THE ART JOURNAL

  • Creativity is an aspect of identity development. Artistic self-expression contributes to maintaining or reconstructing a positive identity and improving skills. To practice visual art in any form is often to express who you are without words. That shit's hard!

  • Overpainting happens because we don't know how to edit our choices yet or haven't mastered composition, and we add more because the work feels like it's missing something.

  • 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.

  • Abundant thinking allows you to be more authentic in your work; it gives you the space to think and believe in your art. It gives you the freedom to decide based on your vision rather than your fear. If you approach your work from a place of abundance, you’ll be open to expressing yourself more effectively because you’re allowing yourself to go deeper.

  • 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.

What Type of Artist Are You?
Mindset, art practice Sarah Mays Mindset, art practice Sarah Mays

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.

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How do you know when to stop? The essential elements of a finished piece.

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.

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10 books every artist must-read, then read again

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.

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20 journaling prompts to spark Your creative Exploration

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.

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For The Perfectionist: Blind Contour Drawing Exercises

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. 

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STOP WONDERING HOW TO FIND YOUR STYLE, DO THIS INSTEAD
artist process, Mindset Sarah Mays artist process, Mindset Sarah Mays

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.

Read More