Category: Creativity

I live this odd imbalance between creative chaos and organization. Granted, these characteristics don’t usually reside together on the same day. I may have several creative chaos days in a row, but then the need to organize kicks in, and the paints get put back into their proper place – sometimes very briefly. It’s a little like waves on the beach – you know they are going to surge forward again. I would say that creative chaos is my most common painting mode these days. Letting go of expectations, even of subjects, I get the canvas covered with colour and see what might arrive. One time sunflowers came to be on the canvas, another time it was horses, ancient ruins a few times, and most recently a rabbit appeared. I am welcoming to most subjects that want to visit my canvas, with the notable exception of spiders. What about you – does your creative mode have a chaotic or organizational emphasis? 

Starting the week off with a link to a great article by Skinny Artist. I love what he has to say about quantity versus quality. Take a moment to read, you just may be in for a surprise! Here’s the link: “Creating the Artist, Not the Art“. 

Some things have a way of causing a sense of awe to well up inside me – such as those amazing photos from deep space, the deep stillness by a mountain lake – and your amazing voice. “What?”, you say. Do I even know you? I actually don’t have to. Here’s the thing. Everyone has a very unique individual voice. Not necessarily the one you talk with, although those are special too – I’m thinking of the one you create with. In creative arts, painting is what I’m most acquainted with. Imagine this – a class of 14 students. Let’s say they are pretty new into art and so I’m helping them step-by-step through a painting – carefully giving colour and technique instructions. At the end of the class we set the 14 paintings against the wall – and guess what? NONE of them look the same! Each bears the stamp of the unique individual who created it! Then as students get more proficient, their individual voice gets even stronger. How amazing that we should each have our own distinctive creative voice! I think I have one of the best jobs ever, helping people discover this. What do you think? Do you know that you have an amazing voice? 

I was delighted to see the current Picasso exhibit at Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario last week. It’s a wonderful overview consisting of paintings that he did not want to sell, or purchased back in order to have a ‘diary’ of his work. I really enjoyed it even though Picasso isn’t one of my favourite artists. And somehow it struck me as a bit funny that, by the end of the exhibit, faces split into two profiles and body parts in seemingly odd places really didn’t seem so strange at all anymore. The show is on until Aug 26th if you are wanting to see it. 

For all you artists in London Ontario and area – I just saw sunflowers in some local grocery stores! Happy painting – woohoo!! 

The stats say so. We have a tendency to overate ourselves. Apparently the vast majority of people think that they are great drivers, and better than average at sex. I’m not good with math, but I can see that 90% of people thinking they are better than average at anything, just doesn’t work with the numbers. Now, I’m sure you’d rather I talked about sex, but I’m going to take this overrating thing, and apply it to art. Let’s suppose, and I don’t know for sure how wide spread this is, but let’s suppose that some artists suffer from this too – thinking that their art is better than it actually is. What kind of things can we do to avoid this trap? First suggestion: learn to recognize your honest critics. These folks are few and far between – so if you find one, cultivate asking for their opinion. They don’t have to be knowledgeable about art techniques. They are the ones who say, “hmmm, really don’t like this one”. Or, “that area sure feels awkward”. No one in your life like that? Maybe you could to go to some art groups or art classes or retreats and network with other artists. And even in those situations, people are mostly very polite and supportive, so you will need to encourage honest responses. Finally, get exposed to the great art from history. Not only is it inspiring, but it’s hard not to be humbled in the presence of so much greatness that has gone before us. Now, it would be wrong not to mention that I have also seen the opposite problem – those who make great art and don’t see that it is. But that would be another blog post. 

A recent writing by Canadian artist Robert Genn used this interesting phrase – or something similar. I think all artists have it. For me, it’s the stocking up of paint when it goes on sale. Naturally I tell myself I’m saving money. And I do eventually use it all, finding myself amazed to be running out of my favourite phthalo again. I think collage artists get it the worst. When you get into collage, dollar stores become gold mines. Glitter and so very many interesting small items that could be adhered to a canvas to make a fascinating image. Scraps of various types of papers wander into your home and start accumulating. Really, when you get into collage, nothing in the house is safe from being glued onto an image. Too much fun! Do you have Artist’s Hoarding Disorder? What items do you hoard? 

It’s wonderful to be following your dream and doing what you are passionate about – in my case, painting. Yet there are challenges to being an artist by profession that may not be obvious at first glance. For example, painting is a high energy activity for me. I keep the brush moving, and I think hard! Much as I love it, painting is not something that I tend to do when tired. So I need to plan my best time of day to do my painting. Other issues are common with those who are self employed. Such as – it’s hard to find a balance with work time and family and friend time. Still, there’s so much to be thankful for – a job I love passionately, and supportive family and friends who understand the unusual hours I sometimes keep. What about you other artists out there – what are your challenges? 

How to Find Your Purpose and Do What You Love – by Maria Popova This is a bit of a longer read, but lots of interesting ideas are presented. The video on this page is pretty good too – although it’s 16 minutes long, so if you don’t have time for that, I recommend just reading the article. Any artistic soul will be touched by something in this article, and likely several things.