Monday, September 2, 2013

Creative Influences


I took on the rearing of a puppy dog this summer and blogging had to go on the back burner.  It had been ten years since my last puppy and I’d forgotten how much work it was.  While my intention was to get down to work in front of the easel for hours every day, which is my usual schedule; the task at hand was to keep an eye on this new addition to the household and everything chewable—shoes, wires, paintbrushes, even the corners of a few frames lying around propped up against walls either waiting to go out for hanging somewhere or home from another show.

What came from not being able to be in front of the easel was surprisingly an unexpected surge in creative thinking, sort of a downtime from actually pushing paint around at the end of a brush.  Standing aside from what we usually do can open the door to new direction and that was what I noticed when I could again focus back in my studio.  I found I had new eyes.  Looking at previous works I wanted to right wrongs, adapt my colours, apply theories I’d neglected.  Really, really look at my paintings, critically! 

I am not suggesting that one get a puppy if you need a fresh start with your work but if all else fails, stand back awhile, study art books, get back to basics about theory and what constitutes a successful painting.   Become a student again.  Sometimes a step backwards IS a step forward! 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

ARTISTS - IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A NAG!

Stalking the Long-Shadows in Maui
Anybody out there notice that after taking some time off for a vacation it’s hard to get back into the routine of painting?
If you are like me and still on “Island” time, with the sounds of an ocean lapping onto shores, palm trees rustling overhead, dancing on sand that’s too hot for bare feet, or have just experienced the ultimate silence at the summit of a mountain peaked high with snow, flakes licking your face, it is hard to get back to work.  Creatively I’m eager and poised but it’s that darn start point that blocks me up.  The “Avoidance Technique” is in high gear!
When I was reminded of information relating to setting up a schedule to assist me using the “Pomodoro Technique” (re: Robert Genn Twice Weekly and Liz Witzen’s Blog) I got myself an app for my iPhone called NAG.  It does just that!!  It is made for people like me who, when a timer goes off and ends, just ignores it.  Well with this app…..good luck!  It will continue to nag at intervals with whatever ringtone you have chosen until you actually turn it off.  Thus your eyes and hands consequently get disconnected from your work.
NAG and Pomodoro are now my new friends.   It will allow me to delve into a pressing daily schedule of painting necessary to meet upcoming shows and events.  For the Pomodoro Technique set a timer for working in blocks of twenty minutes and after five minutes of rest for the eyes or rolling shoulders to relax muscles, re-set the timer and resume painting for another twenty minutes and so on. 
Rev up your juices, reduce intimidation in getting started, provide a period of focus for creativity interspersed with a few minutes to sit back and goof off.  Ultimately the goal of a productive session of painting is behind you.
With a mind set for change and discipline this should help get over being jammed post-vacation or having to recover after some previous disappointment in the studio.  If nothing else it reduces the pull of all that awaits doing around the house.  Currently I’m being beckoned by the dryer-done-signal urging me to take out the clothes but alas with Pomodoro in charge I have no intention of putting down my brushes until my five minutes of break begin.