Winter is still here...that darned groundhog! So while I've been hibernating, I've been painting, drawing, journaling....
enjoy the new work!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Finding Time
Following some blogs, I've realized that as artists, we share some common ground....
the need for TIME to make our work, the feeling that we don't have enough TIME to create all the work that we want, that TIME is going to escape us or get the better of us, and that in these economic TIMEs, we have chosen a path as artists, a path that is steady in it's journey for us, but nonetheless one that holds no guarantees. So let's ponder this 'TIME'. As I sit here pondering where I want to start my day...a watercolor, some sketches, journaling, full throttle into some oil paintings, maybe finish a few of those encaustics....I am already worried about the time that has escaped me today, the extra two hours I spent in bed because of a headache, the time I need to spend getting groceries today, the time I am losing towards my artwork and the time that I will be able to spend on my artwork....AHHH! It's overwhelming!
Let's pull in those reins and remember this: disregard those hands on the clock, for the time being. If we make even one piece of art a day, for even five minutes, it is a step closer. And then maybe the next day, we spend thirty minutes, and then two hours, and then a whole day....it's a habit like any other: so easy to start, so hard to break. Time is really on our side if we truly think about it. When I paint, I am not even thinking of time...it just happens. Sometimes it slows down and sometimes it speeds by, but giving myself to my art, I simply don't notice the time. I certainly don't compare the work I made with the time I spent on it....that could get us all in trouble. And back to these economic times...I willingly left a secure, full time job back in August, to pursue my artwork because in order to do so, I needed more TIME! And it was a bold and scary move, not knowing how my bills would be paid, but I was giving myself the gift of time to pursue my reality: being an artist. Yes, of course it is with fear, doubt and skepticism that I wonder, 'will I be able to make it?, will my work sell?'....so far, I gauge my time on a month to month basis, and so far, so good....yeah, I do supplement with a few ultra part time gigs; but I look at the state our of nation, people losing jobs and so much more, and yet I think, 'what an AMAZING TIME to be an artist, to stay at home and paint!'
the need for TIME to make our work, the feeling that we don't have enough TIME to create all the work that we want, that TIME is going to escape us or get the better of us, and that in these economic TIMEs, we have chosen a path as artists, a path that is steady in it's journey for us, but nonetheless one that holds no guarantees. So let's ponder this 'TIME'. As I sit here pondering where I want to start my day...a watercolor, some sketches, journaling, full throttle into some oil paintings, maybe finish a few of those encaustics....I am already worried about the time that has escaped me today, the extra two hours I spent in bed because of a headache, the time I need to spend getting groceries today, the time I am losing towards my artwork and the time that I will be able to spend on my artwork....AHHH! It's overwhelming!
Let's pull in those reins and remember this: disregard those hands on the clock, for the time being. If we make even one piece of art a day, for even five minutes, it is a step closer. And then maybe the next day, we spend thirty minutes, and then two hours, and then a whole day....it's a habit like any other: so easy to start, so hard to break. Time is really on our side if we truly think about it. When I paint, I am not even thinking of time...it just happens. Sometimes it slows down and sometimes it speeds by, but giving myself to my art, I simply don't notice the time. I certainly don't compare the work I made with the time I spent on it....that could get us all in trouble. And back to these economic times...I willingly left a secure, full time job back in August, to pursue my artwork because in order to do so, I needed more TIME! And it was a bold and scary move, not knowing how my bills would be paid, but I was giving myself the gift of time to pursue my reality: being an artist. Yes, of course it is with fear, doubt and skepticism that I wonder, 'will I be able to make it?, will my work sell?'....so far, I gauge my time on a month to month basis, and so far, so good....yeah, I do supplement with a few ultra part time gigs; but I look at the state our of nation, people losing jobs and so much more, and yet I think, 'what an AMAZING TIME to be an artist, to stay at home and paint!'
Monday, December 29, 2008
And Things....
While the weather has been stormy, I have been stuck in the house, creating new work...oh darn! While I await the completion of the 'paint and play' room, painting has been in the form of small watercolors and collages for the time being. It's amazing what paper can teach you and how it even informs about paint....I've been loving going through my old suitcase of remnant papers! It's like a great Christmas day every time I open it up and find something I previously missed the last time I went through. So that said, please enjoy the mini collages...and stay tuned for the mini birds coming shortly.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I believe though that to be an artist really requires that you have renaissance capabilities...yes, much like Leonardo daVinci...you must be a scientist, intuitive, inquiring, hypothesizing, experimenting....seeking solutions and new answers, a cook, someone with a flair for flavors (this is my simile for color composition), capable of multitasking and ambidextrous...left and right brained, someone willing to make a mess to make something great, and not worried or afraid of the aftermath in the cleanup, someone who savors!, and you must be a child, not that i want to revert back to being five again...heck, I barfed in the one room kindergarten classroom on the first day of school...., but someone who has the ability to see something for the first time, over and over again...to bring that to each piece of art, BUT KNOWINGLY!
These are the qualities that I think help shape an artist.
These are the qualities that I think help shape an artist.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
thanks for coming in today!
An extended thanks to everyone in Troy who showed up at the first ever Tightknit Indie event!I truly enjoyed working with everyone involved.
The event was a huge success. Thanks to everyone who took the time to browse, shop, comment, chat and plain out send positivity to the artists around the community!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)