The Story Behind the Mugshot

Blank Canvas

If you had an empty canvas, 5 hours on a Sunday afternoon, an accompanying drink, and all the arts-y tools you could need, what would you paint?

This was the riddle that was on my mind on the first Sunday of May 2022 as I left my apartment and headed off to the Tamarind Restaurant for a Paint & Sip hosted by your one-stop artist Nias Nyalada.

I mean, I had done the basic preparations: I had looked up Picasso paintings for some cubism inspo (as directed by my ever-inspiring artist of a sister Dr. Chu) and I had checked out a few African-themed pieces on Pinterest (I was going for an African vibe). However, I still was not sure of what I would be painting.

Fun fact: Cubism was partially influenced by African art!

Armed with inspiration, I arrived at the Tamarind Restaurant ready to do a number on the canvas. But the moment my eyes landed on that empty piece of canvas, I was taken aback. For a minute it felt like maybe I should not have signed up for this. Like there was no way I would achieve an insightful piece of art. But I decided there and then that no matter what, I was going to do my best on that piece of canvas and be proud of whatever will come of this endeavor.

And, honestly, that was the best decision I made that afternoon! I could feel the ideas flowing the moment I began sketching!! In no time, the sketch of an African mask with just the right amount of cubism was coming along smoothly. Until I realized if I didn't stop sketching then I wouldn't get to the actual painting. Lmao. Meaning I had to decide on the colors I would use to add some life to my sketch. Then it hit me: the colors of the East African flag! And so the real work began.

What followed was a series of blending, painting, rethinking the color, stopping for a minute or so, blending, painting... you get the drift.

There were moments that I was absolutely certain that I had botched the painting and would end up producing an underwhelming piece of art (that ka-feeling where you know you could have done better). I hated feeling that way. I had to keep telling myself that eventually it will all come together.

And come together it did! By the time 7 pm was rolling in, only a few of us were still at our stations painting away. There were a few minutes when I, thinking my painting needed a little more "oomph!" added a few elements to the painting that definitely ruined it! Fortunately, the beauty of using acrylics is you can always paint over your painting - hence saving a masterpiece. Lesson learnt.

Next was allowing the painting to dry and taking lots of photos to commemorate my achievement. Then I was on my way home, giddy with excitement and eager to share the outcome of my endeavors. After some insight from a few friends and some introspection on the final outcome, I realized that this is a self-portrait - My duality. A play between the good cop and the bad cop in me. A see-sawing of my mechanical and emotional parts. And I love all of it. All of me.

Thinking through the whole process, I realized I had learnt some five lessons:

1. You're allowed to spend as much time as you need to set yourself up for success.

2. Your final outcome (in life or on a painting) will not always look like what you thought it would at the beginning. And that's okay. It'll look perfect in the end.

3. You're allowed to make mistakes. And to paint over them where possible 😅

4. Enjoy the process! And take lots of photos 😁

5. Trust yourself through the process of your 'Becoming'. It will make sense in the end. 😌

Long story short, I am proud of sticking it out to the very end and giving this adventure my best shot. I'm looking forward to the next part of my journey to Becoming Lucy!

And now, I introduce to you (insert drumroll)… Mugshot!

A see-sawing of my mechanical and emotional parts.

Mugshot (01/05/2022)

PS: I'm curious- what do you see in this piece of art? Let me know using the form below 😁