I wanted to talk about the creative process and how there are periods of slack where paintings or artworks feel stifled and in a fug and how I try to deal with it and move forwards, so I will begin my own story.
My painting seems to have been blocked for a while and I am striving to get out of some ingrained ways of working, this has led to an uncertainty in my practice which I am striving to get back on track. Perhaps this is wrong and a more relaxed attitude to art may be the answer as was discussed on Alice Sheridan and Louse Fletchers Art Juice podcast recently which got me thinking.
I will shortly be going on a trip to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and am hoping this will be a catalyst for my work as I know this summer for me has been lacking in any adventures to new places for inspiration as I have been busy with other commitments. Below is how I try to make sense of what is going on.
Making Marks
This is really important to me - the evidence of the brushstrokes and randomness of marks - the looser and unintentional the better. I always want to work from my subconcious and the memories and feelings that come out of this, the inherent landscapes of my mind.
Atmosphere
Another really important aspect of my work the feeling of otherness, of romantic vista's, of truly magnificent co- habitation of land, sky and the elements to convey my true love of landscape.
Limited use of Colour and Marks
By trying to limit these, I want to be able to create something that is relevant but also in as condensed way as possible, this is where things get mixed up as I will start off with this intention but then it gets clouded with uncertainty and I keep going on the same piece so it becomes overworked. What I need to do is set mt intentions and stick to them! It's one of my gratest flaws and its only because I am underconfident in my work.
Ways to try things
Stick to my intentions and don't worry if they don't work. i.e. lots of quick paintings with minimal marks.
Only think of atmosphere and work with just this intention.
Think of where the land meets the sky on a misty wet day where there is no delineation of the landscape and make this the priority of the work.
Set time scales for painting say 10 mins per painting or even shorter!
5. Think about colour and its effect on the work more seriously.
So this is my way of trying to make sense and move forwards it really helps me to write things down as it it adds some sort of purpose and helps me to understand what it is that is stopping my development as an artist.
Perhaps this may be of some help to you in your creativity and do let me know if you have any tips that may be of use.
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