My mother put me onto Robert Genn's newsletter and I am so glad she did. What a great resource for anyone who is interested in the creative process. He also has a wonderful section where he recommends books that he has come across in his artistic meanderings. It is a list well worth traveling through. 

I went out to the Westside to walk the Fintry Falls with a friend. After our exursions we went to the Ashpa Naira Gallery and Studio and visited with Carolina in her amazing space. It was inspiring to see the artwork, created by some of our very own NOFCA members. 

I love discovering new artists, at least they are new to me. What draws me to this particular artist is the way she applies colour to the canvas and the way she sparks colours off each other. She  does not "make a study or draft of each painting before she confronts the canvas. Instead, all choices, both conscious and subconscious, are made during the creation process. Her mark-making method consists of working herself up into a raptured rhythm while listening to music by Leonard Cohen..." "Her subject is the process of painting itself, as she revels in the activity, creating playful accidents that result from free-wheeling experimentation." 


        This is how I like to work and I find her work both inspiring and captivating. 
        Click on the painting to check more of her work.

This amazing site puts the audience  “behind the scene” and shows what is involved in the process of creating a painting. How do they do it, where they do what they do and when they do it. Each artist lets us enter his or her  world. We learn not only about the art techniques, but also about  the feelings, the dreams and the inspirations that artists use in their artworks. "A painting is a story." The story of the painting is told in images and is enhanced with side by side explanations of the artists.You can view artists from different parts of the world showing their own unique way of creation. It is a fascinating exploration.

"Creative geniuses tend to be less the ones with the quickest answers and more the ones who keep working till they get it right."

It's statements like this that keep me going. Click the image and read about the 5 principles. In our present society that seems to focus on the quick fix and providing instant gratification it is reassuring to know that there is still room for the deep thinking and the hard work that forms the creative act in whatever form it may come in.

This was an interesting book that views the world from the perspective of a young American woman with a burning desire to become an artist during a time when people didn't know what to make of females with artistic urges. Her adventures and struggles in Paris at the start of the Belle Epoch make for compelling reading. A bit long winded at times but still a good read for those of you who like a story served up with a healthy splash of Art History.

My cup not only runneth over it is geysering everywhere (is geysering a word?) Anyhow it's my blog so I can make it a word.
Work-Life balance:what is that exactly? I have not been feeling very balanced at all these days and sadly one of the things that has dropped off the edge of my chaotic life is my painting. I start to feel vaguely uneasy and there is a still small voice that starts to call out to me (and no I am not hearing voices, not yet anyhow. I mean this metaphorically) Anyhow I digress. What I know is that when I have no outlet for my creativity I begin to feel like I am living a partial life rather than a full one. Being insanely busy is no substitute for the way I feel when I am fully immersed in the act of creating something on my easel. However, like all states of being, this one is temporary and once I get settled in my new home I can reconnect with my creative side and pick up where I left off...

In view of our recent mock jury process held up at the Inglewood clubhouse I felt compelled to research further the whole idea of the jurying process and the bigger issue of what it means when your piece doesn't get chosen for a show. I saw this letter and thought it was worth sharing:


Here is a rejection letter sent to Andy Warhol from the Museum of Modern Art, New York dated October 18, 1956.

Dear Mr. Warhol:

Last week our committee on the Museum Collections held its first meeting of the fall season and had a chance to study your drawing entitled "Shoe" which you generously offered as a gift to the Museum. I regret that I must report to you that the Committee decided, after careful consideration, that they ought not to accept it for our Collection. Let me explain that because of our severely limited gallery and storage space we must turn down many gifts offered, since we feel it is not fair to accept a gift of a work which may be shown only infrequently. Nevertheless, the Committee has asked me to pass on to you their thanks for your generous expression of interest in our Collection.

Sincerely,

Alfred H. Barr, Jr.

Director of the Museum Collection

P.S. The drawing may be picked up from the museum at your convenience.

Martha Moore and I met at the Talking Donkey to discuss and plan activities for our group to take part in. Once again I am struck by the creative momentum that occurs when you get two or more artists together in a room. I look forward to being able to meet regularly with fellow members and learn with and from each other.
On a side note my mother and I were unpacking and figuring out how to use the new digital projector purchased by our chapter. It was an interesting comparison of learning styles between my mother who pulls out the manual and starts to read it and me who goes at it based on past experiences with other electronic devices and my own intuition. At one point I remember her saying"You're just like your father!". In the end it usually takes a combination of approaches to get the job done. I foresee many great sessions using that machine to explore some of the creative possibilities of the internet.

Not enough hours in a day seems to be the story of my life. I know I am not alone so I can take comfort in that. So many things compete for my limited time and attention and it is the ability to focus on what brings me joy that I need to continue to work at. I love the work of this artist who talks about plugging the holes in her life and how that informs her work. http://jenniferperlmutter.com/

I have been up since four AM running on the hamster wheel of life and not getting very far. My summer vacation is rapidly winding down and now I must begin the transition to full time elementary teacher and part time college instructor. It's not an easy shift to make even though this is a cycle I have repeated many times in my life. It seems particularly difficult this summer because I have been so focused on my painting which has consumed many enjoyable early morning hours in the studio. Anyhow never fear, I will make the leap to work life and I am committed to maintaining some level of personal expression at the same time. I will let you know how that works. On a side note I have been researching how to photograph artwork and I have included a "how to" link for those of you who are interested. Just click on the happy camera.