And I had so much fun! Watercolors just felt so natural, perhaps because I was painting with my grandmother's brushes, and I loved every minute and am so proud of the piece.
I've taken opportunities to dabble in more watercolors when time permits (which is rare, sadly), but slowly I am getting better. Some day I hope to be able to do more modern interpretations of color and shape like the watercolor in my Blogger template. For now, that's still a technique that I need to work on. Ultimately that is my goal - to see a watercolor I like and to know exactly how to create it and have the skill to do it myself. But, for now I will find joy in the splash of watercolor across my blog when I come here to post - joy for the goal I've set and also the person who inspired that goal.
Michelle, I like how you lead us almost into a journey on how you chose your template and the reasonsings. The narrative your provided painted a distinct picture in the readers eyes. Artists always have a mind that thinks ahead, something that I have always admired about them. I appreciate you sharing about your Grandma and how this watercolor background reminded you of her. I look forward to seeing some of your further pieces of art.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, I'm surprised at the level of personality that is connecting you to the site with fully expressing your love for art through the journey you've had in life. You chose a perfect medium to get people interested in your story and I'm also surprised of the use of photos as I didn't know that was a resource available at the time.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, I really like your agave painting. Obviously, artistic talent runs in your family and how great that your grandma taught you skills. I took a watercolor class years ago and really enjoyed it. I found it to be therapeutic and felt a sense of accomplishment with every painting (even if it looked bad). I'm looking forward to seeing what else you share on here.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you! I am also a mother, I have a 9 year old boy. This watercolor template was appealing to me as well however I decided to go with something else. I chose something that more closely resembles the business that I share with my boyfriend. He has his own food truck and so I wanted to make my template something that represents that. Watercolor paintings are really nice to look at. That's a great memory and tradition that you acquired from your grandmother.
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about your different interests. It's really cool that you are so artistic and that it was most likely passed down from your grandma. The best part of your blog is that you were able to create a place for all of your interests. Looking forward to reading more.