Beale Street – Memphis, Tennessee

I recently picked up Good magazine, and the issue was called their slow issue. All about the slow movement, slow food, and everything else related to slowing down. It’s a very interesting read if you feel so inclined to pick it up.

It got me thinking about how I recently decided to let go of expectations in my art, and slow down. That is one reason why there has been a slight lack of posting around here. Since I’ve been busier lately, and a longer commute means less time at night. I decided to set a time limit, each night I spend an hour on my art, in whatever form that takes. I don’t pressure myself to finish anything, or to start anything. Some nights I simply organize my studio, others I have spent just doodling and sketching. It is a slower approach to art for me. I used to work quickly, and liked to finish paintings in one sitting if possible. I still work quickly, but find that setting a time limit has helped me to let go of the finished piece and focus on the creating part more. It’s only been a few weeks of trying this out, but so far I feel like though I’m not cranking out art left and right that there are some good pieces coming through, and in due time they will make their appearance in this world.

Winter is a slow season, a time for reflection, and a time to slow down…

And some of the works in progress…

I’ve had no routine here with posting. I have been feeling oddly disconnected from a lot of things, including my creativity. I managed to spend some time (not enough) in my studio this past weekend. I was all excited after taking a trip to the art supply store and picking up a few new brushes, and paper, and paint. I had also ordered some larger sheets of paper a few weeks ago and those have been sitting in my studio untouched. As I sat staring at the blank page before me I realized that I was having trouble starting, as I was scared. Scared of not being good enough. It crept up on me, and I found it interesting that I was actually worried about messing up on these nice sheets of paper I had just sitting there.

So I painted a little, did illustration friday, and then decided to just go for it. Try something new already. I have been playing around with these new monoprint inks I got, and am loving the outcome but feeling I still need to practice the technique a bit. Here is one of my first monoprints.

As I was trying to figure out how I could work on a larger scale, since my acrylic board is not large enough, I decided to just put the ink right down on the table.

Then I made the print, and was actually happy that I gave this technique a try, as I am excited about the possibilities. Here is the monoprint…

I then added some color, and went over some of the lines for more definition. I think I will be doing a bit more to this before I call it done. The paper is ivory colored, which creates a nice warm feeling to this piece.

So I am very happy I just went for it, and it actually feels like I am slightly less stuck now, can’t say I feel a huge shift but something slightly moved. I guess I’ve been having trouble finding inspiration, and figuring out just what it is I want to create!