I recently came to the conclusion that I need to add more layers to my work...that I just don't push forward as far as I really want to go. I wrote a blog post about it.
Well, this week I started trying Morning Pages again. It is an exercise that comes from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. To be completely honest, I have never read the book. Those around me have, however, and I have gained some knowledge symbiotically. (Some day I will read the book.)
But I digress. Writing helped me realize that not only do I not push myself far enough, I haven't finished anything in quite a while. Some time ago I satisfied myself with creating backgrounds as a way of getting some art in during very busy patches. There are many very busy patches.
The time has come, however to reach beyond and start finishing the beginnings. Taking a good hard look at the journals I have been beginning has been enlightening. Part of this issue is not knowing where I am going with any of them. So I assigned themes to each of the ones I have been working in and found a surge in activity. Even the backgrounds are coming together more fluidly.
So instead of limiting me in a negative way, the themes are helping me to be free. Before I was hesitant and noncommittal. Now I forge forward adding with abandon. Well, with as much abandon as one can forge with when paint, gesso and gel medium are drying.
Some of the themes are also demanding that color be evaluated rather than flinging the same bright colors on the pages willy nilly. I loved those vibrant pages, but they will be tamed and toned down and reined in so that they bring more life and illumination to the whole.
Fun. Fun. Fun.
Background knowledge informs my work.
Yay - I am so happy to see you creating. People call me the layering queen! More is definitely more ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy creative week
Thanks, Lynette! Your layers are luscious, to be sure. I always enjoy watching your process. You certainly do have a way with layers. Hope your week is full of creative bliss.
DeleteVery interesting. It's a sticky wicket, knowing when is enough (or not) and what is too many. You can mud it up or give it all the power and energy it needs. That's something I need to work on as well. But the big thing is you are stretching yourself and doing it! And that's what adds up to better work -- these look great and it also looks like you're having fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanie! I find that the process is inspiring. It's not just the action of creating art, but also the thinking, evaluating, pondering and ultimately stretching. This is exciting to me. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time this week to be working on my journals now that school has started. It will settle down eventually and I'll be back at it.
DeleteI really like the backgrounds. I think it's also a study in color theory. Your pages look great! I like the sewing elements, too. It seems like every time I like a journal page it has sewing on it and I don't sew!!! :(
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ricky Jo! It is a color journey. For me one of the hardest things is to keep going when I love what is unfolding. The courage to continue is courage indeed! Sewing on journal pages is not like sewing a garment. It is much more elemental, forgiving and inexact. Sewing is daunting for many because of the skill factor. Sewing on paper, unless you are creating a sculpture, is more free. You have to work your way up to it. I feel confident you can do this thing!
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