Prelude to Creative Shift

I've decided to go through Sally-Ann Ashley's Creative Shift again this year. It really helped me on my creative journey the last time I did the course (is it two years ago? I can't remember) . I have gone back to my notes many times and I still use a lot of the ideas to find my way when I am lost. This year, I feel I need it more than ever, so I have signed up for the full course again. It's starting in early September, but she's running a free mini-intro, called Seeing More Clearly, and I'm enjoying it already. It was fun to make an concertina sketchbook out of heavyweight cartridge paper. I can already see that the format will help me see things more clearly!!

The big ha-ha for me was using the Photos app on my laptop and taking screenshots of groups of 8 thumbnails of photos I had selected from my Google Photo albums. I had chosen the images by location, but otherwise just going with my gut instinct as to what images appealed to me. I take photos in 16x9 format, but the Photos app on my Mac shows me square thumbnails. 4 to the width of my screen. I took screenshots of 2 rows of 4 at a time. Completely random. And yet, what I saw in front of my eyes was so beautiful. Great start to another creative adventure!

Journey

The journey has started. First layer exploration of two of the compositions from my 6 pieces.

Elemental

I'm painting again! I was starting to worry. I had so many ideas that I felt like a rabbit in the headlights. But  after spending some time in my studio book, looking back at notes from 3 years ago and painting from the last couple of years, I had a better idea of what I wanted. So, here is the first step! Lots of ideas emerging already from this set of 6 painted as one. Mostly watercolour, lots and lots of water. And a little watersoluble pencil.

Small thumbnails

It's a long time since I've done small thumbnails. I was checking out some colour combinations. Neither piece is completely satisfying, but the one with Grey of Grey and Bloodstone Genuine (and a Hansa Yellow Deep or Gamboge, not sure which_ does appeal to me the most. I'll park it for now, but will come back to the idea at some stage. 

Rough and Smooth

Can't decide what paper to use. I thought hot press would be best, but I'm getting better results with rough paper! I thought I wasn't going to pursue results. I'm just experimenting and playing, right?

Time for reflection, reset, trial and error

I haven't been painting much lately, busy with sketching and other distractions. It's really been a few months since I have painted anything I'm 100% happy with (apart from the big cloud over the beach, which I like a lot). Amazing how hard it is to get back to painting now.  

I'm taking it one step at a time, looking at my own works that I like, thinking about what I want to take from this reflection. Also refocusing on shift words and how they might express in design elements. Basically going back to process and play, rather than trying to paint a painting worthy of an exhibition. It will take a while!

No prizes for guessing which ones I'm happy with! I just have to listen to my inner voice and remember not to try so hard!!

Starting over

Time to start painting again. I don't know where this is going. It feels heavy and awkward. This is how it's been feeling for quite a while now, but it's all part of the journey. The 2 larger pieces done on cartridge paper. The smaller one on watercolour paper. Then crops from one of the larger pieces.

Need to recenter

So I've been all over the place over the last few months. It will take me a while to get back to painting what my heart needs. I know where to start - colours, words, notes in my studio book, big thumbnails where I work out the feelings rather than composition.

 

Circles and sound waves

Lots of things to explore, mind full of ideas. Spent the day reading about sound waves, but also thinking of how ripples form in water when you throw a pebble in. Watercolour and Artgraf. Read lots of about sound waves produced by a cello. I'm really interested in Bach Cello Solo #1 and I love this representation of it (I don't read music so this was helpful). So, yes, mind going in all sorts of directions. And I'm travelling to Belgium and The Hague next. So it will be a while before I get a chance to fully explore this.

Two days exploring abstract art with Nuala Clarke

I attended a workshop about abstract art with the wonderful Nuala Clarke. Loved it. So much to think about. I've written it all in my studio book and now I need to think about it all. Funny how the last doodle I did in my little sketchbook on the 2nd day is what's pulling me in now.

 

Too much

I don't know if I'm at a crossroads or an impasse. Either way, it's uncomfortable. But I feel pulled to keep on trying.

I added more white acrylic paint, more watercolour, more gouache. It's a bloody mess, but has an energy. Then I decide to cover all of that with white gesso. What to do next? Part of me feels I went too far, and how will watercolour work on top of that? I could add some watercolour ground? Would I have been better off starting from scratch? But then I'll never know.