The last few months has been pretty full on, with a busy schedule and numerous projects across both my art and psychotherapy business resulting in very little time to write.
Deep Thinking
In my regular blog over the last few months I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my thoughts and reflections on the experience that is creativity and artistic process. However in the last three months I have found myself just too busy to write. I have absorbed in some deep personal reflections on how to make more space in my life for my art. Resulting in some significant changes. I have been so engaged in this that I’ve not been able to write about it. Because I hadn’t figured it out. Now, I’m beginning to get there.
Part of this process has been having my own coaching. Working with a mentor is incredibly helpful. Having a place to take the questions I am wondering about and trying to resolve is invaluable. As is having someone to support, challenge, prompt, question and offer feedback. The process is a super charge to your art practice.
Authenticity
So, what have I been doing?
I think I have been working on developing my authentic voice. About 6 months ago I had a something of a light bulb moment around colour. I was watching a session by Nicholas Wilton talking about how he makes use of colour and de-saturating colour. I realised that this was something I wanted to bring into my work. The next few pieces I worked on were an exploration of colour and value. In the paintings below I have been exploring how to use subtle shifts in tone and value. How to create interest across the darker and lighter areas through making these subtle shifts. Elements that can only be experienced and seen when you move in close to the artwork.
You Do Not Have to Be Good. Mixed Media on panel. Available from the Cupola Gallery Sheffield. 
Quiet Voices in the Garden. Mixed Media on panel. Available from the Cupola Gallery Sheffield.
The second big development happened recently. Through conversations with my mentor I realised I have been quietening down my work for fear of being too much, or that it would not be liked. Not a helpful process in anything creative. I think we do need to find the courage to speak from the heart with our authenticity. Which is also not an easy task for so much can get in the way of this. Old beliefs, experiences and criticism. My email challenge from a few months ago dealt with some of this.
What does being authentic mean for my art? I want more edginess and drama in my work. For me this takes the form of much looser painting, stronger, less tidy or resolved marks, more energy in the work, strong contrasts in colour and shape, asymmetric compositions and line work. I’ve been playing with these ideas myself. And, I’ve a PInterest Board called Dramatic Edgy Art where I have been collecting images of work that speaks to me in this way. Here’s the link for you to hop on over and take a look at how I see edginess in painting.
I’ve also been experimenting with some unfinished pieces in this way. Both in my sketchbook and on larger pieces of paper.
And these ideas are finding their way into my current work. I’m preparing for The Great Dome Art Fair and Art in the Pen and getting some new work ready for Number Four Gallery in St Abbs later this year. I have a fair amount of work underway right now and all these pieces are showing elements of this new direction. These new developments feel very exciting. I’m enjoying the work and watching what unfolds with interest and slight trepidation as I have no idea where this is leading. But isn’t that creativity at its best? To risk ourselves in artistic exploration and to do something even though we have no idea of the result.
What has been an exciting moment in your art where you felt like you were pushing the boundaries of your work? I’d love to hear about your experience.