I have no problem spontaneously purchasing something, especially purses, shoes and art supplies (hence the new pearlescent paints used above).
I'm perfectly happy spontaneously stopping for ice cream or slushies or donuts.
My temper has been known to spontaneously combust.
However, I am not comfortable with spontaneity in my art. I keep seeing these Zentangles and they look like a lot of fun. Sit down, make a few shapes and fill them in with patterns.
Fun, right?
Sure.
But ... um ... what kind of shapes? How many shapes? How big should they be? How are you supposed to do the pattern? Can I make lines? Should I fill this in? Is there a right way to do this?
And there is the main issue — the RIGHT way to create art. I've had a couple of instructors along the way who made it very clear that there was a right and a wrong way to create. Looking back, they may have done a good job instilling knowledge about mediums and techniques, but they weren't teaching art.
There is no RIGHT and WRONG in art. I stress that every day to my Punks. The hard part is explaining the difference between following directions and expressing your own creativity.
Ooops.
But guess what ... Summer Vacation starts at 2:01pm today and we can throw the rules out the window for 10 weeks.
Interesting how it is the simplest of things that can trip us up, isn't it!?!
ReplyDeleteI think you have the straight of it—there is no RIGHT and WRONG way in art, and most other things that come to mind. There is a balance to be found and observed.....directions vs. creativity, standing your ground and being obstinate, too much vs. just enough vs. not enough.
It is usually the repercussions from our choices that teach us our sense of balance. That and some misguided art teachers!
Enjoy your summer break!
This is so interesting, Karen. When I first saw your page, my eyes did a little leap and I thought, "That's so cool!"
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your post about how you don't do spontaneous, it made me think how (we can't help ourselves, can we?) much more methodical you are, and how I always wish I could get that regularity into my own art work. In other words, how comparatively haphazar I am, and wouldn't it be nice to be more like you in regard to art.
Ahh well. We're never satisfied. But you should be satisfied with this drawing, which I do think is different from "doodling." (I hate that word, like I hate the word "jogging." But that's another story.)
I think we can be spontaneous when we are making art, but fear and hesitation stops us, as evident in your questions to yourself! Fear of doing "the wrong thing" is a horrible stop sign. Bleh! Though I love your hand and the colors, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIf this is what stressed out looks like...I'd love some of it. This is absolutely beautiful...and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI think the zentangles would be a great way for you to gradually ease into being more spontaneous with your art. Zentangles do have borders and repetition and a kind of partial conformity within the freedom of spontaneity. :) I love your zentangle hand!! I totally agree that there is no right or wrong to art! Keep chanting that to yourself as you zantangle--hehe! You have a gift for this, too. ;)
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