The Creative Zone for Making Art
Tag: Perth WA
What a wonderful creative combination: the natural environment rocky escarpments and brilliant skies! Add the magical Palette Knife PK1008 and its a perfect recipe for fun.
Education. When I present skills, concepts and new techniques, I also learn. I learned …. a LOT, from my venture To Queen’s Gardens in Perth.
On the job, on going education. Perfect.
Ok.
Yes. There have been days, of ‘not so’ perfect. And I most definitely will not share those with the public. But overall, it is a great gig.
I left the green shaded groves, of the UWA Sunken Gardens. Leaving the calm, zen there.
I drove off, into the city. Clearly following my well researched and diagrammed directions. I had studied this. I knew the route.
Detours.
In the city. Gosh. Who, would have suspected?
Where was my Plan B?
Needless to say, the first attempt to arrive at Queen’s Garden was met with Strike One.
I ended up, very close to my original starting point. Oops.
Do I give up and go home? Do I allow the city, and detours, to be victorious? I sighed. It WAS HOT. 90+ degrees. How bad, did I really want to go?
But, you know, I am Determined.
Someone just recently, made that comment – that I was very determined. I’m not certain if it that was a polite way of just saying, ‘Stubborn.’ I’m thinking it was though!
My “Stubbornness” won out.
I continued on my target goal to the Queen’s Gardens. Finally, 55 minutes later – I arrived! It should have taken 20, tops.
Victory. Ok I met some more road closures, detours. And had to walk from the river to the Gardens. (Bonus, more exercise for me!) The point is, I achieved my destination point.
I had a nice pleasant stroll around.
Relaxing. Taking photos of turtles, black swans, golden breasted waterfowl, massive ivory waterlilies on the deep blue ponds, wooden bridges, and the famous bench from the movie “Notting Hill.”
Towards the end of my stroll I came closer to the large statue that had caught my eye earlier. It had looked like a Pied Piper of sorts.
I was so immersed in the faces and features, the transcendent expressions the artist brought to life, I didn’t look first at the title or description.
Instead I engaged with the art. Section by section.
I loved the ‘rabbit’ like ears upon some of the figures.
Once I was finished with taking the photos, then I read.
I discovered the statue was based on JM Barrie’s story of Peter Pan.
The sculptor was Sir George Frampton. This was one of his 6 replicas he cast from his original mould. This sculpture was erected in Queens Garden in June 1929.
The original is in London, the Kensington Gardens.
Apparently with the original statue, Sir George…. acted without authorisation.
Overnight, without prior permission, he erected his Peter Pan statue unbeknownst to anyone.
He did get chastised…. however in his defense he stated that he’d simply wanted the children to be surprised. To awaken and see the ‘Peter Pan’ in the gardens ‘as if the fairies had done so overnight.’
I can just imagine how this explanation went over!
But, I think, he may have had a smidgen of ‘determination’ within himself. I don’t think he was going to allow anything to dissuade him from his goal. He knew what he wanted to accomplish.
And he did so.
Finally…
Artists need to have this quality of Determination.
This almost wilful, stubbornness.
It is this, that enables them to overcome the 1001 odds that are stacked against them.
The challenges of the city proved to be an excellent educational tool. We can choose to give up too soon, or choose to be Determined.
In the words of Thomas Merton,
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
With this philosophy as our main criteria of how we define and perceive Art, much of what we do in our everyday lives could quite possibly, be seen as a form of artistic expression.
And if we began viewing these common things in such a light, then in so doing, we are are led towards living each day…… artistically.
Artfully.
Yesterday’s adventures included a work related excursion first, to the UWA campus Sunken Gardens in the morning. Later on in the afternoon, a visit to Queen’s Garden was fun.
While in the Sunken Gardens, the small group and I sat under the shaded canopy of a large flourishing, grove of trees. It was, Lovely.
The concepts presented to the group had three major points.
As we progressively lose these fears, finding more peace and harmony – we are in essence doing what Thomas Merton stated… finding ourselves and losing ourselves in the most wonderful ways.
While in the gardens the thought crossed my mind about having preconceived ideas. Its so easy.
In my mind, I may have muttered, “ALL these greens!”
I realised I was closing my mind off to the possibilities, that ALL those greens could present.
I concluded that I was being … ‘judgemental’ in my own way, of what I will or will not accept. As art.
And that maybe, by being more open….I could find an infinity of possibilities waiting for me that I’d never suspected, within The Greens.
I should at least, try.
I think, in the photo image below of the pond, I managed to capture some of the many possibilities of All Those Greens.
I lose myself, and find myself…Within The Greens.
Art has thousands of variations, nuances.
Flavors, if you will.
As individuals we each have our own particular preferences. One person’s preferring vanilla ice cream over strawberry ice cream doesn’t nullify that the vanilla is still … ice cream.
Isn’t it odd how we never think to debate about someone else’s different food preferences?
Art may be rock n roll to some, opera to another. Some may view Andy Warhol as THE Definition of Art; another rave Rembrant.
It is all art, in every one of the myriad forms it takes. Cooking, music, writing, video, screenwriting, hospitality, textiles….
And, we actually require the seemingly, chaotic diversity of each and every one of these forms.
It stretches us. We grow. We learn.
We. better. ourselves.
2019 I’m conducting a year long course with the title “Watercolor, Loose and Easy.” It sounds like A Plain, Ordinary, Watercolor class.
Doesn’t it?
However, I’m enthusiastically passing along information on 3D, sculpture, and any other art form that presents itself, as an opportunity for the group to expand their knowledge base.
This month has been busy. Leading excursions to galleries and venues with various art forms: video, sculpture, ceramics.
The last week’s course home project…. was the creation of a 3d sculpture, in yellow.
Yes, I know.
The course title, is Watercolor. Loose and Easy.
Yet, I strongly feel that now is the time for us to try on a new pair of glasses. It’s time.
We need to expand our world.
Our perceptions. Our vision.
Once in a while, I come across a client who has an ease within themselves straight off the bat.
This is not the typical beginner response. But their comfort at communicating, at expressing in paint playfully, in pure joyful Freedom – is Different.
It sets them apart.
They already are absorbed in the process. Totally engaged with the physicality of the action. In the act of painting all on its own, with no thought of reward or product or result.
That in all my experience is so, unique.
It is, in my opinion the highest benchmark of An Artist.
Today, for my first true, post back… I’ve featured Paola (a client) and each of the art works seen belong to her.
Paola hasn’t been with me for long period of time, a couple of terms is all. She first came to my course “Draw, Print, Paint.”
This was an intermediate to advanced level course. Not specifically designed for a brand new Beginner!
We drew…..in a loose, bold, super fast and free approach.
Extremely Non traditional.
No – straight lines! No – rigidity.
No – erasers. Are, your eyes open yet?!
No – concern over flaws, imperfections, wrong angles, etc.
Simply, drawing big and bold with a fat black Sharpie marker! The concept was to have Fun and to play.
On cheap papers. This diminishes fears “of wasting money.”
Paola next booked into Watercolors: Loose and Easy.
Once again, the course was not specifically designed for complete beginners.
But once again what Paola envisioned and created, was captivating. Her extraordinary absorption in the process is fascinating to see.
Each brush stroke, deliberate and meaningful.
The color was stroked upon the paper, and left. Alone.
Where it melted and merged and vibrated with its fellow notes.
There was no fiddling. No over working. No excess concern over flaws and imperfections in paper, paint, or marks made.
They were made, and then… let go.
She has a wonderful ability to find her own place of safety and security within herself enabling her to simply respond in creative liberation. Without a lot of coaching, coaxing, guidance from myself.
I’d like us all, to be able to feel that free to express our own voice, in our own words, without fear of reprisals. Of being called out for some perceived small imperfection or ‘mistake.’
Flaws.
Well….. we are, Human!
One of my personal, favourite words and philosophies over the past couple years has been, and is – Wabi Sabi.
If, you look it up you’ll discover lovely beautiful things about it.
The concept is that there is beauty to be seen and found, in the Imperfect. In the unfinished. And in the Impermanent.
It can be a game changing discovery for some of us, former “perfectionists.”
I’ve done several series and posts on The 7 Days of Zen, and wabi sabi elements you might have a read on if you’d like.
Creativity requires a sense of ‘safety.’ Our creative imagination will refuse to come out to play, until it feels secure. Safe. When it knows it has the utter freedom to be authentic, its own self, imperfect and flawed as it is!
We will not, see fresh new inventions, new medical, tech, science breakthroughs – in environments of stress, fear, negativity. The fear of being vulnerable to attack, causes the creative side, our clever side to stay hidden. Buried.
Trying to excavate the hidden creative buried far beneath the layers, deep in the crevices, that almost nothing can pry out – can be exhausting work. It takes immense patience. Time.
And sometimes, someone else’s eyes to see that gem and make mention of it, softly and kindly. Repeatedly.
Authentically.
At work, what I really do, is: I campaign against fear.
It is Fear, that so often leads many to replicate someone else’s words. Or their looks. Or opinion. Or someone else’s painting. There is No need!
My philosophy is:
“YOU, Are absolutely every bit – just as interesting, good, valuable and faceted – as Monet/Madonna/Oprah or whoever it is that is being copied.”
Probably more so. Please let us in, tell us your story.
Thank you Paola,, for so kindly and with courage, allowing me to feature your work on my first post back. I am grateful. Debi
Stella Terrill Mann,
“Every time we say, Let there be! in any form,
something happens.”
I’ve been away.
Not literally, but figuratively. Taking a …. Pause. Reflecting.
Many of you, readers, customers, students and friends ask with increasing frequency, “When, are you going to post again?!”
“Soon, When it is Time.” Has been my response.
Artists, creative people in general go through cycles, and bursts of productivity.
Then, seemingly endless – long empty dry, droughts.
Where nothing is happening. So it seems on the surface.
But look deeper. And you discover all the myriad ingredients simmering and merging together quietly.
They just aren’t ready yet.
We have to learn patience.
It will happen. We will not be stuck in the drought or winter, forever!
Winter isn’t really a time of sleeping. Its a very busy time. Underneath the layers of earth, major preparations are being done.
Side note…..
I have been away for quite some time, so I decided to freshen the blog up a little.
I’m testing out a new WP format, and I will just have to press publish to see how it all goes. I like experiments!
I hope you like the change.
Thanks for your patience and continuing to ‘check in’ while I have been on pause and reflecting.
Cheers, Debi
