Elizabeth Gilbert on Nurturing creativity

In Gilbert's speech she mentioned a moment while writing Eat, Pray, Love where she finds herself stuck in her own genius and she feels this intense feeling of failure. I had a similar experience last week while working on my second painting in the series. I have never felt 100% confident in my painting abilities until I produced my first piece of work. However embarking on my second piece for some reason I could not get over the fact that one would be better then the other or the shading ect was not perfect. I then came to thought that it's ok to not be perfect; flaws sometimes make things beautiful. I know I have flaws in my paintings but I know its the way that I make flaws which makes my piece beautiful and unique.

Painting 1. The background is a light gray which you cant tell by the picture.

Austin Kleon (artist)

25 Quotes to help you steal like an artist.

“Every idea is a juxtaposition. That’s it. A juxtaposition of existing concepts.”— Steven Grant

I really like this quote because I am basing my painting off what was already painted by someone. So i am constantly juxtaposing the 2 of them making sure I add my own flare to my piece.

Austin Kleon (artist)

 Austin Kleon the artist is very unique. He uses a bunch of different mediums which I really like. My favorite quote of his was "do good work and put it where people can see it." I think that really reflects what I am doing this term. I am working my hardest to produce quality work because i know it is going to be displayed where friends and family and strangers can see it.

Real life flowers

 

I thought this painting was interesting because its soo realistic because of the shading. 

Abstract Flowers

I like the idea of this because it is abstract flowers. Not some still life painting..its different.

Painting of flower

I really liked this flower painting because of the shading. It is similar to what I am trying to do with my work :)

Almost finished

Not the best picture but this is what i have so far

. I am going to paint the background a REALLY light grey.

Painting

So far there is shading on a couple of the flowers and I need to work on the last two and shading on the others. Im also contemplating what the background color should be..any ideas?

Tues April 12, 2011

          Today in class we were able to critique people as well as receive critique. We went down the line of every ones work. When we reached mine people were able to tell me what they thought would be good to see in the painting and what they like and how i can improve it.

• shading
• 2nd coat of paint
• leave the background white

          It was nice to hear an outside voice and input on what they would like to see. It was not just one persons prospective but rather a group of people collaborating and discussing what they would like to see if this painting was up.

The Critique Handbook by Kendall Buster and Paula Crawford

The artist intentions, active and reactive listening and introducing your work could be present in the class during critiquing. When a person is is critiquing you do not take it to heart because of one persons opinion. You should use the collaborated ideas within the class. If someone is taking to time to help you better your work you should take the time and listen to what they have to say. I think a main objective is to help the person out do not just say that oh i like it or oh its nice. Give them constructive criticism to help them better their work. Do give them positive feedback after stating something that could help their work. Give them a compliment on what they have made so far.

Week 3

This week so far i have begun my first of 2 paintings. The picture on the left is the start of the painting and the picture on the right is the start of the first purple flower. I have not started my main shading yet. What I plan to do is take a light to help guide me what should be lighter and which places should be darker.

purple flower beginning

Outline in pencil and start of black stems ect

Georgia O'Keeffe

         I love Georgia O'Keeffe. Her paintings are made of abstract flowers along with looking so realistic. That is what I want to portray in my paintings

Inspired

           Today in class I am asked..why flowers? I think about it and ponder yeah why would I paint flowers? The reason why I would paint flowers would be because flowers are a sense of hope. I was born in the spring time and seeing flowers always reminds me of happiness and my birthday. Whenever I see flowers I also think of my mother and how she always has flowers around the house in big vases. I love flowers they are so apparent in my life.
            Flowers are brought to me after a big accomplishment. Getting into college, graduation, great report card and birthdays. So now thinking back on the question..why flowers? I want to paint flowers because they are ever so present in my life. Every time I see them it brings out happiness and brings back memories.
            I want to make a painting of flowers that has an abstract twist to them because as much as I love flowers I love the abstract ideas behind them....thats why I want to paint flowers.

Artists

Georgia O'Keeffe

Van Gogh

Georgia O'keeffe

Double Block Reflection

      Today was an amazing day! I finished up stretching out both canvas for my project. I then went over them with a white paint to finish them off and tighten up the canvas material. Im so excited to start painting. Im going to start both paintings that way if I get tired of doing one there is the other one to do.
      A problem that I faced when starting the white primer was that it bends the canvas and contorts the rectangular shape. So in order to fix this I laid down a bottle of paint on each corner so the canvas would dry properly.

The first coat of the white primer

Frame before the canvas

Piecing together the frame

Art & Fear

1. "Were talent a prerequisite, then the better the artwork, the easier it would have been too make" (27).

2. "...To require perfection is to invite paralysis" (30).

3. For the artist, the dilemma seems obvious: risk rejection by exploring new worlds, or court acceptance by following well-explored paths" (43).

       I can relate to all these quotes because they are all something I experience almost every time I make artwork. Art does require a lot of talent and time it is not something that you get the first time. You have to work and continue working to become a good artist. With art you need to try something new even if it does not work out at least you tried it rather then doing something you know you are good at and not pushing yourself to use different mediums ect. You also have to realize that nothing is going to come out perfect with your work but that flaws can make something beautiful. The quotes are very similar to my art. I love to try new things to see if something can work out even if its not perfect I will know that that specific thing is not for me.

Paintings

Painting of the rough draft i am working on

2nd in the series

3rd in the series

Week 2 Reflection

This week has been going really well! I am in my final stages on deciding for my project. Im am going to do a series of paintings (3) and have them on rather big canvases; 33'x37'. I am going to paint them based off of actual pictures that I found on the internet.
Everyday before I even start to do work I try and doodle with charcoal. It helps me get into the art mindset for the period. The charcoal drawings help me also ease into art rather then just taking a jump start and going in with "warming up".

rough draft of one of the series

beginning rough draft

charcoal drawings before class