I’m no pro at art nor do I endeavor to sell my art bit simply hand it in my own home and enjoy it. That said, I find batching my work ie work on several pieces at a time and giving myself the grace that 3 months, 33 months or 3 hrs and 33 min is the right amount of time. Before I retired I saved the weekend for art only to become paralyzed by the huge block of time. Now I work in the one stroke principle I made for myself. One pencil mark, one collage piece, one paint stroke is enough! If something more develops yay for me. I also find that one stroke at a time gives me and the art piece time to marinate in what might come next.
Being paralyzed by that huge chunk of time— or maybe, the expectations we place on that block of time— is real! It doesn't happen to me every time, but it happens a lot, especially when I don't have a specific project or work in mind. Your approach sounds sensible. I have found that allowing myself to sort of drift in and out of the studio, rathe than trying to sit down to it like I would at work, has been helpful. Takes the pressure off!
Totally empathise with what you say. I too, give myself such a hard time if I'm not painting all the time! It's such a difficult mindset to shift, thinking that solely painting is what an artist does all day isn't it? It took going to the local coffee shop to let myself read a 'business' book! And there is that pressure, put on by myself, I might add, to keep creating work that I know will probably sell; thinking that time spent pushing myself, extending my boundaries - well, that's a luxury I don't have the time for..... But therein lies boredom and frustration, and a vicious circle begins.. When I find a solution, I'll be sure and let you know!! Carolyn
If I find a solution, I’ll let you know, too, Carolyn! It is a vicious circle. Every time you have a really good spell, you think Ah! I've beaten it! And then it returns haha. Sigh. Always worth it, though.
1000% I know what I'm capable of, but without practice, I can't complete a painting project quickly enough. I just get sick of working on it and give up, thinking I'll pick it up again someday... Ha! I find it easier to work on creative projects that I don't have a lot of experience in, such as quilting, as I don't have high standards for the finished product... Yet!
Yep, I do the same thing. New skills are always the funnest (yes, the funnest)— because you're not meant to be an expert, so you can just dig in and do whatever you feel like! One of the things I love about printmaking (versus painting) is that no matter how much you plan, the magical printmaking daemons will come play. and things will happen that you had not planned or anticipated_ and sometimes they are amazing things! Also, the very nature of the etching process means there is no way to do it all in one go, so I am much more patient, and allow the process to demand whatever it will demand of me. Whereas painting is much more immediate and therefore frustrating and I do miss the daemons. I think that's why I paint with ink and water— because there are at least some surprises.
I’m no pro at art nor do I endeavor to sell my art bit simply hand it in my own home and enjoy it. That said, I find batching my work ie work on several pieces at a time and giving myself the grace that 3 months, 33 months or 3 hrs and 33 min is the right amount of time. Before I retired I saved the weekend for art only to become paralyzed by the huge block of time. Now I work in the one stroke principle I made for myself. One pencil mark, one collage piece, one paint stroke is enough! If something more develops yay for me. I also find that one stroke at a time gives me and the art piece time to marinate in what might come next.
Being paralyzed by that huge chunk of time— or maybe, the expectations we place on that block of time— is real! It doesn't happen to me every time, but it happens a lot, especially when I don't have a specific project or work in mind. Your approach sounds sensible. I have found that allowing myself to sort of drift in and out of the studio, rathe than trying to sit down to it like I would at work, has been helpful. Takes the pressure off!
Totally empathise with what you say. I too, give myself such a hard time if I'm not painting all the time! It's such a difficult mindset to shift, thinking that solely painting is what an artist does all day isn't it? It took going to the local coffee shop to let myself read a 'business' book! And there is that pressure, put on by myself, I might add, to keep creating work that I know will probably sell; thinking that time spent pushing myself, extending my boundaries - well, that's a luxury I don't have the time for..... But therein lies boredom and frustration, and a vicious circle begins.. When I find a solution, I'll be sure and let you know!! Carolyn
If I find a solution, I’ll let you know, too, Carolyn! It is a vicious circle. Every time you have a really good spell, you think Ah! I've beaten it! And then it returns haha. Sigh. Always worth it, though.
Yes, exactly that!! But yes, when it goes well, it's the best feeling!!
1000% I know what I'm capable of, but without practice, I can't complete a painting project quickly enough. I just get sick of working on it and give up, thinking I'll pick it up again someday... Ha! I find it easier to work on creative projects that I don't have a lot of experience in, such as quilting, as I don't have high standards for the finished product... Yet!
Yep, I do the same thing. New skills are always the funnest (yes, the funnest)— because you're not meant to be an expert, so you can just dig in and do whatever you feel like! One of the things I love about printmaking (versus painting) is that no matter how much you plan, the magical printmaking daemons will come play. and things will happen that you had not planned or anticipated_ and sometimes they are amazing things! Also, the very nature of the etching process means there is no way to do it all in one go, so I am much more patient, and allow the process to demand whatever it will demand of me. Whereas painting is much more immediate and therefore frustrating and I do miss the daemons. I think that's why I paint with ink and water— because there are at least some surprises.