My Creativity Journal
My 5 new paintings for my 2010 Spring Line are finished…well, almost. As I was working on these new creations, I thought it may be interesting to ask for input from those interested in my art.
Sometimes, I start a painting with a quote in mind. Other times I have the image first and a quote, lyric or poem seems to assign itself to the painting. With these 5 new paintings, the inspiration really stemmed from the fabrics. I was excited to work with the fresh colors and patterns of spring. The paintings really developed from there without the quotes.
So now I want to hear what you see. When you look at these 5 new paintings, what thoughts come to mind? Do you have a quote that fits one of these paintings? Which one speaks to you? What would you have it say?
I would love to have your insight to these new paintings. Maybe a passage out of a recent book you’ve read really matches up with one of these. Maybe you have discovered a new song with lyrics that describe one of these faces. I would love to have you submit your ideas – hoping to choose one of the submissions to be placed on each painting. Please indicate which painting you are wanting your quote to be on and also send along the name of the author of the quote.
I am looking forward to reading all the submissions. It will be so interesting to see what others see when they look at one of these paintings. I have looked at them for months now and I am excited for fresh eyes and new thoughts. Thank you for your creative assistance in this process. I hope it makes for a richer and fuller finished piece.
Inspired by some fantastic new photos and fresh new fabrics, I now have 5 new paintings in progress to add to my quote series. Although we are still experiencing chilly, winter weather, right now I am drawn to the bold patterns of spring that make you want to buy new flip-flops. I am really excited to work on these new paintings and meet the new faces as they begin to emerge from the canvas. New seasons of new work – feels like opening your windows after a long freeze.
I find myself inspired by so many different things on a daily basis. Lately, I am falling in love with the bulky, sparkly, old collage style necklaces. I have been finding these gems in two places.
The first one is from a designer – Vera Wang – has made some stunning pieces. With her combinations of textures and her contrast with the soft and hard – it creates a piece you want to look at. They are chic and modern yet seem to have a charm about them. They suggests a vintage flair with a cloud of flea market lingering beside it. I just want to wear them for a day with a grey t-shirt and ripped jeans and walk around in the sun and sparkle.
From a new emerging artist, I have a very talented young friend that is making jewelry. I have half a dozen pieces of hers and I adore them! She is extremely creative in her creations! She pushes outside the box and I think she has a very special eye.
She has necklaces available on her Facebook. Check them out or contact her, she will make custom pieces. She is amazing and I am all about promoting new artists! My goal is to own as many as I can from Jeni.
For this week, be willing to wear some art work around your neck. Find or make a brilliant piece of jewelry and wear it without waiting for a special occasion. Wear it when washing the dishes or walking the dog. Wear it because it is beautiful and makes you happy and it expresses something about who you are.
LIFE did a beautiful collection of photos showing artists with their models. I found the photos to be very beautiful and nostalgic to my days of drawing class. To see the full collection go to www.life.com
It sure isn’t spring yet but I really have the Spring Cleaning Bug! I usually love being in my studio but it has become so full and unorganized lately that I don’t have the same feeling when I walk through the door. It is time to lock myself in until it is clean. I am actually looking forward to my time in there. I usually find ways to part with items I thought I had to keep and I always find a better way to store this or arrange that. It makes me feel better to start new projects when all my supplies are put away. I know I need more storage solutions like shelving or cabinets but I will make due with what I have for now.
I do have a wonderful built-in closet organization unit that has improved my space to the point I don’t know what I would do without it! As you can tell in the photo, my idea board is so full I can hardly see my ideas. But I also keep notes of inspiration, photos I like and articles I want to remember. I would like to make the entire wall that the board is hanging on to be cork. Then I would have a huge idea wall instead of being confined to a small space. Ideas should have room to grow. I am getting excited just writing about it…time to clean!
I love what I do! I really enjoy the chance to meet new people. Last week I was called about a nursery. When we were discussing directions to her home we laughed when we found out we lived on the same street! Small world. Not only did I have the chance to paint another cute baby girl’s room but I have gotten to know a sweet neighbor and hopefully made a new friend. The best part is, I am the one that feels thankful for being a working artist but I got a “thank you” card in the mail after the job was finished! How nice is that?
Thank you neighbor! I had fun painting your nursery…and as much fun getting to know you! People like you are making my dreams a daily reality!
This is one of my newer quote paintings. I couldn’t believe how fast the process went with this one…when I stepped back from it, I felt like it had painted itself. There is something very calming about it to me. I used a quote from a Sarah McLachlan song and I can almost hear her whispering voice when I look at this one. Her lyrics are true poetry in my life. I have always admired her as a song writer. I just find her to be brilliant on so many levels.
If my painting could in anyway capture a visual moment of her emotion filled songs then I would feel pleased. I aspire to be a strong, honest artist like Sarah and so many others that allow themselves to live in the moment. Real and alive, succeed or fail, at least it is true.
This one was a challenge for me.
My father-in-law travels all over the world for work. He has had the privilege to see some amazing places. During one of his trips to London he saw an abstract painting that he fell in love with and came home to tell me about it. He kept saying, “It is this indigo circle that goes from very dark out to light.” Naturally I said “Oh, so it is purple.” He said, “No, blue.” Ahh, and who said art was subjective…
I tried to get as much info out of him. Having a background in graphic design, I learned fast that a request for a “classy ad” could be about a million different things. So I asked as many questions as I could to get my own “image” of what this painting looked like. I hadn’t ever re-created something I never had the chance to see. I could tell he loved that painting and I wanted to make it match what he saw. He knows when he sees something if he likes it or not and I wanted him to like it.
What is great about my father-in-law is that he loves abstract art. That is so cool to me! So I was looking forward to painting it but found myself so nervous at the expectation that came along with it. So, what else could I do but dive right in, the original wasn’t going to clone itself. I had a lot of fun doing it, I always do when I paint abstracts. It is such a free feeling, like reliving youth where there are no lines to color inside. Creating it was great, it was the waiting for the reveal that caused me to be neurotic.
But he LOVED it! I can’t tell you how relieved I was! I think there was a visible change in me when he jumped up and said “It’s perfect!” I just think it is wonderful to have people inspired enough to return home still talking about a piece of art they saw that just stuck with them. So thank you Indigo painting in London…although I never met you, I was able to make one to fill the inspiration you gave my father-in-law.
This painting, Tiger Eyes, was done for my mother-in-law. She has a genuine love for the African culture, she has traveled there twice to bring medicine and food to people who can’t afford it themselves. She has a wonderful testimony and her visits, along with the people she met, made a huge impact on her life. From her travels, she has brought back some beautiful sculptures, baskets, masks and fabrics. The influence can be seen in the two main rooms of her home. It feels different than someone who just chose to decorate with a “Safari Flair”, it feels very authentic. All her pieces tell the story of her travels.
I had talked with her about doing a painting of tiger eyes a while back. I found a photo that had a similar look to what I was going for and I sketched out my own version. I have had this since September 2004. I was able to complete it and give it to her for Christmas this year. It really excites me to contribute to a decorating theme that means so much to her. She really loved the painting and that still is the true reward for me. Knowing I can create something that brings another joy makes me extremely thankful for the gift of art in my life. Sidna, I hope you enjoy “Tiger Eyes” for years to come!
Courage is my favorite of the four new quote paintings. Not because I think it is my best but there is a combination of elements that feels very personal. The image does (since I use myself) but it is the image and color mixed with the quote.
“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires…courage.”
The quote is one I personally felt when I decided to start my own business. I had some critics who wanted me to know all the stats of small business failures in their first year, I had some critics who wanted me to play it safe. But more importantly, I had a strong support system of family and friends and they helped give me courage. While the girl in the painting is looking down, contemplating her future, I have since looked out onto the horizon. To all my critics, you didn’t beat me down. I am going to pursue my dream until I have no more breath to give it. Thank you to all those who encouraged me and continue to believe in me. I have mapped out a course of action and I will follow it…with courage.