Painting my desires

Last week, I asked in an Instagram post, 'Which of my illustrations would you like to live in?'. I've never had so many reactions to a post before, but one reaction really jumped out.

"The world you create is a world many of us deeply long for (or feel homesick for)!"

And that got me thinking. Because it's remarkable to me that people mentioned this. The main things I paint are the things I wish for. Places, or moments, that I need for my emotional well-being. Places or moments that I can dissapear to in my mind. That make me feel good about life. They're my safe places.

I intentionally keep my illustrations ambiguous

Of course, with every piece, I could fully explain what I felt, meant, and envisioned. But then I would deny others the opportunity to experience their own feelings or desires with it. Because my Instagram post also showed that everyone interprets the same illustrations differently. People can project their own feelings onto the things I create. And to me, that is the greatest compliment I can receive, and it's the whole reason why I share my creations with the world. I believe that others can also benefit from it, because I notice how much it helps me!

Inner critic

Do you know that feeling when you suddenly become insecure about everything you're saying or writing? I suddenly think, 'Who wants to hear this?' and 'Phew, I sound like a braggart, ugh!' And it's the same with painting. What do I do when that inner critic rears its head? I get busy with a new painting. A new moment I want to capture, a new place I'd like to be. A new desire. And slowly, I disappear into my world and decide that this blog is complete.