inspiration

I joined the Thriving Artist’s summit in December.  It was a jam packed online series of conversations about thriving as artists.  Bonnie Glendinning was the host and she interviewed more than 25 people who are successfully in the art business.  There is still time to join the conversation.

This video features many of the artists who participated.  I was surprised to see a few folks who I know.  Maybe you will see someone you know too.

My goal now is to actually apply some of what I have learned.

Today is it foggy and rainy here in Haverhill, MA.  It is a great day to be in the studio.  I wandered around with my camera to see what I usually don’t see.  Do you follow me?

I love texture, tangles and found beauty.

Matisse started out as a lawyer too.  Maybe that is one reason I feel connected to him/his work.

I love the free hand cut shapes of his later work. His simple and yet powerful line drawing give me hope too.  I have to remind myself to look for inspiration from the masters.  When I look for inspiration, I flip through books for a feeling, a connection an emotion.  It is not really something verbal or even visually.  It is what happens beyond those senses.   Then I have to do something!  Take Action.

To the Haverhill Public library on this chilly winter day.  I found a stack of inspiration to distract me from the cold.  I have the space heater pumping toasty warm heat on to my feet.  I hear tires spinning every so often as a car struggles to make the corner turn just out side my studio window.

Do you look to books for inspiration?

I am a teacher at heart.  I was given the opportunity to observe a teaching situation with my young nephew just a few days ago.  

The 7 year old wanted to draw a complex six armed surfing buddha.  He was used to having a tracing template at school.  And he wanted it to be “perfect” the first time.

Hmm how to help him?  I gathered the right tools, pencil and a soft eraser and lots of practice paper.  Then we broke the drawing down into shapes that he already knows, circles, smiley faces, triangles, sloping lines and more triangles.

I was able to see his drawing technique transform right before my eyes in just minutes!  At first he tried to draw the whole image from memory. Then as we drew the circles and smiley faces and triangles, he started to look at the picture for reference.

I told him we would transform the circles into “wave hands later.”  He was willing to wait and trust that he could do a rough drawing and transform it as he went along.

When you learn a new skill do you:

• gather the right tools
• lots of practice materials
• start with what you already know
• listen to a gentle teacher
• willing to be imperfect

I suggest you give yourself these gifts the next time you set out to learn a new skill.