Experimenting Is Fun

Right now I have three paintings in different stages of development. All are experiments where I'm trying out new techniques and stretching my abilities. I've given myself permission to fail. Fail in the sense I'm not worried about the final product. Having fun is my prime objective. Being open and free of expectations allows the creative side of me to have fun as well.

The painting you see here is not close to being done. I've added real maple leaves to the canvas, and I will see how they hold up. I need more layers and added interest, such as lines, shapes and possibly words. This is a cross composition, but the cross shape is too equal in size. I will obscure some of the area and create different size shapes and add color.

Taking a picture of your work in progress is a great way to see what needs to be added or taken away. Also, hanging your work where you can see it every day is another way to get to know your painting. It's a great way to get a fresh perspective on your work of art.

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Venetian Plaster

I've been trying to get into the art studio for the longest time. Really there is no excuse, but after saying that, I've been writing more than painting, trying to finish up a first draft. I did try my hand at using Venetian Plaster on canvas. Roberta loves the stuff! I can't say how successful I was with it, but it did create nice texture. I did one layer of paint so this is a start...

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Rituals of Creativity™ Starts October 20

This is my friend's journal for the Rituals of Creativity™course we teach through Valdosta University. The course is being offered on October 20, in just a couple more weeks. Roberta and I are excited to teach this course again. To register visit our Rituals of Creativity™ Page

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John Lennon Wall in Prague

One of my favorite sights in Prague was visiting the John Lennon Wall. Since 1988, this wall has been evolving. Visitors come to view, write, and paint on the wall. Always changing, this is a wonderful continuous art piece representing peace and love.

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Rituals of Creativity to be offered this Fall.

I'm sad to see the last week of class is coming to an end, but happy to announce we will be teaching the online course once again, October 20 - November 30.

Roberta and I had so much fun teaching this course over the summer. We had such wonderful creative students who participated and shared with others. All of us learned and were inspired. So much so that I continued in my journal and finished it!

Here's a couple of new pages:

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Nature's Colors and Sounds

A friend and I took a nature walk this weekend at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. We went when it first opened -- no crowds, the air still and quiet except for nature's sounds.

I love taking short videos of different sounds I hear:

Nature is also a master colorist. All beautiful color combinations. All right in front of us.

Keep Creating!

Vicki 

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Why Create?

Being an artist and writer, I tend to take creativity as a given in my life. I'm always a bit taken aback when someone asks why it's so important to be creative. So pondering this question, I've come up with these following answers:

1. Creativity inspires - and can lead a person into a new direction.
2. Creativity helps problem solve by getting a person outside of their normal day to day situation.
3. Creativity fuels a person's self-esteem.
4. Creativity ignites a person's potential.
5. Creativity is a great way to know thyself.

As my Roberta says - all people need to express or else it suppresses expression and that causes blocks.

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This really is a part of the creative process.  Often people do not try to create because they fear making mistakes.  But I have found and Vicki confirmed it is true for her also, that  some of our best ideas come from so called Mistakes.  And knowing which ones to keep to create art is not a talent…It is permission.

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#GetCreative

Manipulated Photo taken in Rome

This morning, I read an article that tells of 22 ways to renew and recharge yourself. This is one of the many articles that comes out every January - helping people kickstart the new year. As I read the article, I smiled when I saw number 14 and 16 - Get Creative and Get Inspired.

#GetCreative is a hash tag I use when on Twitter. It's what our workshops are all about. Roberta and I are all about having fun while creating art because for us, art is joy, art is beauty and it enriches our lives and opens our minds to exploring new concepts, cultures, perspectives.

I have taken the advice of the article and signed up for a class - Extreme Composition. As a teacher I'm also a perpetual student, wanting to learn new techniques and perfect my skills. The other day, talking with my writing critique partner, she said something very interesting. She knew she wasn't the best writer or the worst writer, but she always wanted to publish her best work.

Creating is a lifetime journey of learning, doing and sharing.

New Year's Resolution: Get Creative!

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Be Inspired!

I love viewing artwork in settings outside of the museum. It's inspiring to see how other artist express themselves and create art in nature. Arizona's Desert Botanical garden has a wonderful art program. Every year an artist is invited to exhibit in the gardens. This year Dale Chihuly once again showcased his art glass in a most beautiful and provocative way. Here are some shots I took the other day:

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The Card that started it all!!!

Vicki pulled this card for 2014.  It is all about ART….Looks like a perfect time for creating a course on Creativity!

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