Studio Tour November 2019
Hello Friends!
As 2019 comes to a close, I want to share a video of what’s been happening in my studio recently. I like to do this from time to time because I think it’s helpful to see what other artists are up to in their practice.
I also think it’s helpful to take a moment to pause and take stock of everything that has happened in a year. You may be surprised about how all of those little moments of art making even in 15 minutes increments of studio time here and there can really add up!
As we begin to turn into a new year, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on your studio journey this year. What went well? What did you struggle with? What new things did you learn? And what does taking stock of the past bring up for you? Does it inspire something for the coming year?
I invite you to share your reflections with everyone in the comments section below. Community is one of the most important things we build as artists and is what helps us through the tough or slow times. I love hearing from you on how this forum adds to your practice and how I can continue to support you.
And if you are looking for more studio tips and guidance over the winter break, head on over to my Youtube channel. We have quite the community growing there, too!
All my best,
Michele
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Keeping an Open Heart in the Face of Disappointments
Part of being an artist is riding the natural ups and the down cycles. There will be high times (we are getting published, in shows, having sales, or accolades) and inevitable lower times (we didn’t accepted into a show or get the grant, or residency or what have you).
A while back, I watched a documentary called “How To Cook Your Life”, a film about Edward Espe Brown, a zen priest who was the head tenzo, or cook, at the Zen Buddhist retreat, Tassahara.
There were many pearls in this film, but one that struck me was when he spoke of life’s disappointments. I will paraphrase, but basically he said, that we hold in our hearts our dearest, most precious wishes for ourselves – for our happiness.
And then in life, we encounter inevitable heartbreaks and pain. When things don’t turn out the way we want we try to control or defend ourselves from the disappointment we feel.
So we begin to separate ourselves from our heart’s desires. And in doing so, we actually separate ourselves from our heart.
And while we may succeed in insulating ourselves from future disappointments, we create a much deeper chasm. We begin to feel an ache inside; a longing. And no matter how many material trophies we acquire it doesn’t go away. Because we have separated from our heart.
We all guard our hearts so zealously. We are so careful about whom we open them to. We are so afraid of breaking them.
This is an exercise in futility. In this life, the heart will break.
It will break open and grow bigger.
It will break like the sunrise. It will break like a wave. It will not be destroyed.
What destroys us is keeping our hearts locked up in armor of fear. This fear of being open and vulnerable doesn’t allow our hearts to grow.
The irony is this. We are not meant to protect out hearts. Our hearts are meant to protect us. When the heart is open and loving it is free of fear.
There is no stronger “protection” than a fearless heart.
Yearn (detail) © 2004 watercolor, acrylic, gouache on panel
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The Pernicious Inner Critic
The inner critic is something we are all familiar with. That little voice in our head that sows seeds of doubt that begin to question our creativity.
I’ve been working on a series of watercolors that I recently started to have doubts about. My inner critic started saying things like, “These colors are too basic” or “The colors aren’t sophisticated enough.” It wasn’t enough to make me stop working, but those seeds of doubt were there.
However, after seeing the Hilma af Klint’s show at the Guggenheim, I had an “a-ha” moment – we were using a very similar palette! I realized that the little voice had gained traction in my head and it was time to turn away from it and embrace the decisions I was making in my work.
It’s so easy for that inner critic to creep into the studio. Sometimes it’s helpful – it pushes us to ask questions, but it can also slowly take over and drown out our positive sense of self.
Do you struggle with an inner critic? It’s something we all experience from time to time. I invite you to share your experience in the comments below and how you have managed to turned it around.
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What’s my opinion of your art?
I often have people write to me asking me to critique their work or give them pointers. I am always honored by these requests and that someone trusts me to give them feedback on their work.
However, this is not something I allow myself to do in this forum or on social media and here is why:
- I often don’t have a context for someone’s work and what they are making without knowing them first.
- I am not the best judge of what is worthwhile for you!
It is common to get to a point where you may feel like you need some technical training or new knowledge in order to grow. I encourage anyone that is at this place to find a local teacher or class where you can continue to learn, ask questions, and test materials. Having someone physically present to look at your work is important.
But when it comes to determining though if your work is “good” or whether you should keep going, this is something you must dig deep and answer for yourself. It is my strong belief that if you feel compelled to make something, then that is enough! It is not for anyone to judge how you spend your time and what is important. Making art and living the life of an artist is about sticking with it and being consistent. It’s about showing up for yourself.
As a teacher, what I want you to take away is the notion that YOU decide what matters. What anyone else thinks is irrelevant. At the end of the day what matters is that your art gives you joy.
Help me keep the conversation going about this. Share your thoughts with me in the comments section and what we can do to give each other a boost!
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What’s So Great About Perfect?
Just what exactly is “perfect” and where do we formulate our notion of “perfection”?
I believe that perfectionism is the root of many an artist’s block.
I’ll never be good enough.
If I can’t do it as well as ____________, why try?
I’m not sure my idea is worthwhile.
What if I fail?
My project could never reach the beauty and perfection of the idea in my head.
We often talk ourselves out of doing something before we even get the chance to start.
I am reminded of something painter Agnes Martin once said:
“We cannot make anything perfectly but with inner contemplation of perfection, we can suggest it.”
I made this video because I’d like to invite you to pick up the reins of a project or piece that is waiting in the wings for the perfect time, the perfect place, materials, amount of money, the perfection of your skills, or whatever notion of perfection is preventing you from diving in.
See what happens.
And let us know, OK?
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Art & Meditation: Creating A Daily Practice
In this post, I’m continuing our exploration of how artists can use meditation as a
tool to improve their studio practice. You can read more in Part I and Part 2.
Recently I was asked, what is the difference between mindfulness and meditation? While mindfulness is being aware in the present moment, meditation is the means to cultivate mindfulness. It takes practice – just like learning to tie your shoelaces. When you were small, you may have struggled quite some time to learn this. But now you do it so effortlessly, you scarcely know the steps.
This daily practice of sitting in meditation can also be applied to sitting to make art. Picasso used to say, “Inspiration exists, but it must find you well placed at your work.” To me, “well placed” means showing up regularly to the studio, without fail, even if I’m feeling some resistance to the idea. Because the first ten minutes of work is always the hardest. Once you get going, the work carries you.
You know that feeling when you first wake up? When your thinking is clear and your mind is calm? Many people tell me that is when they have their best creative thinking. I know it’s true for me. When I have a challenging project before me, I like to devote at least 25 minutes on it when I first wake up following my meditation time. Some people get that fresh mind from taking a shower. I think that’s why many people say they get their best ideas in the shower. I think it’s similar to meditation. Your body is washed clean and with it, your thoughts. You’re relaxed, you are not trying to think of anything in particular or do anything else. Your mind becomes clear. Ideas flow in.
Meditation can give you that “fresh mind” any time of the day, no water required. I call meditation a superhighway to new ideas and solutions. When you slow thoughts, observe thoughts, your mind can open to its higher centers of creative thinking.
I have found that many artists struggle to find consistency in their creative practice. The first thing I recommend is setting aside 15 minutes to make art. Daily. I find that even the busiest people who truly want to make art can find 15 minutes a day. Consistency is key. Because your body, your mind, your heart and your soul get used to that time. It’s as if you were ready for it. The more you do it, the more ready you are.
The benefit of being consistent is that you find your mind is actually working on your art at other times, in the background, while you are doing other things. The creative problem-solving continues even when you are not actually in the studio.
Here are some things to consider to help you get started:
- Think about your mornings. Is there a way to carve out an extra 15 min to write/paint/draw before you walk out the door to work? I like to have my tea while I draw sometimes.
- What about lunch time? Can you keep some simple supplies such as paper, pens and markers at work for 15 minutes of drawing time during your break?
- What about your evening? After dinner, can you take fifteen minutes alone to draw, sketch, or scribble some ideas?
- No matter what time of day you choose, set a timer. Fifteen minutes goes by quick, and you may be surprised about what happens in a short, focused period of time.
- Create space. Consistency is easier if you have a place to work and have what you need. Whether it’s a corner of your desk with a jar of pencils or an entire room, make sure you have a place to create with your supplies close by.
How do you make time in your busy life for your art? What challenges do you face to building a daily habit? I invite you to share some of your questions or challenges, or your routines and habits that work in the comments section below.
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