creative motivation

13 Musings About Being an Artist

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What is an artist?  I’m asked this question a lot. It comes up in various flavors and in a smorgasbord of conversations. I don’t have a pat one-size-fits-all artists answer, but I have a few thoughts about some attributes for artists like me.

What does an artist look like?

What does an artist look like?

  1. We don’t always wear black, although, I did have a black uniform phase. Black creates a dramatic back drop for color, texture, shape and line. So it works for wardrobe, canvas, or mat board.
  2. We’re not a weird as you think. However, we do have certain opinions, many of which we just keep to ourselves. We’re not interested in what others think much of the time, because our minds are busy creating. So we may project weirdness to push you away, so we can happily keep thinking about our projects.
  3. We are keen observers. We see and understand things you may never experience. You may think we’re airheads, but some of us like it this way. Then we can be entertained by what goes on around us without needing to explain ourselves.
  4. We’re human and screw up a lot of the time. And we make plenty of messes, but they’re necessary to our life’s purpose of creating. It seems chaos must come first.
  5. Few of us are rich enough, but most of us would like to be. At least we’d appreciate receiving fair pay for our labor. Remember you have to pay for all those practice paintings, and unpublished writings, too. That’s how we got good enough for you to want our art.
  6. We do fight amongst ourselves, at least in private circles. Artist’s communities are true enigmas. And the difference in our opinions can be baffling and unkind at times.
  7. We struggle with creative license and who did it first. We want recognition for our uniqueness. There really is an artist’s ego. But, it’s just our bane, we’ll create anyway.
  8. Some of us will never grow up, and some don’t want to. Part of being an artist is to keep our future options open. Another part is not wanting to leave the playground.
  9. The best of us can see the future, even though it can be hard to illustrate for others. That’s why some people just don’t get the art when they go to a museum.
  10. We’ll never stop. We don’t get retirement. We’re born this way and we’ll be creating until our last breath.
  11. We tire of critics and self-appointed experts. You are not as knowledgeable as you think. If you really want to help us — give money instead. We can always use more supplies and practice.
  12. There are lots of artist wanna-bes. Just because someone dresses the part (and other than all black, handmade jewelry, unusual hair or shoes, I’m not sure what that look is) does not mean that they can create great art. However, I encourage everyone to try.
  13. Real great art comes fearfully from the soul. It encounters risks and rules tempo. Real artists allow great art to master them.

What do you think being an artist is about? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

So, I have this crazy idea. I get asked a lot about the books I read for creative stimulation. I believe in the magic of synchronicity and the amazingly creative journey it will take you along. Books are an important tool I use to keep my ideas primed. My crazy idea? I’m thinning out my library of cool books. Instead of donating them I want to give them away in a drawing. Here’s how it works. Read my blog and leave a comment (or click on the comment box symbol in the upper right beside the title). I’ll pick one commenter and they’re the winner of a great book chosen for that blog post. Make sure you have a valid email so I can contact you to let you know you won a book and you can tell me where to send it. I keep your address private and pay for shipping.

A few facts about the books: Yes they’re a few years old and yes they’ve been read already. But, hey aren’t we all?! I need to make room for my new stories, and all my books have nuggets of treasure just waiting for you to discover. Oh, and just for fun I encourage you to try the Magic “8” Ball approach that taps your intuitive side. Ponder a question, open the book you won to a random page and read for your inspiration or answer. It works!

This idea could truly open up a new perspective for you and me. Please give it a try, share with your friends and post your replies often to win.

(Photo courtesy of Jeroen van Oostrom at freedigitalphotos.net)

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What’s Your Slice of the Creative Pie?

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ID-100199185_Fresh Homemade Apple Pie_KEKO64

I consider myself a painter who writes. It’s much easier for me to brush paint on a canvas than string words in a line on a page. It certainly feels better to me to work with brushes and paint, however, the satisfaction both creations bring me is the same. While some creative projects feel better or are easier than another, the need to create never stops. Even though it was a difficult process for me, I can’t explain why I had to complete writing my book. I only knew I had to. This compelling factor of creation is hard to explain. It’s not just a great feeling it’s more like eating. You have to do it or you’ll die.

Readers and writers share a special symbiotic relationship. I once asked an avid reader what would happen if they didn’t get to read, and they said they’d probably perish. There’s a part of us that is compelled to do things. Writers must write and readers must read. Painters must paint and audiences must look at the paintings. We need to support each other in our quest of creative pursuits, because somewhere we serve each other.

As far as the teeter-totter of creativity swings, it doesn’t matter on which end you sit. The part you play in a creative expression is up to you. What does make a difference is that you play your part. Make your art and share it. Tell your full story about what led you to create. Go to museums and look at art. Take the time to learn the backstory that led to the masterpiece in front of you. Wander through art shows and, yes, talk to the artists! Ask them why they make their art, what they do for fun or what their favorite piece is? If you’re an audience be a great observer and give appropriate feedback. If you’re a reader savor the words and then seek ways to leave a review or interact with the author.

Put some power in your playground of creativity and enjoy your slice of the creative pie!

 

(Image courtesy of Keko64 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

THANKS — To You!

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It’s no secret we’re in the midst of the crazy time of year. There’s so much to do for others, and take part in that it’s easy to get lost in the wave of holidazzle. It’s also a great time to say Thank YOU!

Giving thanks to yourself is one of the most important things you can do for yourself at any time of year. If you’re creative person or like creative things, you know that too much celebratory chaos can be destructive. Practice T-H-A-N-K-S to you and enjoy this holiday season and arrive in the New Year with a great attitude.

ID-100271736_Thumbs Up Means Thanks A Lot And Approved_ by Stuart Miles

Image Courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Timing- Pay close attention to your schedule this season. What’s your timing? It’s your personal time. Do you want to have dinner with a friend or be shopping at that hour of the day? Maybe you don’t want to shop at all? Give thanks for the way you choose to live and decide what works for your best timing so you can both enjoy, and give joy in all of your activities.

Health– Notice and be very honest with the state of your health right now. At this time are you capable of what there is to do? What exactly do you need right now to maintain the health you have, and improve it if you need to? Would a bit less decorating, partying or driving here and there be a good choice for your health? How would a healthy home cooked meal that nourishes you feel instead of a round of entertainment? A bit of quiet time or a nap might serve you better than many other activities. Honor your health and give thanks for how healthy you are this season.

Anxiety- There’s no denying it. This can be a season of high anxiety.  There’s extra noise, moving bits, activities, blinking lights and decorations spilling all over the place. Yikes! Those new wonderful energy saving lights give people like me serious migraines because they have a micro strobing effect. Even if you enjoy the decorative things of the season they’re in abundance adding extra input to your being. Sounds, smells, textures, colors, people, and an wealth of special foods during this season can create too much stress. If your nutritional balance goes awry you’re not going to feel well and might instead be feeding anxiety. Marketing uses an element of pumping up our anxiety making it irresistible to not grab an extra present just in case. Commercials send messages checking if you’re ready for that crazy hour when everything is supposed to be perfect. Remember that those moments last a few seconds of your life. Treat yourself gently this season. How will you choose to live with less stress?

No- One simple little word. I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase, “Just say no!” Think of all the ways that you’ll need to say no during the holidays or anytime you need to moderate your schedule. Say the words sweetly and honestly, because you care about who and how you are.  “No thank you, I don’t care for any more food. No, I’ve had enough to drink.  No, I don’t feel like going out to dinner that night. No, I need to get rest instead. No, I’m not cooking dinner for 50 people. No, I don’t care to go through all of the work to decorate. No, I’m not taking on that extra project. No I’m not doing that extra activity.” Celebrate yourself by gently and firmly saying “No” this season.

Kindness– If there’s one word that says what this season is supposed to be about it would be— kindness. This is a great time to practice your kindness skills. People are taxed, tired, stressed, anxious, and bombarded with messages that they and everything they touch needs to be flawless and full of magical moments. There’s a pervasive sense that everything needs to be all shiny, twinkling, and full of hope and promise. However, without being conscious about your actions, it’s a setup for disappointments. Giving your kindness will go much further than anything else you can do. It may not be easy when another shopper hits you with her grocery cart and yells at you for being in her way, or the parking spot is rudely snatched, or someone is just angry. The loveliness you pull into your own heart will be well worth it when someone cuts you off in traffic, grabs the last item on the shelf. Flash your smile, send them kindness, and fill your own well with humanity.

Satisfaction– Know what you need to fill up, and when you’re full. Go for the things that serve you best. It’s okay to have enough of your nieces and nephews running around and screaming, relative’s rants or listening to stories about grotesque organ failures. It’s quite right to eat a few bites of all the rich foods. Decide what you need to feel satisfied and cut out the excess this season. The holidays will go smoother, your stress will be reduced and you’ll be a much happier person when January 1 rolls around. You won’t feel as if you’ve been bulldozed. Instead you’ll feel fulfilled, rested, and your checkbook could have extra money, because you were consciously choosing how you wanted your holidays to be.

I’m very thankful for you and that you’re reading my blog. Happy New Year!

 

Freeing Your Wild Artist

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What’s the wildest art you can make?

Do you favID-100213076_Beautiful Girl with Her Hands In The Paint_stockimagesor marking with a pencil or brush stokes?

Will you use brilliant color or a monotone?

Are you the type who makes sketchy lines or bold smudges?

Will you give your work sensual expressions, or keep it plain and simple?

What is wild artistic expression for me won’t be the same for you. Finding your wild side can be fun and enlightening. Let yourself make a few messes with this opportunity and you’ll likely discover some amazing things about yourself and your art. If you want to stretch your creative abilities do something racy to juice up your creativity.

Challenge yourself to take a new risks. Try a new technique. Do something you really hate just to see what lies beyond your belief. Wear a color you don’t like and notice reactions of others, can you feel what the vibrations of that color do for your perception. Try being like another person for a day. How would that person make your art? During your next meeting take the opposite viewpoint from your own. Can you see something else in your reflection? How can you use these new-found tensions to enhance your performance?

When I feel I need to shake things up in the studio painting or on my keyboard writing I seek out my wild side. First I clear time and space for adventure trusting my instincts for what I think I need and can afford. Second, I give myself loads of permission to get really messy and have a lot of fun. Third, I allow play to invade everything I do. Fourth, I let go and live on the wild side of my artistic expression.

How do you free your wild artist? Leave me your comment. I’d love to hear about your experiences!

(Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

What do You Get from Being Stupid?

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Wisdom!

An unknown cook in china experimenting in the kitchen created fireworks, learning that cooking can be dangerous and more than food will delight.

Ink Jet printers were imagined after an engineer accidentally left his iron on his pen causing the ink to spray out.

Thomas Edison inventor, learned thousands of ways to not do things.

Leonardo Da Vinci artist and inventor, learned about human limitations

Steve Jobs creator of Apple, learned that life is fragile.

Alexander Graham Bell inventor of the telephone, learned through listening that silence can be translated into sound.

John Pemberton a pharmacist, learned that people liked to burp when his assistant accidentally mixed carbonated water into his recipe for Coca-Cola.

Charles Babbage inventor of an early calculator, learned that ambition must yield to time. Never completing his invention, years later his notebooks revealed knowledge basics for the computer.

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” Mary Lou Cook

George de Mestral an engineer, learned that walking his dog could stick things together in amazing ways. He observed that burrs had a particular structure that stuck them to his dog’s furry coat and he created Velcro.

Leo Baekeland inventor of Bakelite an early plastic, learned the liability of copycat imitators after defending his work in numerous lawsuits.

Alfred Nobel inventor of dynamite and namesake for the Nobel Prize, learned that playing in mud has powerful payoffs, discovering mud held his explosive together.

John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley inventors of the transistor, learned about success, collaboration and the emergence of creative ego while working together.

John Walker inventor of the friction matchstick, learned that you don’t need to profit from a good idea. Never patenting his invention someone else stole it.

Patricia Bath inventor of Laserphaco Probe used for cataract laser surgery, learned that innovation is colorblind. She was the first black woman to receive a medical patent and compete a residency in Ophthalmology.

Richard Jones a naval engineer trying to invent a meter to monitor power on ships, learned about the fun of bouncing discovering the slinky.

Sir Isaac Fleming discovered penicillin, and learned the true value of dumpster diving after discovering mold in the garbage.

James Wright an engineer trying to make synthetic rubber, learned about the human enthusiasm for goo – Silly Putty.

Patsy Sherman a chemist, learned that being messy is important to the creative process. After spilling on her shoe she discovered Scotchguard.

Albert Hoffman a chemist, learned that accidents can take you to unimaginable places. He developed LSD.

For gosh sakes be as stupid as you can when you want to grow. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn and you’ll become one of the smartest people you know.

Coping Creatively

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It’s been a hard winter for most in North America. Where I live we love the season. Not this one! It’s been just more work and bitter cold temperatures. Cabin fever is not a joke this year. It’s a real health concern for the creative soul.

Ice Crystals Frame My View

Ice Crystals Frame My View

I usually enjoy a winter walk and plenty of snowy activities like cross country skiing and snowshoeing. I drive about and watch bolder types ice fish and skate in the many lakes and rinks around. Not this winter! We’ve had three times the usual subzero temperature days. I don’t see many ice houses or fishing neighborhoods set up on frozen lakes. My smartphone weather report gives me a daily picture of what frigid looks like. Enough already!

Green Meets Frigid

Green Meets Frigid

What can a creative do to weather a wobbled polar vortex? Since going out is miserable, I’ve been literally  looking out for inspiration. My trusty camera and I have been snapping photos of the ice formations on my windows. They’re exquisitely detailed and change throughout the day as the water vapor trapped between the glass panes melts and refreezes.  It’s been a continual show that has me mesmerized by it’s intricacy and the myriad of ways light is reflected!

Intimate Ice

 

Frozen Dance

Frozen Dance

I’d love hear how the rest of the continent has survived winter? Add a post and tell me what eased your cabin fever.

Always Something New to Learn

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I get asked all the time, “Why are you taking an art class? You teach them.” Well the answer is pretty clear. There is always something new to learn. Someone else may have the same skills or mastered the same techniques, but they do it in their own way. By looking at the same information through new eyes I can get a fresh perspective.

Watching paint splashed or how another artist handles their brush, is just as exciting as trying it for myself. I learn about using the same old papers to get different results, and why a particular brand of paint is favored. Things I never thought about become fascinating.

I also love the camaraderie of working with others. It gives me a lovely break from my private studio work, where I become serious about my final outcome. For me taking classes is about discovering something. Perhaps it is a tidbit I forgot, but it might also be seeing a color used in a completely novel approach. I make it a rule to not make a masterpiece when I take a class. I want my eyes open to possibility, not perfection. If I find myself getting picky about what I’m doing, I stop and add some playfulness to my approach. This keeps me spontaneous and ready to explore.

Also, as a creativity coach, watching other artists tackle really tough techniques is inspiring! Witnessing the amazing angles from which they choose to draw or paint their subjects, is thrilling in its outline for how they think about creating. Tenacious beginners are incredibly gutsy. It is through their creative innocence I see the force of creativity most alive.

What can you discover by taking a new class today?

Summer Blitzing

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I don’t know about you, but as an artist I can get excited about pretty much anything. I love to let ideas tumble through my mind, and sometimes to distraction from my real creative work. As summer heats up in the north country, all I want to do is sit and dream. This is the summer blitzing phenomenon, that makes me feel light and fluttery, bouncing from one thought to another. In this mindset, I can’t do much physical or outdoor work, which is what we northerners save up and take advantage of doing in summertime. Frankly, it’s too hot to be outside anyway, so I need to work inside looking out. Gazing through windows is definitely dream time, however learning to do so with purpose can be mind bending. I have to remember to plan time for and call this activity passive work, and set limits on how much of it I can afford to do given my other commitments, but it’s always worthwhile.

One way to make idea spinning meaningful is to record what you see, sense, discover or ask about the experience. Your observations might come in handy to solve your current or future creative challenge. I also like recording mine, because it sets limits due to the media used, and makes the time a part of my real artistic work. I think as summer as the soft months during the year, a time to ease up my workload. So when I find the need to day dream, I try to honor it. When you make this a real part of your summer, you can look forward to blitzing your way through your creativity with insight and wonder, and maybe an unanticipated nap!

Reframing Can Help You Succeed

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I had lunch with a friend the other day. “OMG/Boy I’m frustrated!” they said. “So what’s going on?” I ask. “I have a new project manager who doesn’t know what’s she’s doing.” “Tell me more,” I continue. Well she’s only been here a few months. She’s young, and more stereotypical descriptors flow into our discussion. At this point, I know my friend is facing a challenge and in the throes of learning. Frustration is the obvious symptom, and stereotyping is a sign they may feel cornered and defensive. And most of us want to elevate our symptoms fast, so we focus on what seems obvious to us.
There’s another way to make it feel better and actually enhance the experience. If we looked at our challenge as just that- a new encounter, we might be able to accept the differences and change that which is frustrating us. Saying some altered things to engage the situation, might sound something like this: “I have a new manager in charge of my project starting tomorrow. I really don’t know much about her, and I’d like to know what experiences she’s had that can make our project better. I’d also like to learn about her ideas and see how we can combine our thinking to make our project a great experience for the team.”
Here are some of the key differences when we look at a challenge as less of a threat and more of a learning exchange. In the example statements above we never give up our own important placement in the project. By reframing our thoughts and words, we continue to see ourselves as part of the team and take ownership of our role. We also embrace the new person as someone to learn about, rather than quickly assess and negatively judge. Reframing allows us to use our creative insights to discern what we need to know. We can stay focused on the project, not our feelings. Last, we anticipate a great experience as the successful outcome we expect.
All of these adjustments will bring up frustration and most likely won’t come easy for us, because learning something new is a change, and change is scary and hard. However, when we read our frustration simply as a symptom of a new learning that is taking place, we can simply reframe our thinking to more easily make the personal adjustments necessary to reach a positive outcome.
I’d love to hear how you’ve reframed your challenges to turn them into success!

Chronic Need For Motivation?

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Lately I’ve found myself needing an unending supply of motivation. Not the kind that gets you up and on with the day precisely, but the type that gets you through a project from beginning to end – and feeling overjoyed at all your accomplishments. Often us creative types can be at a loss for the satisfaction about what we’re capable of creating. Perfectionism is commonly blamed, but I’m discovering the real culprit is lost motivating energy. For me it feels like my car is stuck in between gears and I stall out.

What kind of creative mechanics could fix this? I’ve been stumbling around for long while trying to find it. And I think I finally have some words that fit, so I can begin to articulate my issues to myself and others; and hopefully get some useful feedback that will reinvent my motivation.

Here’s my plight: I’ve been endlessly clearing and organizing my home and studio. It’s more or less been going on for over a year and a half. Any sane person might ask,” What kind of mess do you live and work in?” Well not that much actually. It’s the emotional part that’s a mountain; and all the stuff that complicates those feelings. Today a wise advisor reminded me not to go into feeling grief and loss, but work at just staying in clearing the workspace and organizing it enough to work in. Well. duh! Simple switch up of words! That little change in how I’m thinking about this project opens up a whole new look at my progress, (which has been phenomenal) and what I need to do next (which is pretty simple).

As an empty nester, I now have all this space in my house which has accumulated the stuff of thirty years from an actively creative family and several businesses’. I let myself believe I was starting anew like moving out rather than moving on. I still live and work here and need my tools and supplies to create. What’s really changed is that I can finally spread out all over my home if I want to. Emotionally I never felt that was an option before. That feels freeing and more than a bit scary mostly because I’ve always had a cramped space to work in. That means there’s never been enough storage so things always looked a bit unkempt. My fear is that my living space will end up that way though it doesn’t have too. That’ll be my choice. My workspace just has to function well enough for my work flow, and the stored items can be moved all over my place as I please.

With these switched up words I feel like I can begin to keep up the energy I need to get back into the swing of what I really want to do and have the motivation to stay consistent with my efforts. The practice of not overwhelming myself, will need to be a chronic effort because, I’ll need to remind myself often that managing my workspace is about the flow of my work. It is not about the pack it up and check it off task mastering that can leave me feeling spent, joyless and unendingly emotionally worked to death. Well, right now, this all sounds to me good anyway – going to move a few boxes into a new location. Keep you posted on the rest of my progress.