The secret gallery’s blog

      Hearts             Oil on Canvas       Marianne Potterton  2009

Yesterday I sat on our motorbike, clutch going out throttle ready for lift off and James said now take your feet off the ground! I just could not do it! Maybe today or tomorrow I will get the courage and believe that I am not going to fall  over. It is a bit like painting, you can either stay where you are comfortable or dare to move off to an unknown destination. Many of us like our safety zones; not getting on that frisky horse who can leap into the air plunging and bucking at any moment! All of these scary things can make you feel like complete beginner because it is an unfolding road that you have never been on before, so in a way you are a constant beginner because it is always new.

Some of the voices that are in my head when I paint and make other art are:

Begin every painting like it is the first painting you ever made.

Be aware while letting go.

Feel how feels in your heart while you paint, when it goes numb stop!

Be really quiet but listen softly (I often listen to music I like and that makes me feel while painting such as Anthony and The Johnsons and Van Morrison, No Guru no Method no Teacher!))

Do not make up anything just for the sake of filling in space, it should feel right.

Try to have faith in your own ideas and let the other peoples voices and paintings fade into the background.

Alternate your focus between looking a every detail and painting with your eyes closes, between thinking and not thinking, between controlling what you are doing and not controlling.

These are some of my thoughts on art, they may or not make any sense to anyone else.

Peace to All