Inspiration

Sometimes we need a break from the 'doing' because we seem to have reached a roadblock - a brick wall - a blank canvas - a confused mirage of colour pieces that simply don't work together ! - or whatever your description of it might be.

At such moments we need inspiration!

A few sources of inspiration which help me refocus and "re-hope" - not sure that is a real word but it serves my purpose - include:

1.  Julia Cameron's Facebook page which I have 'Liked' and which regularly posts quotes which encourage artists of all types.

2.  Looking at colour and pattern which I find in my sister's delightful store, Periwinkle.  I once thought I too could be a quilter but soon found that I simply could not cut up into little pieces all the beautiful fabrics and then redesign them so to speak - so now I am what I refer to as a "lazy" quilter, piecing mostly squares and rectangles which maintain the patterns in them…. and I am content with that.

3.  Sitting by the river watching the sun dance on the snow and ice and drift along on the current - simply enjoying being there although I must confess that I also chastise myself for thinking I must always be viewing something I might paint - rather than simply observing.

4.  Accessing a new resource on painting.  I recently obtained Peter Fiore's DVD,  Painting River Bend, an oil painting demonstration in which he, over 6 days, shows how he paints this incredible picture.  I even drove along the river here until I found a bend in it which I am going to use to paint a larger sized picture after the manner in which he is painting.  Anyway, I simply had to give 'the bend' a try and did a small watercolour.
You can check out this DVD and Peter's work here:  http://www.peterfiore.com

River Bend, South Saskatchewan River

5.  Spending time talking with another artist and hearing how they pull together a painting while striving to understand the essence of what they are saying and why they paint what they do … then realizing that perhaps I too can once again take the baby steps needed to keep on learning and doing.  

Today I had the privilege of chatting with Craig Berry in his delightful studio about oil painting and about colour [hue, value and chroma :)]. I have so much to learn but know that I don't need to learn it all at once.  What an inspiration today's visit was.  His website is found here:  http://atelier2302.com 

6.  Every so often I just need to stop painting which is somewhat contradictory to those who feel that an artist must paint, or write, or sing "every day"!!  I just can't.  I have found that I can't 'only paint', nor can I paint everyday.  I must also read, reflect, and occasionally listen to incredible symphonies.  I must give painting a rest.  Certain books help me better understand what I am about - they say things that I am feeling or have experienced but can't seem to put into words.  As such, then complement who I am as a painter.  They inspire me.

Madeleine L'Engle's, Walking on Water, is such a book.  I'm challenged by thoughts such as, "I recognize that the work often knows more than I do… and with each book I start I have hopes that I may be helped to serve it a little more fully.  The great artists… collaborate with the work, but for most of us, it is our greatest privilege to be its servant…. When the artist is truly the servant of the work, the work is better than the artist.  When the work takes over then the artist is enabled to get out of the way, not to interfere.  When the work takes over, the artist listens." There have been a few paintings when I have somehow understood this to be true. 

7.  And finally, a few years back I felt "blocked" when it came to painting.  I saw a zentangle and decided to give it a try.  Now I have a small journal of zentangles and I know that when I just need to get my hands and fingers moving but can't seem to paint, I still have a few pages left on which to create a zentangle.

I think that each of us find our own way to be creative and to keep creating.  God is creative - the ultimate Creator! We, his creation, can not help but create - it is in our DNA.  But we are told, that even God took a rest - so I will no longer berate myself for taking a break when a roadblock comes - I will rest and then learn how to keep moving through it 'til I come to the new day.