|
"17"
By Pojucan
A Chosen Way of Life
Critics of the way of life of an artist are deceiving themselves if they believe it is an easy choice. The nature of a true artist is not chosen, like water art is essential to our survival.
As an artist there is an intense need to identify and come to terms with the deepest of personal beliefs and values. It is through this knowledge of ourselves that we find inspiration. Who we are, what we feel and how we take measure of the world around us, is forever evaluated and re-evaluated. It can be an exhausting, difficult, thankless and often brutal struggle for awareness.
Beyond inspiration is the requirement that we find suitable methods for self-expression. This in itself breeds great difficulty for what is considered acceptable is determined often by bias and tradition. The visionary artist must attempt to walk a fine line between known practices and new or original ones. Consider not only the pressure associated with identifying new methodology, but also with influencing others to see it as you do. For many this is an insurmountable responsibility but one that every artist must assume if the desire is for the work to be seen and acknowledged.
A successful artist is able to unearth the rawest of emotion and/or present perceptions in a way that moves. Introspection is therefore an unavoidable means to an end. Our true nature, our sense of self, is time and time again exposed leaving us vulnerable.
Historically, only the strongest survive.
-- Mary
Are you driven to create? Tell us more... share your views on this subject here on "Mary's Page"
Rethinking a piece of your work? Just becuase you can doesn't mean you should. Avoid over editing, over processing, over doing a piece! Set it aside for awhile then come back to it with fresh eyes.
"2"
By Barbara Bezina
“What Should I Do Next?”
What do you do when no ideas are flowing when you need them to? While there isn't a single "best idea" to develop creative thinking, here are 5 ideas to help you jump-start your own creativity:
* Keep a journal with you so you can take notes on the fly. Creative thoughts can develop seemingly out of nowhere -- by something you see, something you smell, or something you hear. Your five senses have an amazing ability to revitalize memories and stimulate new thoughts. Write your ideas down as they come to you and keep those thoughts organized for future reference. You may also occasionally read or hear something that may lead to a bigger idea. Jot down those thoughts as well. Innovative ideas can come from anywhere - it's the enhancement or refinement of the original idea that makes it truly unique.
* Relax and take time to absorb your thoughts. You must have a clear mind to develop creative ideas and take them to the next level. It's vital to rid our minds of unnecessary or stressful thoughts that often consume too much of our conscious thinking and block our creative abilities. Rather, the goal is to have a calm mental slate that stimulates creativity.
* Create a thinking space that helps establish an atmosphere for relaxation and creativity. This thinking place should make you feel calm and at peace so that creativity is unblocked and able to flow. For some, a sip of wine, certain types of music, or a specific scent in the air can make a difference in how easily creative ideas will flow. Creative ideas come most easily when your mind is relaxed and open to new ideas.
* Do something out of the ordinary or even escape for a day-long mini-getaway. Go to a museum, hike a local mountain and take in the view, go for a scenic drive, or do whatever appeals to you. By doing something totally outside of your typical routine, your mind opens itself to fresh ideas and creative ideas are more likely to flow.
* Use your time at rest to develop creative ideas. The mind works subconsciously while sleeping so take full advantage. Before you fall asleep, concentrate on the creative solution you need. When you do fall asleep, your subconscious mind may produce potential solutions. If a creative idea comes to you in the middle of the night, be sure to have a pen and paper at bedside to write down your thoughts. You would be amazed at the number of great ideas that are suddenly lost forever come light of day.
Source: Karen Loye Porter, writer, educator. See recommends you read “How To Be Creative” by Hank Olguin Creative Ideas For Success
CREATE FIRST, THINK LATER!
What happens when you think before you create? You spend ages trying to find the perfect place to begin creating. The longer you spend thinking, the more you feel your motivation draining (or gushing!) away.
The more you think, the more you open up possible options. Hold on, isn't creativity about new ways of thinking and doing things? Yes, but spending time considering EVERY possible option isn't good. It often means that you get confused and overwhelmed with too many choices. Before you know it you’re experiencing decision overload! You then start to also question whether this is the right medium for the idea you have, and the choices that were already overwhelming have now been opened 100-fold to encompass every other possible form of creative expression that exists.
Overall, your confidence, your faith in making a good decision, and your desire and ability to create gradually slips away with every moment you spend THINKING about creating rather than just creating. So what's the alternative? Is there a better approach?
What happens when you create first, think later?
You start with a high level of enthusiasm and get creating right away. This creative energy carries forward and quickly builds momentum. Creating comes far more easily as a result. You learn as you go what works and what doesn't. Rather than pondering and speculating over what might work and what might not, you simply find out by getting stuck and experimenting. The best way to learn is in the doing.
Also, when you get creating, you teach yourself to be more creative and to trust your creative instincts more readily. In time, this makes it even easier to create, you need less time to think and ponder, you just trust yourself, listen to what your creative instinct is telling you! Your confidence builds with every new piece realized and your enjoyment to do more is fueled. Plus, you know that you're learning and developing all the time.
How can you start to take on this behavior today to help yourself be more creative?
Pick a project, get creating. Create first, think later. And procrastinate later! You'll find it'll increase your creativity - and your enjoyment of creating - many times over.
Source: Creativity Coach,Dan Goodwin
Learn from Digital Experimentation
-- Digital art tools let you experiment with color theory, composition and brush strokes without the toxins, mess and expenses associated with traditional art.
Zucilo Manipulated photography
by Maxim Shoshief
Call for Digital Artists!
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THIS SHOW AND RECEPTION
This page posted 24 May 2010
|
