Making time
How to make time slow down and stop for a moment? I have the answer, but unfortunately, this doesn’t help me getting done everything. We can capture a moment in a painting, and we can capture the scene we are drawing or painting, thus, registering our feelings, emotions and impressions of time. I believe doing our best can be not enough sometimes, but that is the only result we are able to keep.
Well-organized workspace
My classroom just got a face-lift. There are so many flaws with easels which are sold at the art store that I had to finally get to the issue and design my own easels for classroom. They are extremely light and perfectly stable; nothing dances around, falls off or turns over. They allow painting when sitting and when standing. That took a while, and thanks to my husband and his skills, we have these easels working well now. I had to make also some smaller things like cardboard trays to organize the workspace better. Workspace has to be easily approachable and clean.
Limited art supplies
We shouldn’t try using the entire art store. I counted last night; we need 10 paint tubes at most. We can paint very well with just 8 or even 5 colors. That means we learn mixing up colors. We normally won’t be using 6 or more brushes during a few hours. Most often, we can perfectly paint acrylic with just one medium size flat brush. Watercolor requires 2 brushes, but not 10 either. I can understand why somebody tries to take everything to the class: it’s called just in case. The negative aspect of too many tools and supplies is that it causes confusion. Especially when somebody is starting out, they won’t even know what each brush does.
Practice, practice, practice
We had a fantastic group painting today. I have 3 hour painting sessions on Saturdays. We start on blank canvas and at the end of these 3 hours we usually have something to show for. I loved that nobody was disappointed because sometimes people imagine they can go within 3 hours from never painted before to mastering painting That does not happen, so, I am very happy with people who have reasonable expectations.
No fear and relaxed state of mind
Creation of art has to be fun and relaxing activity. When I hear people saying I am afraid, I am really wondering how so? I can imagine how one is afraid from a surgery, even dentist, test or a job interview which can change the entire life. What is the worst that can happen when we paint something not as we think we should? With acrylic, nothing at all. We will need a bit more paint and possibly time to start that particular spot from new. Most likely, that is why people who love taking risks have very good results. Once we get over the barrier we placed in front of ourselves, we are fine. I wouldn’t even call this courage. I’d rather call this: pleasure to experiment, take plunges into unknown and experience freedom.
Abstracted painting in acrylic, red flowers
Artistic freedom
Artistic freedom is like no other freedom and it is the most uplifting one. When somebody tells me there are very many rules in art, I’d like to disagree. There is no other person who can see and experience the reality in the same way we do. Why our imagination and creative potential should be then squeezed in some kind of frame of regulations? It shouldn’t. Any other freedom comes paired with duties and obligations. Artistic freedom of creative self-expression is a completely alone standing freedom. There are tips and tricks, and common sense how to get painting done faster, better, more efficiently. Art and creativity allow creating a new world every single time we take the brush or pencil in our hand.
Painting poppies, acrylic painting workshop
My popular art classes
I believe, many people like my approach, so my art groups have grown a lot. My space is limited to 12 participants, but I prefer not more than 10 artists for acrylic class. Everybody starting out in art should not take it too seriously, but enjoy and have fun. You’ll find out over time how nicely everything falls in place. The above does not refer to people who make their living with art. That is a hard work, one of the hardest I know.
Wow I love your new set up for classes! I may have to be back. Looks great. The latest picture you are working on is beautiful!
Thanks Connie! Poppies we were doing in the 3-hour one time painting, but, yes, garden is done in the regular classes. Wednesday is way too full, but there will be spots in Thursday class from approximately February 4.
Your advice could easily be applied to writing: “There are no and there should not be any restrictions.” I don’t have that spacial ability that you demonstrate so well in your art, but my blank page is very much like your blank canvas … and I can’t wait to fill it up. You are, as always, a refreshing inspiration. Thanks, Inese.
Thanks so much for reading this post and commenting! I’m simply seeing all kinds of advice and much of it is mostly based on some kind of rules. In reality, I’m seeing how such rules do not apply. We are all so different with so many distinctive personal features, I think we have to get used that one size was never fitting everybody. It could not and I don’t think it was ever supposed to. I’m also watching how my students are struggling with rules which somebody told them some time they should follow. Everybody is surprised that our personal view is primary and the rest is just a hint of how to get faster where we are going.
Love those easels and your artwork… Good to see a post from you, and yes time is not so easily captured when it runs away with us.. I hope you find time to stop and smell those roses dear Inese..
Happy 2016 to you my friend xxx Sue
Thanks Sue! I’m having a very quiet and good Sunday morning. It’s the first day since very long time, I don’t have to rush anything and I don’t have to get done anything. Such a pleasure, so I’m taking time and enjoying fantastic music and peace. I just thought I’d love so much to keep this moment: everything is good and life is easy. Wishing you a great year, as well!
So pleased to know at last you are enjoying some relaxing time.. Long may it continue xxx <3
Well, all day today is a great thing. Still enjoying. Have a good evening and night!
Love your artwork Inese!
Thanks Mary! It’s amazing what can be done in a couple of hours, so I’m really happy a good artist like yourself likes this painting!
So nice to see yoy…and I love the changes (face lift!) in your studio…what wonderful easels too! It sounds like you are busy and yet making sure you take the time for self care…so so important! I have been painting…and you know I was one who had “fear”…it felt so good to just dig in and get started!!! Thank you for your wonderful support and inspiration…many blessings friend ♡
Thanks Lorrie! It’s nice to see you again! Well, it’s not right to be afraid of something pleasant. I wouldn’t be able to even explain what leads to that or causes it. I personally have never experienced any fears from nice things like sewing, crafting, watercoloring, acrylic or oil painting, cooking and similar. When I’m in doubt I would always ask myself: what’s the worst what can happen? Wasted time and paint? Damaged paper? I don’t think that’s a big deal, so I’m happy you got over this and got started. You’ll see how soon it will take you over, make obsessed and become your best moments of the day.
I understand, Inese…or rather…I don’t understand…but I am happy I started…and I see how wonderful it is to be immersed in the creativity!! Blessings ♡
Well, that’s great. I don’t even think there is anything one has to understand. Like I’m always saying: less talking, more doing. Art is a very rewarding thing to be involved in. I’m so happy about you, and most likely you’ll love what is to be discovered along the way.
Beautiful, creative atmosphere. So agree with you about the rules, and making a living.
Have a wonderful, fulfilling week!
Thanks Inese! I think people who create hate rules of all kinds. Have a great week, too!
Thank you!
Beautiful post…. I love the paintings and could not agree more with you when you state that Artistic freedom is like no other freedom as it is the most uplifting one.
Sending love and best wishes, Inese… happy week … Aquileana
Thanks Aquileana! I’m reading so often that there are endless rules and so on. That literary scares people and they don’t believe they’d ever learn and follow all rules, so they don’t start doing anything. However, people who create know that the only rules are those ones made by them. Have a great week!