When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

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Logic is one-dimensional, creativity is not

January 19, 2009


 

January Thaw - The Evolution of a Drawing - 14H x 11W inches oil pastels on paper, framed with 3 inch white double mat, brass name plate, and white wood frame with crackle finish, 26H x 22W inches total sizeThere are at least four active projects on the go here, and that’s the case with most artists. Because creativity is all-encompassing, and when the unpredictable nature of it is revealed on a daily blog, a defining statement or mission and re-evaluating it every once in a while is all-important.

* Career artists do not generate production like a factory or have the same business formulas and game plans as retailers; for us everything from conception to sale is self-prompted. Motivation to work every day on something often means doing something different every day. I give myself the guilt-free permission to do whatever I want at on any given day. However…

* One main piece of work needs to be on the plate always, and the others are like a sort of coffee break; the mind needs to think of other things for a bit then return to the main work with new perspective.

* About faith and fortitude: eventually things are finished one after the other, some in one day, some not…but every day no matter what, if one puts forth effort even with no results, then something is still accomplished.

* Self-discipline: if a client is expecting an original concept and a complete product within 48 hours, then absolutely: results can be forced. Within that limited time frame, the usual way of working and thinking becomes temporarily chaotic; a difficult process for some, because presupposed thoughts have to scatter and previously-done ideas need to be let go. At some point, maybe with only one hour left – crunch time – trust that chaos regroups into something totally new and unexpected..the best, most rewarding work can occur during these times. In other words, here’s how anything is created: you’ve gotta be willing to go a little kooky if you have to, but always be alert to reason and bring a thing into reality!

* We have long-term goals and short-term goals, and mini-goals within the short-term ones, but the process is one and the same: shifting the usual and expected way of thinking – or working – is the best way to regenerate creativity on a consistent basis.

Categories: Art for sale, Forests, Seasonal, semi-impressionist, summer, The Majesty of Trees Collection, trees, work in progress | 3 Comments »

3 Responses to “Logic is one-dimensional, creativity is not”

  1. Virginia Wieringa Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 11:06

    This is terrific. I realize it’s only step one, but I love this stage!

  2. Karen Xarchos Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 11:06

    Your monologue on working on “something” everyday is very motivational….prompting me to put away the vacuum and sit down at the easel, even if only for a short while. I, too, have 5 canvases spread around the room — o.k., so two of them are blank — but they’re there!

  3. Nikkico Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 11:06

    Hi Virginia, hopefully the livliness that comes out during this stage won’t be overworked. Both of you: your comments always give me a boost of confidence! Karen: yes, that’s what I’m talkin’ about! Thanks for adding to this.. blank or not, if they’re out you’re already visualizing what will be on them, right? To a non-artist guest it may look like a blank canvas (or two), but to us it’s half-finished!

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