getting started on the list

 

Often when I've heard or read interviews from accomplished artists (for lack of a better term) and they are asked what advice they have for aspiring artists, the answer is "make lots and lots of art"! Good art, bad art, it doesn't matter. Just make lots of it. I guess it goes along with the adage that Practice Makes Perfect. The more you do something, the more confident you are bound to get doing it, the more you will learn and the better you'll get. Thankfully, I have an incredibly supportive family who allows me plenty of time to work on my art but, still, I spend way more time just thinking about doing it. Too often I substitute real art time for quazi-art-time. Surely, you know the kind I mean. Instead of pushing past the creative blocks and unreliable motivation to just get in there and do the work myself, I settle for a quick fix from looking at other people's art on the internet, in magazines or books, collecting art supplies or the like. And if there's one thing Steven Pressfield has taught me it's that that kind of quick fix is more like an inoculation. And when it's a substitute for actually being creative for myself, I'm buying into the lie and avoiding what's truly important for my soul's growth. The only thing to do, then, realizing this is to suck it up, in season and out of season, and just do the work.

 

So one of my goals this new year for growing as an artist is to do the work of an artist as much as I can whether I feel like it or not. And so far, so good. I've taken a few more naps than I wish I had (Naptime is Resistance's most effective weapon against me), but spent a lot less wasted time on the computer and a lot more productive time at my desk. After the holidays I dug through the trash and chose some choice scraps of cardboard to paint and play with. Scrap cardboard is an ideal surface because it's cheap, readily available and already has some texture to add to your work. Not to mention the thrill of turning trash to treasure.

 

 

 

Again, there are no Mona Lisa's here but the point is I'm working and getting a chance to play around with my favorite new flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I even painted the backs thinking they'd make great mail art. But for now, they are adorning my desk and reminding me how good it feels to be productive. And gently encouraging me to keep up the good work.

Comments

[Shelley]

You have put into words a feeling that I've had for a long time - I procrastinate by doing the same things you do! Thanks for the reminder to just get in there and pick up a brush already.

[debbiejl]

Yep! Me too! I am working on being more productive and just making art. Thanks for the reminder that it can be "good or bad" - its the lots that matters!

BTW, I love these paintings!

[Gabriella]

haha, I also lately been using cardboard for my art. I love it but yeah, I can't help it either.

[kass]

I've just come to your blog for the first time and your post mentions Steven Pressfield - whose book I am reading this minute. It was MEANT TO BE that I came here today!

Love your work Debra, you're now in my bookmark list!

[Nancy Patterson]

My mother just passed away--she was an artist. I used to buy her all sorts of beautiful papers to work on, but she was comfortable from working on cardboard, scrap pieces. I don't know why, maybe it was because she was brought up during the depression. It hurts me to think that she didn't think she was good enough to work on those papers, but I will never know.

I am going to take those scraps and put them in her sketchbook. They are precious items. Just found your blog through Connie's post. I'm going to follow it...thank you!!