Sunday, May 25, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Bravo to the Liz's
http://blog.art21.org/2014/04/03/hello-from-the-writer-in-residence/#.Uz4g6ie9KSN
Monday, March 31, 2014
The long and winding road from my brain to the canvas....
When I'm working on a painting, I have to get myself into what we artists call "the zone" , shifting the mind into a nearly meditative state. I have a few warm up exercises and rituals that I use to make the shift, get all the "stuff" out of my head.
Focus.
Often the path that leads from the idea to the canvas resembles a Family Circus cartoon where the little boy or girl takes the long way and many detours to get from point A to point B.
I can describe the idea that led to the other idea that led to the inspiration that led to the application of the idea and then the detour that led to another idea that had me try something else, and then , oh, that looks cool, what if I did this, or layer on that, or lifted this.......and so on and so on.
Are you still with me?
The thing is, I get so deep in thought,, and so internal, that it's hard to translate my techniques in simple terms. Like a meditation, sometimes I will be working on something and time just slips away. All of a sudden I "come to" and the painting is nearly done, overworked, or just completely different then my original idea. I'm not in a completely conscious state, so I have no idea what I did, or how I got there. Hours have passed and I have no idea how long I've been working.
I hope and wish for focus, so I can know how I did something, and can repeat it if I ever want to. I'm figuring out that it's just not how my brain works, I need to get into a state of hyper-focus or the works just no good.
I'll take notes, make myself take a break, set a timer, and hope for the best.
Focus.
Often the path that leads from the idea to the canvas resembles a Family Circus cartoon where the little boy or girl takes the long way and many detours to get from point A to point B.
I can describe the idea that led to the other idea that led to the inspiration that led to the application of the idea and then the detour that led to another idea that had me try something else, and then , oh, that looks cool, what if I did this, or layer on that, or lifted this.......and so on and so on.
Are you still with me?
The thing is, I get so deep in thought,, and so internal, that it's hard to translate my techniques in simple terms. Like a meditation, sometimes I will be working on something and time just slips away. All of a sudden I "come to" and the painting is nearly done, overworked, or just completely different then my original idea. I'm not in a completely conscious state, so I have no idea what I did, or how I got there. Hours have passed and I have no idea how long I've been working.
I hope and wish for focus, so I can know how I did something, and can repeat it if I ever want to. I'm figuring out that it's just not how my brain works, I need to get into a state of hyper-focus or the works just no good.
I'll take notes, make myself take a break, set a timer, and hope for the best.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Wandering Mind Studio: Heavy vs uplifting, is there room for both? Why I ...
Wandering Mind Studio: Heavy vs uplifting, is there room for both? Why I ...: You read a big serious book, full of intense heady content, concentrating is key. You finish the book/novel/manifesto, and then give your mi...
Heavy vs uplifting, is there room for both? Why I think you can weave various moods and tones simultaneously while working on a series.
You read a big serious book, full of intense heady content, concentrating is key. You finish the book/novel/manifesto, and then give your mind a rest with an easy "beach read".
Painting is like that too sometimes. I do these studies that are so involved that I am completely immersed, and hardly take time to breath. I'll work on something for days, hours that feel endless and fleeting at the same time (that's how you know that you're in "the zone"). When those paintings have been completed, I find myself somewhat mentally drained , and n need of recharging my creative mind.
Enter the simple painting, something lighter, brighter, completely spontaneous and simple. I might use these as a way to experiment with new materials and ideas. After all, there's no pressure to make a masterpiece, and usually, that's when it happens , a breakthrough style or technique. It pays to give yourself some slack sometimes, and the result may surprise you.
Painting is like that too sometimes. I do these studies that are so involved that I am completely immersed, and hardly take time to breath. I'll work on something for days, hours that feel endless and fleeting at the same time (that's how you know that you're in "the zone"). When those paintings have been completed, I find myself somewhat mentally drained , and n need of recharging my creative mind.
Enter the simple painting, something lighter, brighter, completely spontaneous and simple. I might use these as a way to experiment with new materials and ideas. After all, there's no pressure to make a masterpiece, and usually, that's when it happens , a breakthrough style or technique. It pays to give yourself some slack sometimes, and the result may surprise you.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Wandering Mind Studio: Wandering Mind Studio: Stepping out of my comfort ...
Wandering Mind Studio: Wandering Mind Studio: Stepping out of my comfort ...: Wandering Mind Studio: Stepping out of my comfort zone. : Trying to choose paintings for my portfolio. Its a daunting task. Since I work i...
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