Tag: art classes

Posted on in art, ideas, Inspiration, Process

awesome april (day 3) – putting it out there

One of the strangest dichotomies of being an artist is the constant need to “express yourself” and the constant fear of “putting it out there.”

I’ve been making art for a long time, and I still struggle with this.  Sometimes when I enter a new juried show, or approach a gallery about showing my work,  I get a little knot in my stomach about how I’m going to be perceived, and wonder if I’ll be accepted or rejected.  (Just keeping it real).  I do something similar when I’m making art sometimes, too, especially if it’s outside of the box.  I’ll have this great idea, and then talk myself out of it before I even start (my “censor” gets the best of me).  But I have also learned that when I have that feeling, it means I’m stepping out of my comfort zone, and that’s a good thing.  I’ve just got to push through the fear and cross into the unknown.

Michelle's painting in progress
a detail of Michelle’s painting in progress

On Thursdays, I have three adult students that come to the studio to paint.  They’re all at different experience levels and backgrounds, all with different interests. One common thread we’ve all found is that sometimes it’s just hard to get started.  The potential that a blank canvas holds can be exhilarating and daunting.  The drawing is on the canvas, but there is no color yet.  And then you jump in.

Michelle has been working on a gorgeous painting, using the palette knife to apply her paint.  She was telling me today how she once took a class, and admired how one of the other students seemed to effortlessly apply the paint with a palette knife, and how she felt like she would never be able to do that.  But now, after giving it a shot, (and some practicing), she can, too.  And she does it well!  This is still a work in progress, but she is doing an outstanding job of layering the colors with her palette knife, finding that balance of creating a realistic image while keeping the expressive scrapes of the knife.

Tatiana work in progress
Tatiana’s work in progress

It was also fun to watch Jo and Tatiana today, as they got started on new paintings. At first, the blankness of the canvas was a bit intimidating, but once they started, they were so happy with what they had done.

And I was very impressed with them, too — look at those colors and expressive lines!

Jo's work in progress
Jo’s work in progress

A good start. (Thanks, ladies for letting me share your works in progress – for letting me put it out here!)

So now I’m going to log off and submit work for a new show – one that pushes me into the unknown.  Wish me luck.

 

 

Posted on in art, ideas, Inspiration, Life, Process

let’s play

“Serious art is born from serious play.”

 – Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

"Be Still"

One book that has seriously changed the way I view myself as an art-maker and a human is Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.    Once I completed the book (much like a 12-step program for recovering artists), my mindset had been changed forever.  No longer was I waiting around for someone else to give me permission to be what I wanted to be.  And I learned to let my art be a form of play, not so much work.

I’m starting a series of art classes based on this principle of play, using a variety of media to inspire my students to let themselves actually have a good time while making art.

I believe you can use the skills and techniques of art to communicate your ideas, but without the element of play, the art lacks soul.  Allowing yourself to play allows you to use the part of your brain that you don’t control.  Think about kids and their imaginations.   Let’s get back to that again.

For more information on my classes, visit www.freshpaints.com/classes.  I will start another series after the New Year, so check back for new class schedules.  Let me know if you’d like to join me.

 “Creativity requires faith. Faith requires that we relinquish control.”   ―  Julia Cameron.