FunWorkPlay
January 24, 2008
[Beginning :: 5" x 7" acrylic, pencil, ink and pastel on wood panel]
I started this year with eyes open wide and my heart full of excitement over one simple fact that doesn’t cross most people’s minds with such frequency and intensity – we won’t be moving this year. Knowing this, I have been able to approach my work with larger visions, more specific long term goals, and a stronger commitment to breaking some deeply entrenched bad habits. I know I am not even one month into 2008, but I am already breaking through barriers I had begun to fear might be too tall to conquer.
Over the past few years, during the feast episodes of my feast or famine work life, I had many chunks of time in my studio that felt fun, but this week I was able to let go of that anxious, I’m in a race feeling a little bit more, and the fun meter began to tilt a little farther to the right. I was in a bit of a mad scramble to finish up pieces for Nahcotta Gallery’s upcoming Enormous Tiny Art Show, but I was able to relax into the process and even allow myself a bit of experimentation before finally diving into this most recent series. I put no pressure on myself to finish a certain number of pieces and I ended up with more than I thought I could accomplish.
[Curious Light :: 5" x 7" acrylic, pencil, ink and pastel on wood panel]
There have been plenty of times when I have reached dead ends with my work, gotten frustrated and created works that I really did not like, but for whatever reason this week flowed beautifully. I know many would argue that great art is about struggle and pain and sweat, and perhaps there is an element of truth to that. But my work has had a significant element of struggle to it for so long now, through so many moves and upheavals and personal distractions, I am happy to invite more ease, enjoyment and yes – fun – into my creative process.
I believe I have barely scratched the surface here, and I am actually looking forward to that moment when I do it a wall…when challenges start to pop up and force me to spend more time contemplating how to solve whatever creative problem is before me. That time will come soon enough, and for now I am happily creating, eager to share my work, putting it out there and seeing where the wind takes it. I hope these latest little creatures fly to happy homes, where someone can look at them and feel the joy I experienced bringing them to life.
[To see the entire series, click here.]
It is SO awesome to read what you wrote about ease, and flow. I do think that there is something to the whole working through turmoil and trials and fire, and the such like, but I also think if you have done your shar eof the turmoil, there should start to be some ease, some beautiful flow when creating… your words make me feel positive, and hopeful…
I am just starting to dip my toes back into my creative side and so far I haven’t gotten anywhere. I approach my canvas, my mind flowing with ideas. As soon as I sit down, I freeze. I like reading what you wrote about your struggles with your work and what other artists may feel. It makes me feel more at peace with my pace and hopeful that one day I just might create something…beautiful…not just to myself but to others.
Oh I LOVE these Christine! How could I not love such tiny creatures with beautiful wings and sentiments
I really enjoy this new piece. I know you will reach your goals.Thanks for continuing to inspire me with your words and art.
my angel, these are simply divine – and i smile picturing you in your studio, with your hair on fire as the inspiration pours out
x
I find your work so lovely and so inspiring. Thank you for creating and for sharing.
Speaking of flow, have you read the book?
http://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Mihaly-Csikszentmihalyi/dp/0060920432/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201316281&sr=8-1
Talk about inspiring! Might be something for sparkletopia.
fun is definitely a good thing to have during the creative process. i’m excited by these new pieces too!
Swirly…of course you are having fun…that really is the key i think and you have lived each day as a creative soul, totally committed to your artisic pursuits and as usual, i look at that as a role model to being creative and living that life. I can’t tell you how much i relate to the idea of not having to move and that being a sense of major stability and cause for strength in the creative process..i feel that i am struggling with that now, not having a home base…so to hear that gives me the strength to know that i will be there too…in my studio..creating…i don’t believe we have to suffer for our art…it is hard enough as it is..so i am happy to know that your fun meter is tilting to the right….
Christine-they are all gorgeous-I have a few favorites, but each one ellicits such wonderful emotion when I look at them.
It is beautiful to imagine you just enjoying this process. It doesn’t have to be a struggle. Look at what came out of the ease.
XO
Christine, I love these paintings, and connected them immediately to a fantastic novel I just read – perhaps you would like it, too! It’s THE WORLD TO COME, by Dara Horn. Incredibly beautiful and thought provoking – and it’s about artists!
Also, I am so absolutely in love with Sparkletopia – what an amazing resource you’re giving your creative community! I was addicted within my first few days reading it, as I have been to your Swirly blog. You just shine good, lady! Thanks so much for giving your readers so many places to go for inspiration and a feeling of community.
Curious light got me deep. . . Thank God for not being so nomad-ish.
The lightness shows!! These pieces look so soothing and beautiful! ~