Category: Creativity

There are 2 basic challenges with discovering your own unique voice in paint. The first is technical. If you haven’t mastered the techniques, from basics to more complex in both colour mixing and composition, it’s hard to speak clearly. Like a child with a very limited vocabulary, you may get really excited about what you want to say, but just can’t find the best way to say it. Practicing is the cure for this. The second problem is more of a challenge. You have a wide range of techniques under your belt, but exactly how to combine them to express yourself clearly in painting can be a real challenge. It helps a lot if you feel passionate about your subject. It also can help if you continue to hold a playful attitude to your work. Hoping that every piece will be a masterpiece is a lot of unnecessary pressure. Knowing that it’s alright for some paintings to be practice and play, can actually make you more prone to producing some unique expressive masterpieces. The joy of art is primarily the journey rather than the destination, the creative act rather than the end product. Whatever stage you are at, if you are enjoying the journey, it will show in your art. 

Here’s an interesting article about different types of creativity – “4 Types of Creativity” from The W Blog. 

I love teaching art. There is so much joy in helping others grow their creative side. I teach students to understand colour mixing, about shapes and composition, about finding a unique creative voice. Is this something you have been wanting to try? So many people find that being in class is a great way to get inspired to pick up that pencil or brush. New drawing classes start this Wednesday – absolute beginners welcome, and there is a one day Saturday workshop you could join on Sept. 23. That Saturday we will work step-by-step through van Gogh’s Starry night (featured here). For all the details, check out this link:  Art Courses with Cheryl O 

 

What does it mean, to paint “from the heart”? Perhaps this could mean different things to different artists. For some it means to paint a subject that they are passionate about. I have friends who love to paint the flowers from their gardens or the horses they raise. Yet even for these artists, I think it goes beyond the subject. Plus, I’ve certainly had abstract paintings that feel like they are expressing something very close to my heart. What is the secret ingredient? I think it has to do with being personal. Personal with colour choices and brush strokes – with shapes and lines and all the elements that make a composition. That’s part of what’s so wonderful about art – the variables are endless. The longer that you have been painting, the more skill you have and the more personal your expression can become. Here’s another key: The artist senses that they are sharing something intimate about themselves when they show others that art. Sometimes I get completely immersed in painting and it’s a sensuous dance of colour and motion. There are moments when I can’t tell where my emotions start and the brush ends. It’s not easy to define “painting from the heart”. I hope you experience it – as an artist or as someone who appreciates art. What do you think? How do you know when a painting is “from the heart”? 

This is my latest painting, done in oils. The title is “Beyond”. What do you think of this painting? Your comments are welcome. 

1. You see the world with new eyes. Learning to paint has a way of opening your eyes to colours and shapes in a magical and almost childlike way. It brings back the wonder of it all. 2. You are moved by colour. Many painters find the expressing themselves with colour brings a special delight. 3. You have travelled. Painters are always thrilled to come home from a trip with wonderful photos waiting to be painted. And, here’s a bonus, spending an afternoon painting that inspiring place feels like spending an afternoon there again! 4. You like to try new things. There is always something new to try, something new to learn in painting. It’s never boring. 5. It’s a fun way to relate to people. Artists are  a friendly and supportive bunch. Unlike sports, where there are winners and losers, in art class people just want to encourage each other. 6. It becomes a very personal expression. Anyone who had taken one of my courses where we work step by step together through a famous painting will know that everyone’s turns out differently. Your uniqueness comes through in the way you handle the paint. (I love encouraging this.) 7. It’s portable. You can take your sketching materials, and even some paint, anywhere. You can sit out in the garden and paint on a nice day. Harder to do with the grand piano. 8. If you live in a place that has walls, you can have something very special to put on them. Small paintings make lovely personal cards or gifts too. 9. Painting or drawing does not require any particular co-ordination. These are skills that can be learned – it’s true! You simply need some time and the interest. 10. It’s less scary than sky diving, and the fun lasts longer too – o.k. – that would be my website tag line. So many reasons to love painting! I’m sure I missed some – let me know in the comments – thanks! Drawing and painting classes are starting in March and in April. Here’s the link… Art Classes – won’t you join us? 

Great article about creativity, here’s the link – “What Being Creative Really Means” – Thanks to Dan James at A Big Creative Yes.