this is mixed media on paper 24x19, 'When the Cypher Breaks Down'
© All Rights Reserved
Sunday, January 1, 2012
re-entry.....
It's been a rough re-entry into the studio today - I wanted to work, but when I closed the door to the studio, I didn't want to work.....I just wandered around, picking up this, looking at that, cleaning off my work table - sigh - I picked up a piece I had started earlier in the month, clipped it on my work board and just sat and looked at it - I kind of liked it the way it was - no, not really, but I just didn't have a clue where to start - there was a piece of graphite laying on the floor so I picked it up and made a couple of marks, then a couple of more marks, then I rubbed the graphite into the paint and smeared it around and then I added some ochre paint and then some raw umber and then a few hours later I had the piece below - certainly not the best work I've done, but it got me moving again.....re-entry is never easy - trying to find my way back into the work - letting go of the holidays - emptying myself of the last three weeks - tomorrow's work will be informed by the work I did today and so on and so on and so on.....it's a start - welcome to 2012.......
this is mixed media on paper 24x19, 'When the Cypher Breaks Down'
© All Rights Reserved
this is mixed media on paper 24x19, 'When the Cypher Breaks Down'
© All Rights Reserved
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19 comments:
thanks for the encouragement. I spend a lot of time wandering around the studio in the state you describe and I realize from reading your post now (and previous ones) that it is from this start and stop mode of work I end up in.
I don't know, I'd be pretty happy if that was sitting on my easel!! But yes, tomorrow rests on the shoulders of today in so many things!
Yes, this is the way it is done--a walk away, a lot of looking, a few marks and then...re-ignition. It's so wonderful that you share your process and excellent work.
I look forward to more of your spectacular marks and kind and thoughtful posts.
Warm hugs from here and wishes for a very happy, productive, art-filled year!
You really captured what I have been feeling, Jean - re-entry is not easy! Feels so good though, when those first moments suddenly blur into several hours and you emerge realizing you are back in the groove again. Best wishes for 2012, sus
A good start to the new year and an inspiring springboard for the pieces to come. As you mentioned, you have broken the ice and that's the hardest part. I have not been as brave.... but as the saying goes... Nothing happens until it moves.
Me too!! Switching into and out of holidays knocks me off balance every time. Everything seems too self conscious and I struggle to find all the threads I was holding before. But I still think it's good to turn up at the sketchbooks, bench, desk, studio and have a mooch around.
YOur words so resonated with me - I'd just said to a friend that I went to the studio yesterday and sat gazing out of the window - she asked me if it was an installation!! That made me see the funny side - re-entry can be so hard and maybe we need to be gentle with ourselves - today a walk to celebrate the first day of light (hesitant sunshine) for it seems like weeks!
Love this post on re-entry, I went through the same thing :-) Got to love the ebbs and flow of creativity.
Your work seems to reflect a 'lightening' of the load, with the subtle colours and texturing.
I am so not used to so much time off, I am not looking forward to returning to work/to the office tomorrow .. not at all
good morning Carole, oh man, trying to find the starting place can take a huge amount of energy, no? I realize that the effort must be an action or paralysis sets in!! adored the list on your tumblr page from the toronto designer - he nailed it! xo
reignition!!! that's it Melinda! had to blow on the fire for awhile to get it blazing again, but we are definitely off and running! I'm on my way over to your blog right now because I caught a glimpse of an amazing painting!!! wahoo!! xox
it does feel good doesn't it Susan, when the engine fires and you are lost in that world!! the best to you also, thanks for coming by, :))
that is sssooooooo true Robyn, 'nothing happens until it moves' such a hard thing sometimes, but so rewarding xox
OMG!! 'too self conscious' - you nailed it Annie - trying too hard, too too too - that's what I hate about restarting - the path back is so damn windy and turny - but on we go xoxo
that is so funny Rosie - your friend is indeed spot on with her humor - we all struggle with it I guess - then we put the 'start' behind us and get on with it xo
thank you Bren, at least we are all on/have been the same train - finding our way into the work - well worth the effort - yes, my palette has lightened alot - I go through white paint like crazy!!!! it's funny, using so much white and then so much raw umber to knock it down - a funny little process :)
oh, ugh!!! I do remember the work re-entry - one of the worst types - lots of coffee and shuffling things around on my desk - I'm with you girl xox
Ahh, the dreaded re-entry...half starts, slow-downs, foolin around, mark making ...time consuming and always moves me to a new place. Here's to new and interesting places!
One day at a time, one stroke or splatter or glop at a time.....I'm struggling with re-entry too but I've started a small "circle" sketchbook that seems to ignited a spark! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and struggles with us. And your fabulous art! xo
Well you're way ahead of me. I haven't even approached the car, let alone firing the ignition.
Hopefully soon.
I will have a dishwasher in a couple of days however, and that counts a heap to me.
Cabinets and drawers knocked out, electrical and plumbing to go. I've got sawdust everywhere, (again) but it's all good.
That's creating, right? Right?
I'm lovin this brand new piece, and look forward to seeing what it becomes.It glows, Jeane!
It's like reconnecting with an old friend. The nice thing is you find new material when you think you knew everything there was. A new year, a clean slate for new beginnings, no matter how old we are!
so true, so true, Mary Ann - stops, starts, make a mark, it truly does move us to a new place, Happy New Year to you and the best ever I hope! xo
hello Carole, you are so right - one movement forward at a time and then all of a sudden a leap! your little circle sketch book sounds wonderful - one round shape at a time - so glad we connected last year :)
yikes! Babs - your efforts in creativity are herculean compared to my little paint dabblings - I so respect anyone who takes on remodeling or building of any kind - enjoy that first load of clean dishes out of your new dishwasher and I would have to agree, dishwashers are huge! xo
age is only a number isn't it Robin! and yes, re-entry is like connecting to an old friend again - and the day I think I know everything about painting, I can put it all away and go lay down for a very long nap, the very best to you for 2012 :)
wandering around is painting enough to me.
you see , you feel , you think about.
this is a nice studio moment, all the doubts, intentions and anxiety.
have a great 2012
Hey Caio, yes, yes, yes, you are so right, it's all part of it!!! xo
Not sure whether it's switching out or stumbling into . . . LOL!!! Your entry resonates as I have been wandering around, a kind of limbo-land right now, which may be a good thing? Thanks for sharing!
good morning Kelly, I think many of us ride that 'limbo land' train going into the new year - the holidays push us off track for a few weeks and takes that extra push to get us going again - glad you stopped by :)
The subtlety is perfect. Jesus I love this.
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