The creative process is different for every artist, and so personal of a thing, it can almost be hard to totally encompass. In my blog post this week, I will talk about the prominent parts of my creative process and give you a look into my studio as it currently is. You'll also get to see some progress shots of the amazing and LARGEST mandala I've ever worked on! And I will talk a bit about how I actively try to keep it together while working so hard to get my art career off the ground, pay the bills, and learn to do all the things in between.
I am so very excited about the new path my artwork seems to be taking me down, and all the new adventures that await me! When I am painting, it feels like I am exploring; both myself and the artwork that lies within the paper. My creative process is as much emotional as it is physical, and through bettering my artwork with practice I also better my self. Though I may not be actively thinking of my joys or my problems while making the artwork, I can see them show up in my marks and my compositions. Because of this I know that in some way, working on these mandalas and using other repetitive marks in my works is helping me to work on my own inner balance.
When I sit down to begin on a new painting, I am always so full of inspiration and excitement for the work that lies ahead. Ready to face the challenges unique to the individual artwork I am about to create. This energy is a great way to get a jumpstart to a piece... but it can hit a wall quickly. This usually happens when I get too many ideas, or hit an area that I'm not sure how to fill. This becomes the perfect time to procrastinate a little bit and do some "visual research" via browsing Pinterest, Tumblr, and other such visual inspirations (Click here to read my Inspirations post from last week! WARNING: Heavy image usage ahead!). After spending some time browsing images of some incredible art, and convincing myself that I will be happy no matter the outcome, inspiration strikes again. With my creative energies re-ignited I will get another large portion of the artwork finished. And after that it's just a race to the finish so I can excitedly begin the next one! | My steps to completing a painting:
|
Having a comfortable, engaging workspace and environment is a very important element to any process. I have a comfy chair, I keep a heater or fan nearby depending on the season, and I have a small Kindle set up with some speakers. My Kindle is a great tool in my studio, aside from providing background entertainment via Spotify, Netflix, and audiobooks, I use it to look up inspirations and take short breaks. When I am in the studio I always have some upbeat, but not distracting, music playing or a show that I can easily go without actually viewing (since my eyes are always busy elsewhere). I enjoy many styles of music and shows, but I know that not all of them are good for my creativity, I do my best work to some Tranquil Beats and Hip-hop/RnB type tunes. My recent FAVORITE album to paint to is Emancipator's "Dusk to Dawn" (click to hear on Spotify).On a rare day... I like the silence.
It can get exhausting being an artist and putting so much energy into our creative process. This is why it is so important to remember to "feed your creative beast" (a phrase I learned at the Right Brainers in Business Video Summit). I do this by taking breaks, having personal projects that I work on along side of "work" projects, and by rewarding myself for work well done. Remembering to fill the creative well back up helps to keep it from running dry which feels like burn-out. Practice, Play, Push and Pace yourself.
It can get exhausting being an artist and putting so much energy into our creative process. This is why it is so important to remember to "feed your creative beast" (a phrase I learned at the Right Brainers in Business Video Summit). I do this by taking breaks, having personal projects that I work on along side of "work" projects, and by rewarding myself for work well done. Remembering to fill the creative well back up helps to keep it from running dry which feels like burn-out. Practice, Play, Push and Pace yourself.
Like the mandala... my creative process is a work in progress. I am still learning what works better for me and what simply doesn't. As well as still figuring out the process, I am still figuring out what works with my artistic life and what doesn't. As an emerging young artist in my area, I have sought out many opportunities to take part in and strengthen the artist community around me. This involves work with The Ashland Gallery Association, a nearly full-time job at a custom picture framing shop, as well as my own endeavors (such as AMP) and art shows. All of these things require a lot of energy and working hours, and to balance it all requires some skill. I'm still working on that part, but for now I am keeping it all together and moving forward. One thing I know for sure... Yoga is a must.
Look what I did!
One of the ways I keep it all together, is by playing with my hair. For the last two years I was growing out my hair (which was only a mohawk by the way... a super long one!) and it was finally time for me to get it cut off. It was driving me crazy, I enjoy short hair a LOT more! So just last night I had my dear friend and Hair Goddess, Kristina of Imp and Petal dreads, cut and dye my hair back to my beloved pink. I am just so happy about it, and it feels good to put my crazy hair growth toward something good. Oh yeah and I'm reppin' my favorite local band, Ol' Mount'n Due... you gotta check them out!
Come back on March 16th for my next Topic!
Have a topic or post suggestion you'd like to see me post? Let me know or comment below!
Here is my (very malleable) schedule for upcoming blog posts:
-March 16th: Featured artist:____________ (tbd)
-March 23rd: ARTicle - TBD...
-March 30th: BIRTHDAY BLOG! (A reflection on 28 years of living a creative life)
Here is my (very malleable) schedule for upcoming blog posts:
-March 16th: Featured artist:____________ (tbd)
-March 23rd: ARTicle - TBD...
-March 30th: BIRTHDAY BLOG! (A reflection on 28 years of living a creative life)