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| Heart's Desire Image size 11" x 14" approx painted acrylic papers on mixed media board |
It's not you, it's me.
Has anyone ever heard this before?
One of the things about being self taught is that you sometimes (OK, all the time) don't know what it is that you will learn next. This week I gained some insight into one of the ways that I respond to new information and new creative input. I'd like to share what I found out because maybe if you are like me, a confirmed introvert, you might benefit. Or maybe you already know and can commiserate. Or perhaps just writing about it is helpful for me.
I have been following along with Nicholas Wilton's ArtToLife's videos. He has covered three topics: design, value and color. The information has been good and I have enjoyed hearing him talk. However, when I finished listening to the third video, I started to feel a curious kind of resistance. A wariness even. It was a feeling of needing to protect myself somehow. From a psychological standpoint I suspect that it is fairly common for people to engage in "measurement." We constantly self assess based on what others are doing or saying. When I finished the videos I thought that maybe I didn't want to hear any more. In fact, I didn't want to get any more instruction. I just wanted to nurture my own ideas, whatever they are, and to continue to push myself along without someone telling me how to do that.
It's a little nuts right? Who doesn't want outside information that is beneficial? You need input and learning to grow right? But how much? And from whom? At what point do you turn that off, turn away from the outside influences, and look inward for the answers? At what point do you count on yourself, your own vision and your own ideas about how to do things? Confidence may be the key point here. Do you have enough of it to march forward on your own, regardless of the outcome? And that's what I discovered this week, that it could be time to stop looking for answers outside myself. (Hence the expression above, "It's not you, it's me.") Maybe I already know enough to continue to move forward. I did sit down to write about my ideas, what I know, and to make a list. It's a good list. I have ideas. I know stuff. Not enough but enough to keep going if I want to.
All this isn't to say that people can't benefit from instruction from outside sources such as Nicholas Wilton. The man is generous with his information, is encouraging growth, and is fostering an atmosphere of sharing and support among fellow artists. But, I think it is OK to question stuff like this and to try and find out what you really need. What you need might be one thing or a variety of things. Only you can decide that right? The need may not be another workshop or video or blog post. I am not advocating one thing or the other. I am only sharing what I learned and suggesting that the ideas are worth some thought.
And with all of that said, do you think I am going to stop looking at the artwork of others? No way! But I won't be looking in order to learn what to do next. Just for enjoyment and to add to my aesthetic sensibility. Check out this guy. He goes by the name of Hense. I feel like he may be a kindred spirit; a shape making, color loving kind of guy!
OK, if you have an opinion let me know. And I promise that the next post won't be so lengthy or "thinkey."
Libby
Dear Libby first I am so happy to see your new piece. Once again you used those stripes. They really add eye candy to your work. Really get what you are saying too friend. Studying and listening too much can work against finding your own voice. Sometimes one just has to get in there - roll up their sleeves and follow their own heart. Looks to me like you are doing that very thing. Hope you have a lovely day. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
DeleteThanks Debbie! I really like the stripes in small doses. The contrast is very appealing to me and they add lots of direction. Very fun.
It is really a fine line isn't it between too much input and not enough and figuring out who you are as both an artist and a person. Pretty amazing what we are called on to figure out isn't it?
Thank you as always for your visits and comments. I do appreciate it!
Thanks,
Libby
This one has a simplicity which appeals to me personally. Love the quieter areas you created with the lighter blue and white. Makes the story stand out and understood. Very nice indeed, Libby.
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to learn differently. I have always embraced the principals more than the so called rules. Like light travels in a straight path. It is a principal which has been helpful understanding for my illustration work. After I retired I found I still used it in my impressionist work. But look at the work of an abstractionist ...they can do whatever they want with light You are on a journey where you can and are making your own decisions, but like most of us, you probably (subliminally) pick up a little somthing from everything you visually are attracted to. You always raise interesting points. I agree with Debbie about the stripes. Real eye catchers.
Thanks for your observations, Julie. It's funny because even though I didn't set out to create those quieter areas they turned out to be really appealing and helpful. This time I tried to focus more on contrast as a way of creating a sort of focal point. The figures themselves became more important as I worked the piece and I tried to discard choices that would detract from that aspect.
DeleteI sure agree that there is a distinction between principles and rules. I can get behind the one but not the other. And you are right, I think we all subconsciously pick up bits and pieces of what we are attracted to and then either incorporate those things or discard them. Or even assimilate them and modify them. It's interesting isn't it how we use what we take in?
Thanks as always for your visit and comments. I appreciate it!
Libby
Again I really like the direction you have taken. Graphic and bold with soft colors and enough negative space to open it up. There is something tender and playful in this one for me. Thats one of the best parts about seeing others work, our own take on what it brings to our emotions! I find I am often drawn to art that is out of my own comfort zone. Perhaps I am subconsciously trying to work it out for a process in my own work. The truth is that we never stop learning do we. And that's a good thing. Be it from a class or instruction of some sort or from trial and error we gather what we can to move forward. I am not a big fan of instruction and tend to bristle at the idea of it even while understanding it can be so helpful. Knowing that my years ahead of me have begun to feel too few I consciously decided to just do what makes me happy. I have to snicker at that because like most of us I am very critical of my own work, so happy is kind of funny but I would bet you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteKaren,
DeleteThanks for such a thoughtful comment. I am glad that you are seeing something in these pieces that appeals to you on some level. It's funny but we do seem to be drawn to work that we ourselves wouldn't necessarily make but that somehow, subconsciously as you suggested, adds something to what we do.
I sure to agree with you about instruction and learning from it while at the same time having the desire to pull back. I honestly don't know what that is about. Maybe leftover from when we were children and wanted to do things on our own without mom or dad's help.
And I am laughing because I am working on a new piece and you should hear the conversations that I am having! "Make work that makes you happy!" "Do what you want, it's your piece!" Stuff like that and then "What if it sucks?" It never ends!
Thanks as always for your visit and observations. I appreciate it:)
Libby