INDEX of articles written mainly for Tuggerah Lakes Art Society Newsletter in 2020:-
The Macgyver Creed
A Moto for Painting
Quotes from Artists
Doing Something New
Fear
Bite sized ideas to digest
Landscape Metaphor for the Journey of an Artist
Mistakes
Back to Creativity in the New Year
Perfectionism
The Artist's Date
The Dark Gift
Design Elements
Stages of Creating
Mirrows and Windows
My Short Biography
Turning Stuck to Stoked
Art & Creativity
Art Sayings
A Swimming Metaphor
Points to look for when judging a painting
Wabi-sabi
5 Secrets to unleash you creative (according to the Modern Met.com.)
The MacGyver Creed Hands up who used to watch MacGyver (played by Richard Dean Anderson) on TV in the 1990s. The "good guy" with lovely hair, fighting crime. He would invariably get into a sticky situation but by applying his scientific knowledge using ordinary items he could create a means of escape from his impending doom. Well maybe we would all do well to live by the MacGyver Creed which is as follows:- I will keep my spirits high and stay confident that – no matter how bad things look – I really do have access to whatever it takes to make it through. This surely applies to making and painting etc. No matter how bad it looks at the moment, I will stop, stay calm, step back, look and think. Then keep making and painting until I make it through.
A Moto to paint by
Just because you didn’t mean to do it doesn’t make it a mistake.
Art is not for the timid.
Just do It. Keep it simple. Focus. No fear.
Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.
I think I can.
Feel the Fear and do it anyway.
Do what you love. Love what you do.
Look for art and it will appear.
Run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.
Have a non-attachment to outcome.
Don’t overthink it.
Be…dream…play.
Be bold and fearless.
Make powerful work with a meaningful message.
Everything is possible after a good night’s sleep.
How much fun can I have?
No mistakes. No penalty. My artistic life is incidental to the absolute law of harmony.
Let your heart be your guide. Let your true colours shine. Let your art SHOW.
What about you? What would be your art Moto? To be honest my favourite is “Everything is possible after a good night’s sleep.” I’d also have to add “and after something to eat.”
Quotes from artists.
“Risk it all and make it an honest conversation.” - Jeane Myers.
“Stop thinking. Just do it.” – Elizabeth Bunsen.
“One: Be authentic. Two: If you cannot solve a problem, change the question.” – Nettie Edwards.
“Do what you love. Love what you do. Do something creative every day, no matter what.” – Leighanna Light.
“Don’t try to fit into an idea or style that isn’t yours. Create what you like. Create for yourself.” – Rachel Whetzel.
“Making art is the solution to every problem, the answer to every question and healing balm to all that ails.” – Anca Gray.
“Turn your painting upside down as a way to force a cognitive shift from left-brain to right-hemisphere drawing.” – Trudi Sissons.
“Work every day.” – Dorothy Simpson Krause.
“Presentation has a huge effect on how your work is received - whether it’s the frame, the varnish or the small details.” – Jason Lott.
“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisee.
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso.
Doing something New. Dear Editor, I wanted to ask your readers about the concept of DOING SOMETHING NEW.
I’ve been thinking about the benefits of “getting out of the rut,” “spreading my horizons,” “opening ones’ eyes,” reasons to “get off my butt” and to “get out there.” Does anyone know the reason, the scientific explanation, why being pro-active in personal change is heathy?
Let’s face it, change happens around us probably all the time. Coping with life’s changing set-backs in health or relationships can be a big struggle and I’m certainly not suggesting we go find these types of challenges. I’m thinking about small, little bits of “good” change. Things that are under one’s control and help improve life. Then maybe when something big side swipes me I am more capable to handle it.
Seasons. Winter cloths get packed away and out come the old summer ones to see what will fit. Purchasing a new season outfit feels good. Walking the narrow line between wasteful excess and the fresh feel of not having to only wear “old” cloths. Another example that is current - our Art Society is changing venues for 2020 monthly meetings. “Something new” sparks a host of thoughts and feelings.
My opinion, and I’m interested in yours, is that it’s a good idea to try to do something new each week. Little things like - drive a different way to your destination, think of new foods to eat, people to meet, topics and mediums to use in your painting, a new café to visit even if it’s in another suburb, etc. Take a break from your routine in some way. I’m suggesting this may open your mind and eyes to new horizons, expand your vision and perhaps let the energy, creativity and joy flow.
Is there any new thing you have done recently – small or big, especially after reading this article?
Fear– (Summary from February 2020, Tuggerah Lakes Art Society meeting by Karen Williams.)
Fear has many masks. Procrastination. Shyness. Laziness. Blocked. Perfectionism, etc. Fear (the liar) can spring from your inner critic saying you are pretending, you have little or notalent,never good enough. It can turn a temporary block into a wall and grow un-real expectations. Also, (from thinking too much about how others view your work and you making comparisons) it can question if the viewer will understand,accept and approve of you and your art style. Fear, once recognized, can be cut down to size and is no longer an enemy but a motivator - your NEW SUPER POWER. “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Suggested resource to read- “Art & Fear” by David Bayles & Ted Orland
Bite sized ideas to digest
A dance with fear is better than stopping your enjoyment of creating.
Be brave.
Listen to yourself and what your art is saying to you.
Makes lots of art, often, warts and all.
Don’t let your art be reduced to what you imagine your audience would like.
Whatever talent you have is what you need to produce your best work (your skills develop.)
Perfectionism NOT welcome because to be human is to error and art is human.
If talent is a pre-requisite it may get someone off the starting blocks faster but this is no guarantee they will finish first or finish at all.
The gap between your work and what you meant to make, that interaction between idea and creation, is what locks your art into the real world and gives meaning to both.
Landscape Metaphor for the Journey of an Artist. By Karen Williams
I happened upon this interesting concept of thinking about the creative life as if you were travelling through a landscape painting. You can imagine this painting could have a forest, a dry desert, mountains, a river which flows fast then slower, and grassland. The concept can also apply to the process of creating one art piece but to keep things simple let’s think in terms of the life of an artist over time.
Beginnings – Can you remember your first painting or art piece that you made? Remember your first sale? Did you then begin to take your art more seriously? You may have felt excited and energized full of new ideas but then did fear show up? Fear of change, the unknown, comparing yourself to others. Were you very apologetic “I’m just a beginner.” “I’m not an artist.”
River – Did you jump right in and start painting. Took classes, joined a society or did you just dip one toe in to see, saying “I didn’t have the time to paint much.” You may have had that drowning, overwhelming feeling and found yourself in the fast current and rough rapids. Maybe there were times when the river make you feel “in the flow,” released from expectations, off to new places, on an adventure. Then came reflective pools of understanding or were they stagnate, deep and murky places of questioning?
You can start to see where I’m headed - that each environment or stage of art/life has experiences that can feel negative and/or positive to you.
Forrest – could be a time when you enjoyed the shelter of a safe place to heal and be revived in the cool or did it feel dark, like a maize and you lost your purpose.
Desert – a place of peace, simplicity providing time to think or was the desert experience hot, dry, barren wasteland where you felt useless.
The Mountain – started with a lovely walk through the gentle foothills which grew into the challenge of going two steps forward and one back. Suddenly it was all too hard to climb, too high, too dangerous. Did you push on or give up? Hopefully you felt the fresh air, saw the view, a vision, the big picture which helped you re-gain your strength.
Grassland - where the gentle breeze whispers "all is calm," in the shade of the trees. Where seeds of past experiences grow and it’s time to give back and share your skills with others in community. Were you surprised you began to “flat line,” feel like you had been put out to pasture and felt bored and useless.
The artistic process is not a straight journey down the river, through the forest, crossing a desert to climb a mountain where you then reach the grassland destination. It more like the unexpected traversing between the different environments, repeatedly. Each circumstance surely makes us stronger or at least more experienced. Sometimes we get to choose our situation and other times we don’t, BUT, every time we do get to choose our (negative or positive) attitude.
MISTAKES
“Well, there’s a right and a wrong way to do anything. But only one of those will lead you to amazing new discoveries.” (Hint, it’s the second one.) - Maria Rios. I agree with the philosophy that just because you didn’t mean to do it doesn’t make it’s a mistake. I wonder if the term “mistake” would be better described as – happy accidents, exploration, catalyst for milestones, foundation for depth, unexpected surprise, paths to new directions.
Do you fear “making a mistake?” Do you threw away a piece of art as soon as it doesn’t go to plan? Maybe you have found “mistakes” a natural part of your art process, essential to learning and in fact critical to your creative growth.
I think Seth Apter says it well – “ As I have more and more experience with making mistakes, I have learned to embrace them and even hope for them. While initially frustrating, dealing with mistakes is a creative challenge that is often educational, inspirational and confidence building. They very often lead to better art.”
Does the same principle apply to most things in life?
Back into Creativity in the New year. New beginnings. What to paint? Same old same old like last year. Nothing coming to you. No ideas. Feeling a little stuck (which may just be a rest period which we all need) May I make some suggests to get you back into your creativity?
GET INPUT – youtube and the web will flood you with new ideas. Maybe look to participate in Community groups,(Tuggerah Lakes Monthly Meeting) and workshops (Wed painting Group), Monday painting out of doors group, find a mentor. Go “art idea” hunting. EXPLORE & EXPERIMEMT - Safe & Comfortable doesn’t make a good life, have fun and have a go. BE YOURSELF - Think of what you want to do and not necessarily what is expected of you. Be brave to try then NO “U” TURNS - once you have made a start remember not to chicken out. HABITS – keep those good habits happening, regular rituals, not procrastinating. AFFIRMATIONS not Perfectionism. Be kind to yourself with positive self-talk. MOVE YOUR BODY – sometimes dancing around to music will get you started or a walk out of doors. SHOW UP – Creating is about Devotion not Discipline. You may have to show some self-control and just say START – get up, get going and just try what is in your heart.
PERFECTIONISM Definitions of Perfectionism, according to Word Thesaurus, are thoroughness, strictness, diligence, precision, exactness, fastidiousness. Excellent qualities. Very import if you are in certain situations like calculating radiation dose for cancer patients, an architecture drawing plans or making something that will go like clockwork etc, Nothing wrong with trying hard to reach your goals but are you satisfied when you do?
Thinking of painting, making and other hands-on creativity:- Human is to error - Art is to error Human is flawed - Art making is flawed Human is imperfect - Not perfect is a common ingredient in art.
A person may say, “I have high standards. I’m trying to get it right. I know what I want and I’m fixing it before I go any further.” Maybe “it’s” really a refusal to let yourself move ahead out of an obsessive loop, out of a debilitating closed system that gets you stuck in the details. Maybe you are really motivated from a desire to control maybe feelings of being inferior or from the fear of failure. You may think you are humble while you verbally demean yourself but could it be egotism and pride that is motivating your trying to be perfect. EQUATION for the perfectionist mindset - Good work = perfect work = big trouble.
The extreme perfectionist -
Has married the logic side of the brain.
Critic reigns supreme.
No first draughts, rough sketches and warm ups.
Everything is final and set in stone.
You start and maintain a concept with precision descriptions.
Mistakes are the enemy and would NEVER think of saying “this may turn out good, I’ll keep going.”
Not a quest for your best instead of a pursuit for the worst.
Never satisfied and always room for improvement.
Cling to your desire to be great even if it's counter productive.
Nothing will ever be good enough so “try again” or “don’t bother to even start.”
TIPS to move a few degrees towards the joy of creating:-
See the bigger picture - shift your focus to what's important to maximising the impact of your work not on spending time on insignificant details. Recognize when to stop fiddling and changing.
Start with a different frame of mind. Have a more flexible outcome not so pre-determined. Through the process use your imagination, let things change, experiment and play with diversity.
Make art, warts and all. Without warts it is not clear what you would be, but clearly you wouldn’t be one of us.
The seed to your next arty creation lies embedded in the imperfection of your current art piece.
It is precisely this interaction between “the ideal” and “the real” that locks your art into the real world and gives meaning to both.
Perhaps getting imput about your progress from a trusted fellow artist will give you the confidence that your work is going better than you thought.
Learn to recognise when you are over thinking and gently remind yourself of these points above. Healthy, positive self-talk.
Research the Japanese term “Wabi Sabi.” (appreciating beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete" in nature.)
(Thoughts of Karen Williams, following on from Feb discussion meeting on Fear- resource - from “Art & Fear” by David Bayles & Ted Orland.)
The Artist Date. I came upon this concept while studying “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. My first impression – what a narcistic time waster, to take yourself on a “date.” But I realised that time-out, by yourself, to nurture, grow and re-assess is wonderfully powerful and healing to body, mind and soul. While on my dates I find being in control of my decisions is so precious. Although along I am not lonely. Time is mine to think, focus on art, to be refreshed and stimulated creatively.
The rules are simply. Plan a regular time to go out, by yourself, to anywhere your heart desires for at least an hour or more. Put your date in your diary, then beware of self-sabotage. (Pressure to cancel. Others wanting to join you. Feelings of guilt. Excuses.)
Pre-think and plan where to go – anywhere from an art gallery, nature walk (collecting or just enjoying,) hunting in art supply or second-hand shops, to the movies or a local café. It’s your choice.
Tools - you may decide to take paper and pen or drawing pencils, camera, collection bag. (Leave your phone alone.)
If you manage a one hour date regularly how about upgrading to the occasional extended date. Maybe a weekend at a yoga retreat, city hotel etc. How good would that be? By Karen Williams
The Dark Gift dark gift - definition – an unpleasant experience that comes your way.
You have received it although you didn’t want it. You didn’t ask for it and you’d rather not have it. It doesn’t even seem fair, yet here it is, your “dark gift.” It could be anything from a disappointment (something didn’t go as planned) or on the opposite end of the scale, (having a debilitating birth defect.) It could be any one of a multitude of situations in between. This is all part of being human and living in communities with others. Then add in fate, accidents and the unexplainable. What have you experienced lately? Lockdown from a pandemic. The ageing process. Strained or broken relationships. Maybe just the frustration of a painting that won’t go right.
Dylan Alcott plays champion tennis and basketball in a wheelchair.
Nick Vujicic, born without limbs, found his place and a way to help others as a motivational speaker and founder of “Life without Limbs.”
Michelangelo was still chiselling, hammering and painting until he was almost 89 despite trouble with his hands and feet.
Picasso’s dyslexia and bouts of depression didn’t stop him from being so creative.
Van Gogh’s epilepsy and bipolar disorder provided him with his unique way of seeing the world.
Matisse continued making art until his death, picking up the scissors to cut and glue paper from his wheelchair after his cancer surgery.
Monet’s failing eyesight didn’t stop him from painting walls of beautiful water lilies.
Currently there are many fantastic artists who belong to a group called, Mouth & Foot Painting Artist Pty Ltd. because of their circumstances they paint by using their mouth or feet.
The list of people who have used their “dark gifts” in a positive way could be endless. Therefore, my resolve is to embrace my “dark gifts” and let them help me do better, be better and improve. I resolve to not let opportunities pass me by but find a way to use them all, the good and the bad. I hope I don't squander my next “dark gift."
Design Elements By Karen Williams From listening to fellow artists I have formulated boxes to tick off (in my head) when making any type of art.
Opposites – incorporate variety to add interest. eg. if using mainly straight lines add in a curve. Think of opposites like - light/dark, busy/quiet, smooth/textured, heavy/transparent, big/small, hard and soft edges etc.
Thirds – Put any horizon (or a point of difference) a third of the way up or down. Vertical line/feature a third of the way across.
Three – repeat the same element three times around the work or put three similar elements in a cluster.
3D – achieve depth with - a vanishing point, shading, optical illusions, layers standing out from the flat surface.
Focal Point – a stronger area forms the main spot for the eye to visit - usually where vertical and horizonal thirds dissect.
Rest Area - an area for the eyes to rest.
Story - Ask “does the work tell a story?” Can you think of a narration?
Colour combinations – (the viewer is usually attracted by colour). Are they clean? Either bounce off each other or blend well together.
Balance – The placement of darker/lighter shades influences the feel of the work. Usually heavy features are lower in the work to “ground,” or around the edge as a boarder. Is one side/area well worked while the other side/area is too empty?
Well worked - Apart from the essential “eye rest/still” area, are there any larger areas of uninteresting sameness? Interrupt the perimeter so it’s not all the same.
Integration – elements complement each other, work together and are repeated throughout.
Line - How your eye travels around the work (not just across and off)
Stages of Creating By Karen Williams I’m always interested in what goes on in an arts' mind as they create. I have a feeling most creativities, whatever their art, follow similar stages as they work. The Circle of Creative could be a simplified outlining of these stages :– Great idea…. Not sure…… This is rubbish……. I’m rubbish…… This could work…… Great idea.
Detailing the process:–
The initial idea starts a great excited flurry of a start with things happening quickly, taking shape and the bare bones put in place.
Then it’s slow going from then on, until you finally finish, or at least stop not quite sure when enough is enough.
Along the process there are plenty of pauses to step back to view your work and think about it. Hang it in a prominent place that you can view it as you walk past it in your everyday life. Look at a photo of your work. Hang it upside down to view it from a different perspective. View it over your shoulder via a mirror.
Some pieces make you struggle more than others so they get an intermission of a period of time while you work on another.
There is the ugly stage where you have to tell yourself it’s a work in progress and resist throwing it in the bin and blaming yourself. It does look like rubbish and you feel like rubbish for making it.
Add and subtract - experimenting with putting more on in different ways and places then taking some off. Adding again. (Some work mediums are not so forgiving to allow you to do this.)
Lots of time to face fear and practice positive self-talk.
Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as the ugly duckling turns into a swan. (sorry for the cliches.)
Finally finished and then attention to the details on how to present it.
Short Biography emailed to Donna Cole at TLAS for the newsletter, along with 6 photos of my work. 29/5/18
I’ve discovered my passion is “Creativity.”
Upon reflection, my life has never been void of creating. As a young child and even through the busy parenting years, my hands found time to create – tapestry, macramé, crocheting, knitting etc. A move from Sydney to country Victoria had me involved in community crafts groups of patchwork and scrapbooking. It wasn’t until 2001, after taking an “Introduction to Art Course,” that I began painting with pastels.
The move to the Central Coast and joining local art societies, opened me to more art experiences. I was encouraged to exhibit and sell my paintings. I started to experiment with a variety of other paint mediums and different styles. Soon I was taking a more professional view of my work. This lead me to solo exhibitions, a web page and business cards followed by turning the downstairs area of my home into a gallery/studio space suitable for teaching and facilitating creative groups.
To continue my self-taught art education I researched artists from history and found inspiration from Picasso and the Impressionists. My favourite period was the Abstract Expressionism 1940 – 60, in New York, when Jackson Pollock, Willem De Kooning, Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still etc., were pushing the boundaries and painting fields of bold colour.
I continue to explore different ways I can express my inner artistic voice but I am no longer focused on producing work to exhibit and sell. Whether I use a pastel or pencil, brush and paint, a crochet hook and twine, a camera, pen and paper, textiles and needles or other tools and equipment, there still remains for me the importance of creativity.
The creative process connects me to my inner self as well as to others in community, which enables me to share skills, knowledge and my passion. I feel it is so important and beneficial for each person to find their own unique expression and discover the importance of creativity.
MIRROW & WINDOWS
MIRROWS are about looking inward and finding self-expression in your creativity. WINDOWS are about looking out into the community and the world.
MIRROWS -
Expressing yourself.
Find joy
Find our own voice.
Find value and worth.
Find our uniqueness.
WINDOWS -
Making art to complete a relationship with something outside yourself.
Wrestling with an idea
Commenting on injustices and problems you see in your world.
Turning “Stuck” into “Stoked” How do you move past the blocks in the creativity process? What circumstances have caused you to be stuck? How did you even get to this place of being stuck? Have you leant to dance with fear and make it an allied not the enemy? Is perfectionism your trap? The path to getting unstuck may not be as simple as the 10 points below but these suggestion may help in the process of getting unstuck - going from having zero to ten, from stuck to stoked.
START Never too late to start.
NO “U” TURMS No u Turns Allowed.
EXPLORE & EXPERIMEMT Safe & Comfortable doesn’t make a good life.
MOVE YOUR BODY Dance like no one is watching.
BE YOURSELF Ask a Better Question. You’ll get a better answer.
HABITS Good habits make a good life.
AFFIRMATIONS Perfectionism NOT welcome
SHOW UP Devotion not Discipline.
GET IN PUT Participate, Give Back, Share, Community.
SELF-NURTURE Be kind to yourself.
Art & Creativity We love to classify, categorise and group things. This is good because It gives us common ground in a discussion. It makes research easier. There are rules and it's organised and controlled. Examples in our everyday life could be found at the Library, shops, in your kitchen or garage and in the newspaper. We can see it’s wise to classify things but I’m suggesting the classification rules are changing or have changed and need to be more flexible. An example in the community is to be found in the construction of any new public toilet block - no more Male and Female separate categories..
The making of art has been around longer than the ART ESTABISHMENT. Cave painters, Potters, Weavers – baskets & textiles, Wood Carvers, Mosaic tilers, Stone masons, jewellery makers etc never thought of themselves as artists. The separation of ART from craftsmen is largely a POST-RENAISSAE concept and has continued into our modern times.
When we think of the term “THE ARTS” it not only includes visual artists but also refers to performing artists, including Musicians, Writers etc. Many of these areas are crossing over, multi disciplines, breaking the rules and blurring the classifications. Computers have certainly helped with this.
If we just think of the Visual Arts there is still a board rang. NAVA – National Association for the Visual Artist defines it as the work of original creative artists in all manner of media including but not limited to Painting, Sculpture, Print Making, Photography and The crafts. They have a vision a bigger picture than just painting.
I'm suggesting we think of Visual Art as being more extensive. Some of these additional areas within visual art could include - FOUND OBJECTS (In 1942 - Picasso turned a bicycle seat into an art piece entitled "Bulls Head." TEXTILES – Patchwork exhibition and soft sculpture, weaving, basket making PAPER GLASS POTTERY & CLAY & CERAMICS SCULPTURE JEWLERY PRINT MAKING WIRE BENDING
I'm also suggesting some elements are necessary to push a Cottage Craft – such as sewing, knitting and crochet into the world of art.
Treated as an exhibition - maybe with an opening night.
Tastefully displayed in a gallery type space.
A theme
Artist displays their statement.
Explanation and reasoning behind the work - Perhaps a political comment.
Labels displayed beside each piece - Name of artist, title of piece and the price.
Printed material available.
Conclusion There is nothing wrong with categories and classifications. An exhibition needs order and to be curated beautifully but perhaps there could be less rules more inclusion.
Finally some advice to Artists making “Other” visual art –
Seek out the best place to display your special creations. (It may not be wise to join in a conservative painting exhibition if you work is the only piece in the open section.)
Don’t compare yourself and your work to others.
Find your tribe where you feel some acceptances and your work is appreciated.
Art saying (that's I've collected along the way and some I have no idea of their origins,)
Just because you didn’t mean to do it doesn’t make it a mistake.
Art is not for the timid.
A lot of thought goes into an original work of art.
Just do It. Keep it simple. Focus. No fear.
Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.
I think I can.
Feel the Fear and do it anyway.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes – Marcel Proust.
Do what you love, love what you do.
Look for art and it will appear.
Run it up the flagpole, baby … see who salutes.
Non-attachment to outcome.
Don’t overthink it.
Be…dream…play.
You must make an effort to put something into motion.
Be bold and fearless.
God is in the details.
What one loves in childhood stays in the heart forever.
Always move toward the direction of your dreams.
Make powerful work with a meaningful message.
Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast – Lewis Carroll.
Everything is possible after a good night’s sleep.
How much fun can I have?
There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in. – Leonard Cohen.
Earth without art is just eh – eARTh.
The journey is always a privilege, no matter where I find myself on the road – Maria Poythress Epes.
No mistakes. No penalty. My artistic life is incidental to the absolute law of harmony.
Let your heart be your guide, let your true colours shine, let your art SHOW.
Creativity takes courage – Henri Matisee.
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up – Pablo Picasso.
Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time – Thomas Merton.
A Swimming Metaphor (after Felicity’s 12 week course from the book “The Artist Way” by Julia Cameron.) I paid to do a 12-week course. I got my text book, like any ticket to ride, so I climbed into the boat as I opened the first chapter. I happily jumped overboard and started swimming the adventure aiming for the shore and the first “zoom” phone call session to meet the other swimmers or course participants. The first wave of understanding and emotion came with the thrill of a high followed by a gentle low, which was repeated as I continued to read, write my morning pages’ journal and do the tasks. At the arranged time I swam back to shore to join in the phone call with the facilitator and the others. Talking, listening, was like sitting on the sand in the warm sun, each sharing our swim experience. Encouraging. We were all here, prepared to embrace the next week’s chapter and indeed the next 11. The weeks that followed brought insights to us all as we’d swim through our own experiences. Sometimes the waves felt gentle. Others felt larger and came quickly in threes, washing over you, hardly giving enough time to get your heard above water before another wave of realization and decision. Some felt enormous. Like being dumped onto the beach, just in time for the shared phone call, leaving you feeling like you were sitting on the cold wet sand, in the pouring rain, trying to concentrate on the conversations of others. Someone would pop up an umbrella as the “zoom” session went on. Different views, suggestions and kind words of encouragement were all rain stoppers. Eventually the sun would come out but maybe not until the next morning, when written pages would perhaps say, “Listen to yourself,” or, “be gentle with yourself.” We’d buoyed others during their week’s swim via facebook. We’d feel the forward motion of an unseen, universal hand, helping us to swim stronger and more confidently into creative waters. I felt, as I’m sure others did, the tears and tantrums as my inner child sometimes said, “I’m not swimming today. I’m staying safe in the boat, cruising.” Contrasted with other times of eagerness to dance on the shore after a fulfilling week ready to share synchronicities. Three weeks to go - three more chapters to swim through. How will each person feel at the end? Braver to swim to distant shores through waves and storms that life will surely bring? Or perhaps wanting to re-trace some chapters until minds are calm and those waves seam small enough to enjoy their ups and downs. I feel we have found more than a few life preservers to enable us to swim with fear and live better lives. Thanks Felicity for leading me, with the group, through your course.
Points to look for when judging paintings.
1. Repeating shapes, patterns, and symmetry. 2. Colors, especially colors that complement or enhance each other. 3. Textures, both visual and physical (like thick, impasto paint). 4. Crops and compositions that focus the eye and keep the viewers’ attention. 5. Movement or flow to guide viewers through the art. 6. Correct or appealing proportions of figures and objects. 7. Presentation and framing.
The best art has meaning beyond just an image; perhaps it will bring you to tears, make you laugh, or remind you of something you’d almost forgotten. It also stands out in a crowd, and dares to be different. Most importantly (in my opinion) good art is understandable, although it may make you think in ways you never expected to
1.Interpretation and the clarity of the theme to the viewer. 2.Creativity and originality of the depicted theme. 3.Quality of artistic composition and overall design based on the theme. 4.Overall impression of the art. What is the effect of the artwork in general and as a whole? Overall, does the artwork stand on its own as a complete and outstanding work of art?
VISUAL IMPACT (overall quality) INTERPRETATION & CREATIVITY COMPOSITION/ DESIGN CRAFTMANSHIP (made with skill of mediums and overall neatness) CRITERIA
assess how well the artist carried out the theme of the contest in his entry, how much creativity was demonstrated in the piece, and what kind of statement the entry makes. Also consider if an entry successfully functions as a piece of art outside of the contest's requirements.
Recognize your contribution. Your participation helps enrich the arts community, and your opinions could help launch the career of a promising artist.
Give equal opportunity to pieces that are outside your area of specialty
Wabi-sabi
The Term wabi –sabi comes from two Japanese words, which refer to that which is imperfect, impermanent, aged, humble and authentic. Both nature and human-made objects may have wabi-sabi qualities. Wabi-sabi is an aesthetic that values that passing of time, the seasoning of time and the elements the handmade and the simple. Wabi-sabi is a way of being open to emotion and acceptance and is a state of mind and a state of feeling.
Materials a piece of art is painted on and famed have had another life - regenerated and re-used. Art can incorporate the imperfect and celebrates the simple, handmade. Upon close inspection you may see scratches and bits and blobs. Hair from the cats have found their way into the framing process and pastel dust has been left to settle where a perfectionist would rather it wasn’t.
Wabi-sabi concepts include the passing of time, and breath of ageing. Something that has been created from the heart to give joy, serenity and solitude. 5 Secrets to Unleash Your Creativity according to “The Modern Met.”
Using technology to research for inspiration I happened upon “mymodernmet.com” and noticed the link entitled “5 Secrets to unleash your creativity.” A “secret” - really “Creativity.” That had my attention. I subscribed (it was free) and one point per day arrived in my email inbox. As I clicked on further links I discover another world of articles to read and lots of brilliant photos on such a broad range of creativity - just so inspiring, perhaps even a little overwhelming. How can people be so clever? Their 5 secrets are :- (my condensed explanations) 1. Follow your true passion When you are passionate about something people can see it in you. When you combine passion with skill you express your interest in ways that may surprise even yourself. 2. Dedication leads to breakthroughs Putting in the time is the key to unlocking something better, if not great. Find ways to stay motivated. 3. Actively seek inspiration in unlikely places Take the time to find what you truly like and why. Seek more of that inspiration/experience and ponder how you can incorporate that into your creativity. 4. Do it differently Attention brings insight. Stay focused, curious and experimental. “There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about.” Helen Frankenthaler, - painter 5. Remember your “why" What was the reason you started your creation? Try to balance the fun with the not-so-fun. Engage in the vital boring bits and enjoy the satisfaction. This will help sustain you when you’re going through challenging times.
If your art has become tedious perhaps you can give yourself permission to let go, have fun and experiment with these 5 tips. Maybe you could even get onto the net and find something amazing on www.themodernmet.com.