Art and painting is always present in my thoughts and when I am not painting, I think about it all the time in terms of ideas, colours, composition and planning. I am generally a very quiet person, well at least I tend to think so and my family and friends might have a different opinion, however when it comes to art it is a bit difficult to shut me up and a conversation can carry on for hours. Let's be honest here, I even dream about my paintings and I am sure a lot of artists experience this too. Dreams might contain new ideas or even find solutions when you get stuck at a certain point of a painting. I find a huge difference when painting from my own photographic reference material compared to if I had to use the photographs of someone else (with that person's permission of course). I feel a strong connection with my subject matter as I was there at that specific moment in time the photograph was captured on the camera.
I recently did a short mindfulness art journaling course. One of the topics was 'what does creativity mean for me' and then I had to put that into visual form. The photograph of this exercise is a little bit further down. I was limited to only mentioning seven points in my visual representation in the course and I found it to be difficult, as all the points of what creativity means for me plays an important role and exceeds seven. I decided to do a post about this topic so that I can expand beyond just the seven points represented in my art journal.
So, what does creativity mean for me and why do I paint? The answer to this question can't be summed up in one sentence as it involves a lot more...
Painting for me is great fun, yet it can have intense moments when I dance backwards and forwards with the brush in my hand over the canvas moulding and shaping with paint. Mostly the 'dance' is playful and sometimes a little more intense as I am resolving mistakes, which in turn helps with the resolving of possible issues in life at that specific moment.
Freedom and letting go - The freedom of thoughts and movement makes me feel free and not boxed in to conform to certain rules or regulations. I made this quote by Andy Warhol my own - “Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” Thus, what is important to me, is that I keep painting while everybody else decides and that I have the freedom of just being able to let go and play.
Visual stimulation and awareness - Colour, texture, subject matter and sometimes the need to dig a little deeper as to the why a painting has a certain effect on my emotions, thoughts and feelings.
Exploration, observation and curiosity - Being able to play with colours and textures as well as exploring subject matter and how it all fits together in the end. Communicating visually with my audience, working intuitively with the aim to show my personality and individuality in my art work.
The fulfillment that I experience while painting and viewing art is very addictive and encouraging. Being able to paint and having art present in my life makes me feel complete.
Growth - The constant improvement of my technique and the evolving of my style from painting to painting. The desire to push myself to be and do better with each progressive work of art.
Motivation - The need to keep on and keep going, not giving up, which also teaches patience, persistence and perseverance.
Connected - Painting as in the activity is my form of meditation and I find it very soothing - It's the time in my studio where my mind goes silent, connects with my Creator and where I experience stillness and serenity.
Painting takes me to a place where I feel connected and can reflect, yet at the same time it keeps me in the present. It gives me great pleasure and purpose as well as making me feel grounded and humble at the same time. It brings balance, playfulness, passion, calm and discipline into my life.
The great feeling of achievement when I have completed a work of art and when someone else makes a connection with my painting and want it on their wall.
Painting taught me that there is perfection in imperfection.
I recently did a short mindfulness art journaling course. One of the topics was 'what does creativity mean for me' and then I had to put that into visual form. The photograph of this exercise is a little bit further down. I was limited to only mentioning seven points in my visual representation in the course and I found it to be difficult, as all the points of what creativity means for me plays an important role and exceeds seven. I decided to do a post about this topic so that I can expand beyond just the seven points represented in my art journal.
So, what does creativity mean for me and why do I paint? The answer to this question can't be summed up in one sentence as it involves a lot more...
Painting for me is great fun, yet it can have intense moments when I dance backwards and forwards with the brush in my hand over the canvas moulding and shaping with paint. Mostly the 'dance' is playful and sometimes a little more intense as I am resolving mistakes, which in turn helps with the resolving of possible issues in life at that specific moment.
Freedom and letting go - The freedom of thoughts and movement makes me feel free and not boxed in to conform to certain rules or regulations. I made this quote by Andy Warhol my own - “Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” Thus, what is important to me, is that I keep painting while everybody else decides and that I have the freedom of just being able to let go and play.
Visual stimulation and awareness - Colour, texture, subject matter and sometimes the need to dig a little deeper as to the why a painting has a certain effect on my emotions, thoughts and feelings.
Exploration, observation and curiosity - Being able to play with colours and textures as well as exploring subject matter and how it all fits together in the end. Communicating visually with my audience, working intuitively with the aim to show my personality and individuality in my art work.
The fulfillment that I experience while painting and viewing art is very addictive and encouraging. Being able to paint and having art present in my life makes me feel complete.
Growth - The constant improvement of my technique and the evolving of my style from painting to painting. The desire to push myself to be and do better with each progressive work of art.
Motivation - The need to keep on and keep going, not giving up, which also teaches patience, persistence and perseverance.
Connected - Painting as in the activity is my form of meditation and I find it very soothing - It's the time in my studio where my mind goes silent, connects with my Creator and where I experience stillness and serenity.
Painting takes me to a place where I feel connected and can reflect, yet at the same time it keeps me in the present. It gives me great pleasure and purpose as well as making me feel grounded and humble at the same time. It brings balance, playfulness, passion, calm and discipline into my life.
The great feeling of achievement when I have completed a work of art and when someone else makes a connection with my painting and want it on their wall.
Painting taught me that there is perfection in imperfection.
“The object of art is not to reproduce reality,
but to create a reality of the same intensity.”
Alberto Giacometti
This was done in my art journal using acrylics in a very watery consistency and impasto in other areas. My aim was not to create something realistically, nor to focus on highlights, shadows, cast shadows or reflected light. The main aim of this exercise was to just play and let it flow.
Alberto Giacometti
This was done in my art journal using acrylics in a very watery consistency and impasto in other areas. My aim was not to create something realistically, nor to focus on highlights, shadows, cast shadows or reflected light. The main aim of this exercise was to just play and let it flow.
