THE ART JOURNAL
What Type of Artist Are You?
I have been researching the creative process for quite some time, and I have discovered a fascinating pattern in how many artists describe their artistic journey. There seem to be two distinct delineations; most artists describe themselves as either a process type or a path type.
Is making art selfish?
If you google this question, the answers are varied and pretty dramatic. Looking at the results, I thought, are there really that many people who think being an artist is self-serving or selfish, and why? Why are there so many articles written by artists who agree that artists are selfish?
How do you know when to stop? The essential elements of a finished piece.
One of the most common questions I get asked in classes or open studio tours is, how do you know when a painting is complete? I usually explain that knowing when a painting is done is an individual process, but knowing when to stop is more challenging when you are a beginner. But that's just part of art-making.
10 books every artist must-read, then read again
I have been reading books on art and creativity since high school. I've always felt drawn to all different kinds of artists and the stories of their processes and practices.
When I started my career as a fine artist, I finally understood the immense value these books have. Their words and honesty have helped my creative mindset on days when I feel all over the place.
20 journaling prompts to spark Your creative Exploration
By now, most artists are aware of the lasting benefit of incorporating journaling into our everyday mindset practices. But, there are also many valuable benefits to incorporating journaling into the development of your creative process. Trust me; I know how this sounds. Another artist is talking about journaling...barf. But there is a good reason why so many artists have embraced writing as part of their process.
For The Perfectionist: Blind Contour Drawing Exercises
There is a reason why so many students must sit through hours of blind contour exercises in school. The practice helps you look at your drawing for simply what it is without trying to see your way through it because you can't see. You can't look at the paper at all. It's a sensory experience, like kissing with your eyes closed or reaching your hand into the box to guess what a surprise hidden object might be. Other senses connect the dots; parts of your brain start to fire and connect left-to-right, right-to-left.
STOP WONDERING HOW TO FIND YOUR STYLE, DO THIS INSTEAD
There are so many ways the art & design industries focus on having a distinct style, and it's such a false expectation for artists' to focus their attention. Unfortunately, many artists can get lost in this land of "standing out" or "being different" in the wrong ways, and the obsession with finding your style will close you off to exploring beyond your skillset.
5 Keys to Creating with an Abundant Mindset
Let’s start with what having an abundance mindset is not. An abundance mindset is not simply the act of “putting out positivity into the universe and waiting.” There’s a lot more involved in creating an abundant mindset than that, and no one ever got anywhere just by sitting and waiting; you’ve gotta move, right?
The 3 Most important things I learned in Art School
I can honestly say I learned nothing about what it takes to be an artist from art school; that knowledge only came from trying and failing over and over.
Failure is the best part of your practice
I do not believe in perfectionism in the process of making art. When it comes to art and the process of making art, I love failure. Yep, you read that right. I love it; it makes my art better.
What your imposter syndrome is really telling you…
We’ve all been there, that time when you had to take a leap and try to do something new. But, because you care about it so much, your brain won’t let you just do it. You have to over-analyze and think about all the ways you aren’t going to get it just right.
How to tackle creative anxiety
Being an artist is hard. No one tells you how it will be to consistently put yourself out there and hope for acceptance rather than…crickets.
Are you creative enough to call yourself an artist?
The truth is everyone is creative; everyone’s creativity is valid; creativity is everywhere and all around us; creativity is not a type. Your creativity is not determined by birth.