Just like Louise Fletcher said in her free pdf on how to begin. Really, about being authentic and finding "your style". Yesterday I did enjoy listening to her podcast ArtJuice, talking about "time". Even real artists struggle to have time to paint.
I have been doing what she said she did or does. Watch a ton of YouTube videos, Instagram's and Pinterest. Me too except for the Instagram, which I avoid on principal.
Today, I am watching Jane Davies make stripes and lay down colors, mixing as she paints a pattern. I also watched and read Louise Fletcher. Carolyn J Roberts has been a current frequent influence and I did a digital class with Laura Horn. Laura Horn class did open up the difference between brushes. I still have the rest of that abstract watercolor class. It will be fun to go back to.
One thing is clear - these artists are fearless. They just do it. No fear or hang up on making perfect art. Any kind of art mark, throwing down of paint, or "marks" really is part of the mix. Putting down patterns, marks, scribbles. Using every tool in the tool box - Jane Davies just picked up her watercolor crayons, which I happen to be using at the same time I am watching and listening to her on YouTube.
I have strayed away from my current method of working small, using the pan paints and doing the marks or painting on small 2 x 2 pieces of paper or in my moleskin sketchbook.
Another observation, every artist I study, mimic or grab unto for inspiration has a segment on their website, podcast, Pinterest, Instagram - whatever on their sketchbook work.
Now Jane is adding white gel pen - another of my favorite things to do and adding another pattern to her painting.
Back to "straying" or experimenting with larger paper, other tools and paints. this has been somewhat frustrating, It feels like I am searching for the "next" art thing for me. The other frustrating thing is the lack of space to work. Right now I am adding crayon lines to existing sketchbook drawings in the moleskin sketchbook I am currently filling up.
What is she going to do with that lovely embroidery floss? She, Jane is so spontaneous. Fearless, I said. Now Plan B. Thick white paint - applied with the brayer. Her comments as she goes are quite funny and provide a running commentary on the experimentation and what emerges.
Now we are doing "kitchen table" art - marks, scribbles, pens, gel pens. This is art with dry materials. I have watched this video before and it is one of my favorites. Gather your dry materials, a water brush and go for it. Jane says this is not making art - this is playing with materials. But to me it is art to be done anywhere, anytime.
As I was saying, there is some frustration around art space and not having a studio, When I was working small with simple material it was not such a challenge. But some to think of it - that was last winter in while we were in Rochester for care at Mayo. The Rochester apartment, The Berkman, where I had a large island in which to work and do art. Actually more space then I have here in Seaside.
As I experiment with art, watch videos, write three pages in my journal - I ruminate about having an artist studio. My intentions always include having a studio. I get sad, frustrated, here i am more time to focus on art than ever before, my art practice shall I say - and I am challenged with space. As I have started to experiment with larger paper, more materials - not having a dedicated space to work makes me sad.
This is what I want to do and have the "head" space for and I am carrying supplies upstairs to work at my desk, or carrying materials and papers downstairs to work in the garage. Don't think about it - just do art.
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