Wednesday, October 3, 2012

reflections, insights & adventures


Hello!  I have so much to share - reflections, insights and adventures...

It has been a challenging 3 months.  I said goodbye to my sweetheart in July after his first R&R ended. I packed up our house & my business and moved from Budapest to Seattle.  I lived (and worked) out of my suitcases for 7 weeks.  I assembled more Ikea furniture than I care to think about.  I spent countless late nights working on projects for 2 new clients (announcement coming soon).  It has been an interesting transition to say the least.  A bit harder than I expected to be honest.  Which is why I haven't been blogging as much as usual.

One of my biggest adjustments these past few months has been working non stop in front of my computer.  I haven't done much creating for myself in a long time.  Yes, I create everyday for business, but that is different.  I believe artists, especially commercial artists, need to play and experiment outside of client work in order to keep the ideas fresh and creativity flowing.  This creative freedom is what energizes me and keeps me growing as an artist.  I have been thinking a lot about this lately-can you tell?  I started reading a book called "Make More Great Work".  I am not one who buys self help books or inspirational reads, but a friend sent me a link to this book and I thought I would give it a shot.  One sentence really hit home, "It is a source of both deep comfort and engagement - often you feel you're in the "flow zone" where time stands still and you're working at your best, effortlessly."  This is exactly how I feel when I am painting.  I bought the book and am excited to read and learn more.

I am telling you all this because I am packing my bags for 3 weeks and am meeting my sweetheart in...drum roll please...BALI!  And, with only my sketchbook and art supplies packed in my bag, I am excited to create and find my "flow zone" again.  It was a big decision for me to leave the computer at home.  Owning my own business, I feel I should be checking email regularly so not to miss a request or potential prospect.  But, stepping away from technology and embracing traditional tools is going to be exciting.  I know I will thank myself for this later - and my cleints will also.  I leave tonight and the anticipation is overwhelming!!  

So, see you at the end of the month.  I will have a ton of photos and stories to share!  


Monday, October 1, 2012

red + blue = purple

I have always thought of myself as a morning person.  I like sipping my hot coffee with that sleepiness that creates a nice calm inner self.  Do you know what I mean?  Lately, I have been working into the late hours.  At around midnight, I get so tired of thinking and creating that I give in and surrender to any crazy idea that crosses my mind.  Last night it was silk paints on paper.  I have hundreds of sumi paintings that I have done over the past 3 years.  None of them are finished works - they are studies and starts to bigger ideas.  So, last night I pulled one out and started messing around with red and blue silk paints on the paper. No project in mind. No ideas on what the end product would look like.  No pressure to even finish whatever I started.  Just pure experimentation and freedom to create.  I wonder what kind of art is in my future....I am getting excited to see where this goes.  My goal is to make it a habit to do a little of this experimenting every night.  

I am curious, do you find you are more creative at a certain time of the day?  Why at that time?