“A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words”

As a representational expressionist artist words are fascinating to me and find their way into my mixed media art, both on journal pages and paintings.  Most of my mixed media and representational expressionist paintings start with words, quotes or scripture written on the white canvas or paper.  Some of the words get covered completely others peek through.  This early writing can create some neat textures. 
Have you ever heard a picture is worth a thousand words?  If that is the case what picture does a thousand words create?  Does a thousand words make a picture?  If they do what would that picture be?  Perhaps of an expressionistic landscape? A beautiful dragon fly which represents strength?   What are your thousand words?  Have you ever thought about what thousand words a picture of you evokes?  Okay some thought provoking questions here.    
A thousand words is too many for me to focus on so I love to find a “word” for the year.  Who else likes to do that ?  If so what is your word or phrase for 2022?  Please share in the comments or reply if receiving by email.  
For those of you who used to join me on FB live you know usually I have a word by the beginning of the year.  I make little mixed media abstract paintings with the word to place around the house, use sticky notes with the word written and even 3x5 cards to carry in my purse.  The word may also end up in my representational paintings and all throughout my art journals. I like a positive uplifting strong word geared at helping improve me as a person. In the past words such as patience, intentional, and prudence became my word.  
So 2022 has clearly arrived and still no word.  The year started out with hot beautiful weather to cold and snow in a few days. Next throw in Omicron and all that goes with that.  Both lead to a warning to what type of year it was going to be - unpredictable.  Although strong enough to face whatever life throws my way - I decided unpredictable was not a word to focus on. 
So January came and went still no word.  February arrives and one of my favorite holidays next to Thanksgiving and New Years is you guessed it Valentine’s Day.  There seemed to be LOVE plastered in the grocery store and the home decor section.  I resisted thinking it was too common of a word.  So many songs have been written about love.  “All you need is love”. Love is a verb.  The iconic LOVE in Philadelphia to represent the city of brotherly love.  Then you hear there are many different types of love, agape love, self love, real love, etc.  
I had been dealing with some illness nothing serious but life altering.  Frequent nausea and dizziness lead to necessary resting.  Not creating collages or expressionistic paintings was really different for me.  The time was mostly passed with listening to audio books and reading if I could. While searching the library an available book “Everybody Always” by Bob Goff was chosen.  We ended up listening to it several times and found it fascinating.  We also listened to his first book “Love Does.”  The theme of loving people instead of trying to give them your opinion and trying to change them struck a chord with me.  
Imagine for a minute a thousand words of LOVE - what kind of picture will that create?  I am trying to find out.  So now you know my word for the year is LOVE.  Mike even surprised me with a necklace with you guessed it the word “LOVE” on it.  A lovely reminder with some sparkle my favorite for sure.  
 Hearts can also symbolize love an universal symbol of love.   While in high school all of the fingers on my left hand were adorned with heart rings -  I have a picture to prove it.  Hearts are also fun to draw and paint abstract them out or use some funky mixed media supplies like acrylic ink or markers.  If you are not sure what to paint or draw try a heart and see where it leads.  
One of my favorite abstract paintings from Kristi our late daughter is a large lovely heart saying God is love.  It now hangs in my office bringing me comfort and serves as a reminder to love.  I also have a collection of cards written by the kids expressing love with cute hearts or words have also been saved.  Who else has saved these precious mementos? 
So my word for 2022 is LOVE.  My plan - love instead of judging.  Love instead of criticizing including myself.  Love can even be applied to self care.  I believe working on improving my words and attitude is one of the best forms of self care.  
So now you have it my word for the year is LOVE.  Stay tuned to see how I incorporate the word into my mixed media expressionistic art.  I would LOVE to hear what your word is for 2022.  May we have a year filled with LOVE instead of fear, LOVE instead of war, LOVE instead of self criticism. Finally LOVE what you do and who you do life with.   We never know when “I love you” will be the last words someone hears from us.  
I would like to plan a “Love event” lets create on Zoom if you would like.  We can also do a FB live bring your mixed media supplies, acrylic or oil paint whatever you would like and create some art.  I think there will be some bold beautiful mixed media expressionistic paintings or journal pages created.  
Before I end also must share some parameters, I can be bold and forthright which is often needed.  If someone is harming you physically or emotionally please get to safety.  We do not need to stay around unsafe or toxic people in the name of love.  
Please like and follow Angela Bruch Art on FB and social media.  Like our FB page to join us on a FB live.  I would love to create together - even if only online.  Stay safe, healthy and LOVE.  


Angela Bruch