“Pétales Musicales” Painting from the NL Folk Festival
“Pétales Musicales” – 4′ x 4′ – created live at the NL Folk Festival.
Remember when I wrote that live painting was a stretch of my comfort zones?
Well, I had a great time painting in the Espace Franco at the NL Folk Festival last weekend. Thanks again to the Réseau Culturel Francophone TNL for the invite!
No regrets! That’s usually what happens when I feel the fear and do it anyway. Sure I was nervous, but excited too. I’m so glad I listened to a higher calling.
In this post, you’ll see the layers and read some stories about the creative process behind “Pétales Musicales”. For purchasing details, click here.
Symbolism
“Pétales Musicales” (Musical Petals) is as much about listening to the song of your soul as it is about becoming a part of the music around you.
If you honour your unique voice first, you’ll rock this world …. (I couldn’t say folk it… just didn’t sound right).
Live Painting at the NL Folk Festival
My mission was to get the festival’s energy down on canvas.
If music, summer, fun, variety, and community are what you get from this painting, then I did my job!
My “research” started Friday night, sitting on the lawn of Bannerman Park with hundreds of other folks, filling my soul with the music of Emma Peckford, Allan Ricketts, Katie Baggs, Sean Panting, Kat McLevey, Andrew Laite & Josh Sandu (Rube & Rake) and Steve Maloney.
I could hear Jim Payne and Fergus O’Byrne from the bus stop, but I missed Hey Rosetta. They started at 10:30 and I knew I’d be a wreck the next day if I stayed.
In bed by 10pm, I was all set to go early on Saturday morning for set-up!
The weather was cold (9°C at times) and damp, but it didn’t rain (amazing since the forecast called for 20mm on Sunday).
The music, the crowd, my lunchtime fish tacos, and all those who stopped to chat inspired this painting. It came to life layer by layer.
I never knew what the next layer would bring. That’s the beauty of intuitive painting!
During the Fred Penner concert, I walked around tracing hands of children in the crowd. Thanks to Catie and Freddie of St. John’s, Sam and Anna of Hollyrood, and Ava of Nova Scotia! You’re at the heart of this festive flower!
On Sunday morning, I woke up raring to go. I started an hour before the festival opened.
I was glad I had my alpaca wool socks, layers of thrift shop fleece (great for paint stains), and my groovy hat! I love NL weather as long as I’m dressed for it!
I couldn’t believe it! The thick strokes I used for the petals on Saturday weren’t dry by the time we left on Sunday! We’re talking acrylic paint that normally dries in a few hours…
If you see a few bugs when you look real close, that’s why!… all part of festival and floral life! Part of me feels bad, but our local black flies have taken a few chunks out of me this week, leaving smears of bright red blood on my face and neck, so part of me doesn’t mind …
The Finishing Touches At Home
Yay for de-humidifiers! The petals dried at home overnight.
I worked on the painting for another 15 hours.
You can’t see all the tangle pattern details in the hands and shading from far, but when you get up close, there’s a whole other world to explore. Click on the photos below to see them larger.
Then there’s the iridescent 3-D paint. Fun! Fun! Fun! Did I say I love my job!
I spray varnished it yesterday, covered from head to toe in protective gear. Then I headed to Beachy Cove beach with friends to chill out. Actually, it was sunny and warm. What a contrast!
“Pétales Musicales” is SOLD.
Loved watching this come together and looking forward to the finished product!