blueBanksia art directory lists art short courses and events

by Jerry Fresia

I often envy non-plein air painters and then again I don’t. At times I wish I could stay in the studio, close the doors, put on beat-up comfortable clothes and paint without distraction. No dragging my easel and supplies out to wherever. No being on the spot. No being so vulnerable. And yet, a thousand times over, I end up choosing to paint outside, in the midst of the activity of a community and of course in the midst of the air, vibrating colors, wind, smell, sounds that cohere and somehow draw me into an another dimension. Let’s just call it a rush. It’s the reason why I paint. I really don’t think about the results of the painting as I do it. The canvas is a kind of magical surface that when I mark with a brush, I am propelled into this other dimension.

by Teresa Spedone

1. Follow your passion

Have you noticed how you may really like a painting or style or sculpture and when you try to imitate it, find that it lacks “life”? What inspires you to pick up a paint brush or other art making tool? This is what you need to investigate in order to translate that passion, inspiration and energy into your art work.

Create from what fascinates you and your work will be filled with energy and may become an “artwork” that you will be thrilled with and others will marvel at.

Try this quick quiz to explore what you are inspired by:

Do you find yourself fascinated by:

• Colours in the environment?
• Textures in the environment?
• Capturing a three dimensional image on a two dimensional surface?
• Creating as realistic image as possible?
• Responding to the emotions that arise as you view a scene/object/person?
• Representing the external world in an art image?
• The human figure?
• The movement of a scene?
• Music?
• Rhythm of human or animal movement?
• Negative spaces?
• Human emotions?
• Light?

Whatever captures your imagination, follow it!

2. Follow your artistic style

It is important to recognise your style and nurture it rather than trying to work in a way that is alien to you. For example, even though you may love the look of someone’s work that is detailed and intricate, when you try to do that you meet with frustration and end up stopping and possibly giving up art entirely. It may be that your style is loose and free.

If you are an apple then be a good apple, the best you can be because you will never be a pear, no matter how hard you try. 

3. Go where your artwork takes you

As your creative journey continues, you may find that what you had in mind for your artwork is not what results. However, if you start with what inspires you, then this can lead to a complete “artwork” that brings deep satisfaction. As in the creative writing process, where authors often describe a book writing itself, so it is with art that you often find it takes on a life of its own and sometimes (often) it is time to follow the work and let go of your preconceived ideas for where the work will end. 

Follow your inspiration, find your style and let the work lead you to find the deep joy and satisfaction that comes from creating your own individual art work.