Photo by Lifehacker

How Clutter Affects Your Brain

I’m pretty sure that every artist struggles with this – clutter. As you really get involved with a painting, the paint bottles have a way of migrating outward in an expanding chaos. Add some collage into the mix, and there’s no taming that space. Mostly, I go with the flow. When I start having difficulty navigating across the floor of my studio space, I kick back into organizational mode, with each tube and bottle finding it’s own proper spot even if ever so briefly. One important question that I ask myself is, does having a tidy study make me more likely to paint? I think it may help. But for painting motivation, I find there’s nothing like having 3 paintings on the go at once and a bunch of great photo references asking for more. Which motivates you – a tidy space, or creative chaos? This is such an interesting article. I thought the 4 ways to master clutter listed at the bottom of the article were good ideas. Here’s the link: How Clutter Affects Your Brain by Lifehacker 
Dais2T

About Canvas

In any art supply store there is cheap canvas, and then there is the more expensive kind – which type I buy depends on exactly which painting techniques I will be using. The main difference between the 2 is the amount of gesso coating. You can’t go by labels such as ‘triple coated’ either. It seems that those 3 coats are incredibly thin sometimes. The result of not enough gesso is to make the canvas surface too absorbent. The paint soaks in too much instead of moving easily across the surface – not pleasant. You can fix this by rolling on a couple of coats of gesso and sanding between. I don’t like to have to spend the extra time to do that. However, if I am going to pretexture a canvas with gesso or gel before painting as I often do when working wet and wild, that will remedy the cheap canvas feel. I recommend trying some of each type of canvas to see which you prefer for the techniques that you are using. But I suggest, never buy the canvas with staples on the side . They really are bargain basement and it’s not worth doing good work on that bad a support. And a last note about canvas pad products – the cheaper ones of those are really awful to paint on. Definitely get a good brand such as Fredrix Canvas pads. It’s still cheaper than a prestretched canvas. Happy painting! 
Tree6T

Comfort and Adventure

Art is such an odd mix of moments of comfort and moments of being stretched. To the artist, these dynamics seem to flash back and forth in a reality that doesn’t stand still. As the artist gets more techniques under the belt, there is certainly a level of comfort. For example: it’s great to know 2 specific pigments and all their mixtures so well that they feel like old friends to work worth. But the creative spirit won’t rest there. There are endless colour combinations, and endless new techniques to try. So out of the comfort zone and into adventure we go again. Paint on! 
Painting of waterfall

The Escape of the Prisoner

Nearly everyone has something tough to deal with. Life does that. We need a place to go where we can be refreshed and come back with renewed energy and hope. I know I’m not alone when I say that my God-given place of refreshing is in my art. When I take time out to paint, yes, it’s pleasure, and at times work, and sometimes – it’s just plain survival. Taking creative time enhances my ability to deal in a positive manner with whatever challenges are currently waiting on my doorstep. J.R.R. Tolkien seemed to get it. When someone challenged him for spending so much time creating fantasy worlds, he responded, “Why should it not be the escape of the prisoner, rather than the flight of the deserter?” Why not, indeed. (Acrylic painting by Cheryl O)