Supporting the Creative Process

  I was asked by a student to create a list of ideas that encourage the creative process.  I can only speak on what helps me focus and get into my own artwork.  As I have said many times, being creative, doing a piece of artwork that is worth while is all about process.  If the process is effective the end result will be good.  You can't make a good painting/drawing.  It has to come through experience, focus, intension and hard work.  Here is my list in two parts:

Starting a painting:

Still Life:  First of all, I've been collecting objects for years, whatever seems to have something interesting to offer.  Color, scale, wear and tear...something that conveys a personality.  Through my collection and start to group objects.

These groups become, situations which in turn become compositions.  I place these objects together to tell a story.  This includes what the objects are doing and where they are.  What kind of light source and what time of day are important factors as well.

Once I get them going, usually two of three set ups, I start to draw and also design with thumb nails.  This will help to determine the size of canvas.  My set ups might take a week before I know what I want or a month.  When it congeals then I will then start a painting.  The objects still shift and move and so does the background throughout the painting.

When I get stuck int he painting I always return to the drawing, either in color or black and white.

Artists Block:

I usually  have anywhere from 2 to four paintings happening at the same time.  Sometimes I loose steam or interest or just plain distracted.  What do I do to get back my MOJO:  I usually start collaging.  I can work small, loose and fast and go for many different effects.  It gets me seeing without the need of an absolute subject matter.  This is predetermined by what collage materials I use.  Another thing I will do is give myself a project.  Do a study of one of the objects I am having a terrible time solving.  Draw it and then paint it in a limited pallet.  Still not getting motivated?  Go through old failed paintings.  Try to resolve their issues but drawing into them and moving ideas around.  Perhaps even cut them up to see what the solution would be.  If worse comes to worse, do studio prep, like cleaning brushes, priming canvas, getting supplies ready for when I am cooking.

Eventually through all of this, I find my way back and once again I am painting away, excited about my choices.

Total Artist Block with no Idea where to go next:

Do a project that will help skills in drawing, painting, technique or problem solve.

1. 50 self portraits in any medium, just do one per day.  Put them away and don't look at them until you finish 50.

2. Start a series, keep the work small.  6 paintings of pears done in different pallets.  Studies of glass with different backgrounds.  Paint only in black and white and yellow ochre.

3.  Do one hour paintings of any subject.  Put away and do 10 of them without judgement.

4. Do a series of paintings using card board scraps as your painting tools.

5.With acrylics, use different painting mediums and see how many different effects you can get out of the paint.  Again, a series.

6.  Paint the same subject matter in a square, circle, rectangle and keyhole.  See how the composition works.

Always carry your sketch pad around with you collecting ideas from life, then you will never get artist block and you will always have something that you will want to paint.