I’m exhausted from the steady stream of negativity coming from what seems like a topsy-turvy world. I image some of you are too. Every time I read something that seems crazy, I hear myself saying—it’s time to challenge myself to create more art.
Right here, right now….there isn’t a better place to start.
I often hear from students, ‘I’m not an artist’. My answer is always the same, ‘if you create art you are an artist.’
Anyone who has the desire, curiosity, and motivation to challenge themselves can make art. Sometimes we have an idea for what we want to create, but might have a hard time putting that idea into action. Sometimes we don’t even know yet what we want to create, but have a desire to create something. Sometimes we know exactly what we want and go right to work. And sometimes we feel paralyzed to do anything at all.
I’ll have to admit that last few months have been a quiet time in my studio. I haven’t felt much like creating art as I’ve been working on creating several new online programs. When I did go to the studio doors I didn’t feel particularly confident about what I wanted to do. I’ve been waiting for some divine intervention of what comes next. But this last week something shifted. I still don’t know exactly what comes next for my artwork, but I’m confident that if I just begin where I am that something will come of it. I’ve made the decision to start—to challenge myself to create.
Some of you may not know even where to begin. May I suggest that you give yourself an assignment? Here are a few suggestions:
- Make a piece of art that doesn’t tell the whole story. Leave room for the viewer to interpret your piece.
- Choose an emotion and make a piece of art that embodies that emotion.
- Experiment with creating art to different music and see how your work evolves based on your musical choices.
- Study with a new teacher or learn a new technique.
Recently I’ve been putting off my regular practice of art making, thinking that tomorrow I would be more prepared than I am today. But that’s crazy. Now is the time to make art. Now is the time to share with the world the beauty, turmoil, fear, or whatever it is I’m feeling. Now is the time to challenge each other to create. It might just be the only way to maintain sanity.
Now it’s your turn, in the comments below, tell me how you challenge yourself to create–I’d love to hear from you.
Be well….be creative,
Thanks again, Clare. Making art, spending time with family and wandering in our beautiful world keep me sane, or at least busy, in these times. I look forward to your next online series.
Thanks Carol.
I am hearing this from fellow artists and feeling it myself. Spending any amount of time online (especially social media) is debilitating. This weekend I finally unplugged – spent Saturday at an art festival peopling our local art association’s booth. Sunday was a “pajama day” where I treated myself as if I was ill – allowing myself to only read books about art…one being the encaustic process book you recommended for the upcoming photo encaustic workshop. I’m looking forward to the workshop so I have something concrete to pull me out this creative funk. Thanks for your pearls of wisdom, Clare!
Good for you for unplugging. It can be tough…..and I don’t do it nearly enough. You are a wise woman:)
I’ve been in a “gathering mode” for the last couple of months. That involves materials for your course starting next week but it also includes going through my archives of images and imagining how they could come to life with encaustic. I’ve also been shooting with more of an eye toward working with wax as well. It all sort of matches the winter season of stepping back and recharging. I’m really looking forward to giving direction to these ideas and images swirling around in my head.
Great. Can’t wait to see your work and the direction your ideas take you.
Hi, Clare. I rarely do much with Facebook, but I appreciated your thoughts as our world seemingly spins out of our control. I’ve made my escape in recent weeks by revisiting long neglected or overlooked files of images and have found inspiration in things that inspired me to capture them in the first place. As part of this, I’ve decided to make this all about me in the sense that I’m not trying to satisfy an audience or judge or specific images for some predefined exhibit. I’m just trying to get back to a time when all that mattered was the enjoyment of creating and discovery. With that in mind, I’m also considering a class in abstract art that might also take me out of my comfort zone and expand my ability to see in new and challenging ways … again, with no expectations or deadlines attached. I appreciate your musings on this subject and in a sick sort of way, find it encouraging when I see how even talented artists such as yourself get stuck in the muck every now and then. Keep on keeping on!
Hi Brad, I love that you are going back to your images and are looking at them with a fresh vision…..and not trying to satisfy anyone other than yourself. Yes, yes, yes, you should absolutely take the class in abstract art. Your images are amazing as they are…..but I can’t wait to see how they would transform after taking the class!