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.

Learning From My Sketchbooks

Learning From My Sketchbooks

Lately, I’ve begun to view my sketchbook not just as a collection of drawings but as a rich tapestry of notes—an ongoing conversation with my own creativity. Each page is a canvas for exploration, a space where my hand can roam freely, unencumbered by the pressure of producing a “finished” piece. I find myself studying my marks with a newfound curiosity, examining how the subtleties of time and technique affect the lines I create.

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Crafting Cohesion: How to Create and Utilize A Mood Board

Crafting Cohesion: How to Create and Utilize A Mood Board

Creating a mood board is a transformative and foundational step in capturing and communicating the emotional and aesthetic resonance of a project. By embracing a dynamic and exploratory approach, curating a cohesive visual narrative, and fostering a spirit of thematic depth and resonance, you craft a visual tool that captures the aspirational essence of your creative inspiration and vision.

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The Power of Destruction
creativity, artist process Sarah Mays creativity, artist process Sarah Mays

The Power of Destruction

The concept of destruction as a means of creating is a compelling and complex theme that challenges traditional perspectives on the artistic process. It prompts us to reconsider the transformative power of destruction and how it can shape the creative journey. By exploring this thought-provoking concept, we uncover a deeper understanding of the artistic realm's intricate relationship between creation and destruction.

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Evolving Artistry: 3 Indicators Your Style Is Changing as an Artist

Evolving Artistry: 3 Indicators Your Style Is Changing as an Artist

As an artist, the creative journey is marked by continuous growth, transformation, and evolution. Your artistic style is a dynamic and ever-changing reflection of your experiences, influences, and creative exploration. Let’s talk about the three clear indicators that signal your artistic style is undergoing a metamorphosis. Don’t worry, this doesn’t have to be a Kafkaesque shock to the system, and it won’t be an overnight thing, but these changes will prompt you to embrace and celebrate the ever-changing dynamic of the creative evolution.

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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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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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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
why you should be using an artist inspiration journal
artist process, artist inspiration Sarah Mays artist process, artist inspiration Sarah Mays

why you should be using an artist inspiration journal

Artists have kept some form of a journal for as long as they have been creating art. Journals help artists sort through all their ideas and get specific about the subjects, styles, techniques, etc., that they are interested in developing or simply for visual inspiration. I want to share one of my best-kept secrets for helping develop my artistic voice, an artist inspiration journal.

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