Monday, October 15, 2007

I got shit for supplies!


It's already a freakin' strain getting me to draw, emboss or paint something lately. I don't need my supplies crappin' out on me! When I reach for my pen and I'm ready to wham out some freeing lines, I don't expect it to scream in silence across the paper. Why do I keep this shit? Trash! I've got a list 11" long of stuff I want. Stuff I need! Tomorrow is money day. I gotta squirrel some away for Christmas, but I gotta buy some art supplies to inspire this pissed off chick.


I'm going to find a way to indulge and take some art courses this winter. The first one will be given by my friend and artist Beverly Brand Donato. She's teaching a course using the workbook, The Artist's Way. It'll just be a nice intro course to get my juices flowing. The Wallkill River School has their new workshop schedule and they are freakin' kick-ass. It reminds me of the courses that were available to me when I was attending college before I lost myself in a shameful state. No matter, I'm here with the want, so off I go...

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Confident Impulse



I've been doing alot of ironing lately. I've recently added a couple of work wardrobe additions that require a little smoothing out. So I resigned to the fact I couldn't escape this chore even though not too long ago, I would have considered the task decidedly avoidable. The once peaceful morning is now occassionally jolted by the distinctive ear splitting screech from the sound of the opening metal ironing board like prying the jaws of an aluminum alligator. Then I methodically reach up, bring down my trusty iron, set it up, plug her in and focus on positioning the garment. Just this morning before I even took three sips of coffee, my son projected a cotton shirt toward me and said, "Could you iron this?" Like wonder woman I instinctively knew the motions. The merciless sound, SCRREEEECH! Reach, plug and set and I'm as capable as you could imagine. Within minutes the pressing deed is done and I'm filled with satisfaction; my son is also pleased then proceeds to tell me that he picked something else to wear today, but thanks anyway.

So why am I talking about this? What does ironing have to do with being creative? To me, chores and creativity are natural enemies, however, I did step back and wondered about how I understand and respond to chores and how quickly I acted upon that particular spontaneous "son needs ironing" circumstance. I figured it out. It's because I know where everything is, and I know what I'm doing and I know what the results will be.

I have been frustrated lately because too many times during the day, I encounter a visual image for a potential painting or design. I know it's good practice to write it down or sketch it out, but I haven't always been very compliant. If I'm lucky, the ideas will transpire while I'm in my studio space and I could ... yeah... get ... right ... on... it. Uhhh...maybe later. Well, this makes perfect sense to me because I think the problem is, I don't know where anything is, I don't know what medium I'd like to express it in and I don't know how it's going to turn out!

So from now on I want to respond to an artistic opportunity the same way I tackle a grocery list. With focus, intention and delicious results. I can whip out some paper, grab a pencil and with confident insight, longing and knowledge, render the idea and don't stop until all the wrinkles are out.