MIND PAINTING

Years ago I used to paint, as in oil painting, very abstract, one day i'll see if I can post that. I painted with palette knives, rarely used a brush, and I reeeeealy enjoyed the physical part of it, scraping, dabbing, pushing, sometimes in a frenzy, brutally, like it was a release! I guess that sounds kind of frightening, but it was a rush, and in working with metal, I feel the same way. I can gouge, mar, scratch, heat and manipulate it into something that's truly mine, it's the physical part of it that is different from beading. I've been working on projects from Mary Hettmansperger's book "Wrap, Stitch, Fold and Rivet". I love doing it, and it's a nice contrast to beading, which can sometimes be repetitive to me. Deryn Mentock has a challenge on her blog to participate in the projects in this book. It's very worthwhile, even if metal is not totally your thing, because it improves your skill level and I think it improves your mindset! Just a different way of looking at things. I can already see projects that I will do in the future that will incorporate both beading and metal. Deryn's blog is one of the most informative, thoughtful and inspirational that I have seen. The word beautiful somehow doesn't do her work justice, it's beyond that, and you can feel her sincerity and commitment in each piece she creates. I will also say she is one of the kindest people out there. Even if her style is not yours, by visiting her blog you can surely take something with you when you leave that will enrich your life. I like to think we are all trying to enrich each other in our own little way!