Same trail along Clear Creek. Different location.
I’m pushing myself to get more art done.
More art sometimes means less words.
Trail Study #8
8″x10″
oil on panel
Summer is here, and it’s hard not to get outside. Considering it got to 98 yesterday, best to get out in the morning.
Trail Study #7
8″x10″
oil on panel
No art today, but some cool links.
I’ve been pondering and reading about creativity lately, or, it keeps popping up in front of me. Couple that with Alyson Stanfield opening up the question of the effectiveness of goals in her ArtBizBlog last week. The question I’ve been toying with is: Can structured goals and the freewheeling of creating new ideas work together or are they diametrically opposed?
I’ve been rereading a book by Twyla Tharp (yes, the choreographer) called The Creative Habit. She talks about her own creative process and has boiled it down to a number of strategies and behaviors that fuel her inspiration.
Nothing is ever easy (otherwise everybody would be doing it!) and dichotomies abound. Structure (processes), rituals (baseball pitchers and golfers have these), and goals (we all got ‘em) vs. scratching for ideas, improvisation, accidents, and letting go of planning. Can these all work together?
I’m finding it’s a matter of carefully balancing the two. As Twyla Tharp writes, “Before you can think out of the box, you have to have a box”.
I know everyone works differently, I’d love to hear your take: When creating something new, does structure get it done? Do you seek out inspiration or must you wait for it to hit you?
Ok, that’s the thought-provoking stuff, here’s the fun. Speaking of creativity, you gotta check this out…. (click on the title)
Animator vs Animation by Alan Becker
For those of us who believe their computer has a life of it’s own. (When you click the link, just hit start, move your courser to the side and leave it alone. Just watch.) What a creative entertaining work of art!
Since the show last week I’ve been crossing “to do’s” off The List.
When something needs to be done that I’m not going to do right this very moment, it goes on The List. We all have them in some form: sometimes written, but always in mental notes. They can be big things or little things, things to do with work or pleasure, home, family, friends, whatever.
The reason they go on The List is because I don’t have the time to get to them at the moment. The thing takes longer, takes research, takes miles, takes planning or takes decision-making. Maybe they’re time consuming, maybe wasn’t sure how to do or have never done before, or maybe involve difficult decisions. Depending on the urgency, some tasks have been on The List for weeks, months and even years.
Even though these things have been on The List, they are still taking up …..uh…… I guess mental energy is the best term I can think of. That means even though they are written on the The List, they’re still on my mind. And if something is still on your mind, that makes it harder to give 100% to what you’re doing. We all know what it’s like to try to do something and still be juggling a dozen or so plates in your head. Mental clutter.
This is discussed at length by author David Allen in his book, Getting Things Done, (one of my favorites, I highly recommend!) along with strategies to work through this mental clutter. My favorite quote from the book (and I refer to many times)
“There is usually an inverse proportion between how much something is on your mind and how much it’s getting done.”
– David Allen, author of Getting Things Done.
This past week, I’ve been getting things off my mind and off The List. Small things in and of themselves, but each has been on The List and in the mental clutter for up to 3 years. It’s about time I got to them.
- Replaced the kitchen faucet
- Documented my current Art Inventory
- Fixed the lawnmower
- Cleared some piles
- Stripped old paint off of air duct vents
- got car fixed and tuned-up
- Created new, more workable list of Art Contacts
- Drill and install knobs on kitchen cabinets
- Planted the last of the seeds
- Filed 6 months of paperwork
(not counting the usual full-time job and life things)
How do you handle your lists? Sure does make you feel productive to get old things crossed off The List. I still have things to do, but it’s amazing how much clearer things get; better have another glass of wine.
Long Stemmed Rose’
16″x12″
oil on canvas
Ah yes, summer is nearly upon us.
A big thank you to all who cheered me on last weekend at the 2008 Summer Art Market both in person and in spirit from a distance. We were blessed with good weather and that brought out the crowds. Sales were good and feedback was tremendous.
The past two days I’ve been catching up on neglected responsibilities: animals, house, bookkeeping, gardening, etc. So, sit back, regroup and prepare for the next adventure. And while you’re at it, enjoy another glass or two of wine.
Second Pair of Glasses (sold)
12″x12″
oil on canvas
I’ve been madly trying to paint lots in prep for an art show. It’s time again for the Art Students’ League of Denver Summer Art Market!
The outdoor Summer Art Market will be on June 14th - 15th, from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm each day. See the works of 200+ artists! There’ll be food and music to boot; join us for the fun and frivolities! I’ll be in Booth #11, so stop by and say hello!
I just love taking classes at the League with such knowledgeable staff of working artists. I’ve worked with John Lencicki, Rob Gratiot, and most recently Kevin Weckbach (more on that in future posts); and I’ve only scratched the surface.
A bit of history from the Art Students’ League of Denver website:
Modeled on the famous Art Students League of New York, Denver’s League first opened its doors in 1987 in the Lower Platte Valley with a handful of recognized artists teaching over one hundred students within its first year of operation. Today, located in the historic Sherman School in the West Washington Park area at 200 Grant Street, it engages over 600 students a month and attracts close to 60 noted artists to teach its diverse fine arts classes.
And about the renowned Art Student’s League of New York from their website:
Founded in 1875, the Art Students League has been instrumental in shaping America’s legacy in the fine arts. Many renowned artists - Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollack, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and Norman Rockwell among them - have honed their skills at the League, which is dedicated to sustaining the great tradition of training artists.
Established by artists for artists, and continuing to hold to its founding principles, the League is an atelier school in which the language of art is taught and developed through immersion in the practices of drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and assemblage. With an emphasis on mastering skills and visual thinking, students engage in the process of making art. The format of ongoing classes allows students to learn at their own pace and from prominent artists who have a range of artistic philosophies and approaches. They also learn from their fellow students, many of whom have years of experience and add to the rich atelier learning environment.
The League offers the finest quality of art education for students at all levels. There are no prerequisites for enrollment or membership. By dedicating its tuition fees and a significant portion of its endowment to underwriting the cost of instruction, the League ensures that all who wish to attend can do so at affordable cost.
If you are interested in taking classes, whether you are experienced or just testing the waters, the Art Students’ League of Denver is a wonderful place to explore new worlds.
Sometimes all it takes is a good pair of glasses to see a little clearer.
Pair of Glasses
12″x9″
oil on panel
It’s Memorial Day here in the US, a day to remember those who have died while serving our country. Please take a moment to back away from the barbecue and pay respect those who lost their lives. Try 3:00 local time for a Moment of Remembrance.
Lately I’ve been painting more; smaller pieces mostly to build my painting muscles. No, I haven’t been keeping to an hour like I spoke about previously, but not spending forever on a piece continually nit-picking details either.
Just working through straight to the core of what the painting is all about. Been stuck on apples lately.
Two Apples
8″x10″
oil on panel
Here’s another quick-paint; about 120 mins.
Hmmmmmmm. I’m hungry.
Aerial Gala (sold)
8″x10″
oil on panel
