artist – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

As Ann-Christine wrote; This week we are starting to look back… each month or maybe every 6 weeks, one of us in the LAPC – team will repeat a PREVIOUSLY USED subject for the week. We will share a link to the old post, and then create a new post on the same subject. This will also give us all a chance to address challenges we may not have done before.

The creativity that has flowed through this group is nothing short of amazing! Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to see the innovative ideas and the contagious enthusiasm of so many talented photographers. Even though I haven’t participated in these challenges from the beginning, I’ve truly felt the heartbeat of this incredible community, where support and inspiration beautifully spark joy. After observing for a while, I finally decided to join in, inspired by the wonderful posts created within this community. Thank you, Ann-Christine, for inviting us to reflect on the earlier days of this challenge with your lovely theme and for sharing your beautiful post from back then Creativity in the first post, #42, as well as the one you created for us this week.

This week, my heart is full of excitement as I decide to raise my own tail and share the delightful creative pursuits that ignite my passion! While I may have strayed a bit lately, I’m determined to rediscover the joy of creating. Whether it’s painting, sculpting, or aquarelle painting, time spent creating with my own hands fills me with happiness.

A young girl in a red outfit gazes thoughtfully over her shoulder, surrounded by vibrant pink flowers. Creativity is also to see something worth a click on the camera to capture a moment and the editing process so it tells the story as you saw it.

I am happy to share my little “masterpieces” 😂 with you all! Most of my art I am not happy with, and whenever I come across old paintings I’ve done, I see SO much need for improvement. They may have seemed okay at the time, but now, in hindsight, I realize there are countless aspects that could be enhanced. The colors, the technique, the composition—there’s always something I wish I could change. Despite this, I can genuinely say I enjoyed the creative process of making them at the time. Then there are certain pieces that stand out, ones that I can proudly say are truly mine. These artworks still look good to me and I achieved what I aimed for.

First thing was drawing – I don’t remember when I haven’t done that. Here is one sample done with pastel colors. I have always loved to draw faces as well as photograph them 🙂 As I have moved a lot from early age, I am sad to say my earlier drawing were lost in the process. It would be lovely at this age my work from my teenage years. I have only few left…

A portrait done pastel, this was one of my favorite mediums earlier on, drawing evolved from drawing with pencil and coal to pastel colors.

In 2011, I dedicated myself to mastering oil painting, achieving mixed results—some pieces I was happy of, while others fell short of my expectations. I shared a handful of these works on my original blog, which I still maintain, though I haven’t kept it updated regularly. If you’re interested, feel free to check out some of my attempts in my art blog as I did a repost of one of my earlier post from 2011. The one below I still like in all of its simplicity.

An oil painting depicting a tranquil body of water surrounded by lush greenery and a cloudy sky.

I was super into mixed media art for a long time, diving headfirst into this colorful world of creativity and expression. I mixed my art with old and new photos to create cool images that touched on different themes like nature, feelings, and my own experiences. My passion for color, which is a big part of these fun and layered pieces, really brought each artwork to life, letting people connect with it emotionally. The mix of textures and materials gave depth to everything, making each piece a one-of-a-kind reflection of my artistic journey and a shoutout to the beauty around us. While I was combining all these elements, I realized each creation had its own story, encouraging others to explore the layers of meaning and inspiration I was excited to share through my creative vision.

A vibrant mixed media artwork featuring colorful birds in flight and a close-up of a feline face, blending elements of nature and abstract art. If you wish to see more of m mixed media art here is a link to my portfolio

A collection of sculptures, works of my creativity. I loved sculpting figures in various poses and textures. These are few that I can show with confidence 😀

Then I also dabbled a bit in sculpture; it’s a wonderfully relaxing and almost meditative form of creativity that offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You can feel the clay beneath your fingers, its texture smooth yet malleable, inviting your imagination to take flight. Before you know it, you lose track of time, allowing your hands to work deftly while clearing your mind of distractions. As you mold and shape, the scent of the clay becomes a part of the experience, grounding you in the moment. The only thought is about where to add more clay to bring your envisioned result to life, each decision guided by an intuitive understanding of balance and form. This process not only enhances your creative expression but also fosters a deep sense of satisfaction and connection with the material. The joy of watching something take shape under your hands is simply unparalleled, leaving you rejuvenated and inspired.

A watercolor painting depicting a landscape with soft hues of green and blue.

As an artist, I find watercolor painting to be both exhilarating and frustrating. I have just recently ventured this with some confidence. The fluidity of the medium is a double-edged sword; mastering the right water-to-pigment ratio takes time and practice. Too much water can wash out the vibrancy I strive for, while too little leads to harsh lines that just don’t feel right. Watercolors have a mind of their own—they blend and react in ways I might not anticipate, which can either be a delightful surprise or a source of frustration, depending on how it goes. But despite these challenges, there’s something magical about watercolor. It captures light in a way that few mediums can.

A collection of graphic monotype artworks showcasing textures and blending of colors.

Graphic monotype is a captivating printmaking technique that allows for spontaneous creativity, combining the fluidity of painting with the tactile experience of print. Although I’ve pursued it for several years, achieving the precise results I envision remains a challenge. Each print is unique, offering a beautiful surprise in texture and form, which makes the process both frustrating and exhilarating. The unpredictability and chance elements inherent in monotyping stimulate my artistic expression and keep me returning to this vibrant medium.

Thanks for last week’s challenge Anne,and everyone who participated in the challenge; reflections are a topic so many of us love and I saw lots of beautiful, creative reflections. Lens-Artists are on a short break for a week, but we invite you to join us Saturday July 12 at noon Eastern Time, when our guest host SH will be your guide. Until then, keep on smiling.

For information on how to join the Lens-Artists challenge please click here.