Have a good one everyone!
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011
guilty.......
As I've already mentioned, I'm reading Twyla Tharp's book, 'The Creative Habit' - as in all books that profess an individuals personal point of view, some of it hits home and some of it doesn't - it appeals on so many levels for me and when one of her thoughts resonates, it's like a home run! I'm sure if I sat down in a room with 5 or 10 other people reading the book, everyone would have their own personal connections - well, ya, that makes sense! Anyway, last night after one of the weirdest days I've spent on the planet, I settled in with Twyla - as I'm reading along she relates a time when she was given unlimited resources to choreograph for a prominent ballet company - she was ecstatic and went big and made a not so good ballet, yet she had everything she wanted and more - she said as she looked back she realized that her best work was created out of adversity when her resources were severely limited - this is when she excelled! She was pushed to be creative with what she had and found original ways to use her limited resources that she wouldn't have found if she had been given everything. Of course! I can see that - Guilty! I have dreamed for years of a bigger better studio - unlimited art supplies - but would these make me a better artist? hmmmmmm, I don't think so - my space is extremely humble, but it's MY space and it's limitations have forced me to focus all my energies on what I can do in the space and not what I can't do - I've circumvented many of the expensive materials in the art stores with common materials I can get at hardware stores or in our garage - actually I have found this to be extremely fun to experiment and have found materials I never would have thought of using - so all our limitations open doors that we might never have knocked on. She had a quote that I wrote down and is now in my workspace - 'whom the gods wish to destroy, they give unlimited resources' wow!
I did finish a painting this week - this is mixed media on bristol paper 19x24, 'When The Air Gets Too Thin'
Have a good one everyone!
© All Rights Reserved
Have a good one everyone!
© All Rights Reserved
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24 comments:
Jeane - you have given wise words along with Twyla - some of the best works I have done have come off the kitchen table in reflection!! But you never realise this until someone like you have put this in front of us!!
Keep reading and sharing - your work is wonderful - I love your palette - as mine takes off in all directions!! Cheers and thanks!
I must get this book.
wow.
i really want this book too. I'm going to swing by barnes and nobles and see if i can find it. i watched (yet another) docu on vincent van gogh last night and i couldn't help but think of him when you shared that quote.
xx
a
'whom the gods wish to destroy...'
love that...
xoxo
good morning
wonderful image with wonderful title.
love that :)
xx
Wise and timely words! I'm guilty of the my-elbows-are-constantly-bruised-because-my-studio-is-too-tiny gripe. But, I have to remember that I'm lucky to have one and I do believe that we rise to the various challenges and restrictions we face, and from these can come innovations and art with a depth that isn't always possible under comfy circumstances.
Hi Jeane. I'm laughing over my breakfast. As you know, my best work emerges when I'm scribbling away in a gale on the beach or riding the last bus home and daily, at the kitchen table surrounded by the stuff of a life. Whenever I've made a "studio" space all I do is sit in it feeling like I have to be neat, wondering when I can get out of there! Might have to check out Twyla!
Hello - been following for a good while now, but I don't usually comment (I'm a blog lurker I'm afraid) - anyway I think the quote is spot on (look what's happening to our respective economies :-)) and my favourite on the same topic is: 'Without resistance there is no creativity' Jean Cocteau. The myth of complete freedom and unlimited resources being what you need for creativity is just that, a myth. We need something to push against.
And I love your work, btw!
Interesting, I've blogged about similar thoughts while reading Shaun McNiff's book Trust the Process an artist guide to letting go. Wonderful new piece, I can feel it's pulse!
Like everyone else said, I agree with the theory, 'no pain, no gain', artistically speaking. We artists are lucky to be able to make art to find that release. Wonder what non-artists do to discover their silver lining?
I guess we all know truth when we hear it from the comments so far. I know this year I splurged on some things I had been longing to work with but found my voice disappearing in all the fancy trappings. Thanks for the thoughts and your always beautiful work
Extremely wise words
thank you so much Wyn, and yes!, it's true isn't it! adversity is our friend coming in the back door, thanks for coming by :)
hello Pamela, you will find yourself somewhere in the book for sure - hugs to Edward :)
good morning Amy, it's worth the purchase - it's one you will refer back to over the years - I know when I pick it up again next year, I will be in a different place and see things I didn't in the first read xo
I do too Lynnie, very much xo
good morning to you too Petras, thank you so much xo
true, true, ture, Lynn, wake up calls all around :)
Annie you are a supreme example of amazing work in adverse situations - I'm sure you did laugh! Ha! xo
hello Sarah, and welcome! - thank you for the Jean Cocteau quote - a very good one! and of course the 'something to push against' very wise - glad you decided to comment! :)
Hi Bren, thank you - McNiff's books sounds interesting, will have to take a peek! glad you came by :)
that's a good question Robin - I feel lucky everyday to have my art - always happy to see you here :)
hello dryadart, thank you for sharing that - I think we have all been there, thanks for stopping by :)
Hi Daryl, I take heed for sure, it really snapped me back to the real world xxooxo
A beautiful and wise post. It's true. We artists need some boundaries and limitations (Wait, isn't this what Cesar Milan says?!) in order to be our best artist selves. Of course, we can still dream!
Love this image. I can sense the meaning in this.
Here's hoping that your week is a little less weird if that's what you would prefer. :-)
Jeane, watched you "studio" slideshow. Thanks for the peeks. Twyla's book really spoke to me when I read it a while ago. I'm feeling a bit like the title of your beautiful painting.
good morning Melinda, thank you and yes, I could do with none of the type of weirdness that was hanging around on Monday - I'm not familiar with Cesar Milan, will check him out - see you next week sometime!! xo
hello Carole, traveling in the layer of thin air are you? a bit of discomfort to push against - I'm working to learn a new video program on my computer so the sidebar peek came from that - always good to see you here :)
First, I have to say I've stared at your header for a full 10 minutes. So much intrigue there,,,,,you always dazzle!
I love what you've written here, and I'd say it applies to all of life, not just art making. To work with what we have, within where we are,and stamping it with who we've become.
And just think, we don't have to make our own paints/pigments like the masters did!
:-D
good morning Babs - thank you - the header is by now under another pound of paint I'm sure - you are so right, it does apply to all life - working within our means is where the magic is - it's an honest reflection of who we are xo
Love your little studio video and of course your new painting!
Read that little piece in a sample of the book online which I went to check out when you mentioned it last time. Sounds like a good read.
Hope you are having a good weekend too!
interesting about the tharp book--i gave it to a friend, a dancer, who had NO response, ever. i thought it was powerful and moving, i asked once and she was very vague. hmmm.
i think the limitations are indeed important, essential.
good morning Zendot, thank you - messing around with video and exploring ideas through the medium - it's a good book and has something for everyone and interesting to read how someone else approaches their work - we are all individuals and have to find our own paths, but you can never go wrong listening to a successful artist xo
hello Velma, yes, it is interesting - well some people are just not ready or open to other ideas I guess - maybe at some point she may pick it up and it will be exactly the right time for her to read it, thanks for coming by :)
I agree wholeheartedly with that quote. Here's another in a similar vein: "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensible part of happiness."
Bertrand Russell
Your work continues to inspire me.
Amen! This is a wonderful, yummy painting.xoxo
Mr. Russell had it right didn't he Frannie, thanks for sharing and thanks for coming by :)
hello Annie, thank you and yes, amen! indeed! :)
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