inspiration

Even a little bit of letting go makes space for something new.

It is challenging for a mixed media artist to let go of things. Because we think, “Oh I could use this for something.”

Yes but, how long have we been saving it?

• Months?
• Years?
• Decades?

I challenge you to experience the opening created by letting go. 

Try one of these approaches:

• Sort through one box and trash 1/2 of it
• Tackle one small table and let go of anything you don’t use right now
• Get rid of old work – (it might be weighing you down)

It is hard to let go.

But I always feel lighter and ready for something new when I create an opening by throwing out something that no longer feeds me.

 

I think our job as artists is to help others to see differently.

So often I something catches my eye and when I try to photograph it, the essence is not captured.

For example this solo beech tree looked striking and beautiful to me, but that is not so in this photo.

But what I could do is make a painting or print or drawing that captures and conveys what my eye selectively sees.

I encourage you to look and see differently today!

Sometimes we grow in directions and then stall out in a funk.

When that happens to me, I like to go back to my source of inspiration – playing with printmaking. I turn to play to move beyond the rules and should “do’s”.

I give myself the space to play with out any expectations, and then I can usually break out of the funk and move on with a few new ideas.

Three ways to play with printmaking

One – Ten sheets of paper – I pull out 10 ten sheets of paper and just print with abandon. I get a couple of stencils and stamping tools and just print. No goal of making beautiful prints – just get into the process

Two – Use “stencils” from the waste basket. This one can be quite surprising. It is fun to play with scrapes from a collage project. I get inspired to work in new abstract ways.

The print above is a combination of ideas one and two. First I printed 10 sheets with the “found” stencils from a collage project and then I cropped and collaged the prints into a larger print. And I am pretty pleased with the outcome.

Three – Print with a kid. And follow the uninhibited and fearless way of printing. Kids will just do it, use too much ink, layer with abandon and go through tons of paper.

How does if feel when you say:

I am an Artist. I make………………

I have a defensive denial reaction, that I quickly bury. And I am a bit uncomfortable with the statement. Hmmm?

• Why is it hard for me to declare?
• What am I afraid of?
• Why do I not feel like an artist?

Probably as with any belief, I need to say it, and live it until it is in my bones.

How can I do that?

• Be aware of my resistance
• Tell myself and others that I am an artist
• And step by step I will start to believe it.

As artists we:

• see things differently
• notice the usually unseen and
• create new combinations of materials and ideas

We are all unique and that is our gift to the world. Enjoy a video from the Artist Project from the MET.

 

One thing that does help me to feel like an artist is to be with other artists, to take classes and go on art vacations.

That is why I am offering the Mixed Media Printmaker’s Online Retreat. I hope to bring the art “vacation” to you.

I modeled the class around elements of art vacations that I have taken. I combined reflection, action and learning into an intense week long event.

Class starts July 7th. Check out the details on the workshop page. You will have access to the lessons for at least 6 months, so even if this is not a good time for you it may still work out.

If you have a pile of prints and papers that you would like to transform, then this may be the class for you.