2 weeks ago, the cell group members volunteered to paint a children playroom and counseling room at church. It has nice warm cappuccino-coloured walls but looks rather empty. Don suggested to put up some paintings for the kids and I thought he was kidding.

A few days ago, he went to buy 3 big canvases and was all-so-excited to start. (I was expecting an A4-size canvas)

We used acrylic paint. Some left over from the previous art project

The biggest challenge is always finding a common free time for both of us. Even a good 4-5 hours for a weekend is tough, especially with his new postings and night calls at hospital. But well, we just have to pace ourselves nicely.

We happened to have similar preference and style, which was good. We did some research on Botero and children’s illustrations from books.

We love Botero’s exaggerated proportions of figures and forms.

Picture from Takamatsu City

Don suggested to do some paintings on a bible story. One story came to my mind immediately – Jonah and the big fish that swallowed him.

We planned to paint Jonah’s story in 3 paintings: The storm that tosses the boat, Jonah in the belly of a big fish and Jonah preaches in Ninevah.

Me painting the sea. The blank is the fish; Don painting Jonah in Ninevah

We had a great time painting and enjoying the stillness in time. Taking it slow with no pressure, no deadline and expectation to meet.

In the midst of the painting, despite of the peace and quietness that we both had, it struck me that how potentially challenging it could be for 2 persons to do an art project together. After all, art is subjective and everyone has his/her own style in creating an artwork. It is easy to fall into arguments and conflict of interests, when people have different expectation, objective and desire in minds.

Painting aside, what I have learned from this activity is far greater than I expected. We are both perfectionist when it comes to art. But it was the trust and respect that made the activity fun! We have UNCONSCIOUSLY learned to give constructive feedback with sensitivity and respect, to encourage and inspire each other, to manage our expectations, to trust in each other’s ability and to accommodate to other’s needs. Something that we absolutely cannot take granted for.

Anyway, we haven’t finished the paintings. Guess it will take another few more weekends to complete it. Though I tried to complete the painting on my own, it was not the same without him. After all, it is not MY project anymore, it is OURS.

Posted under Artsy-craftsy , Thoughts & musings | [5] Comments