Since I shared with you the testing I had done on the acrylic paper, I thought you might like to see what I did with the rest of the pack. You can clearly see the ones which have the pearl powder pigment. One I did as a weaving and that did not work well since the paper is just too stiff. Now I added something to the red paint, but now I cannot remember if it was pearl acrylic paint (not powder) or inference. That is so like me, getting into the moment and not "thinking" about the process. So what good are these experiments if I do not remember? If anyone has insight or can tell from the photo, I am eager to hear your thoughts. I really have to do better with recording my experiments, but I do get so lost in not thinking when I am in the studio. I know Elis has also brought up this subject, and she is trying to stay present. Do you have any suggestions on how I might accomplish this challenge? Do you get lost in your work while you are working? I would love to hear from you.
Stay tuned this week because I have another Conversation to be published. I will be talking to Dianne McNaughton on Wednesday. Dianne writes Intuitive Painting which is a wonderful, contemplative blog. She is not only an artist extraordinaire, but has a wonderful life in South Africa to share with us. Please come back to enjoy this wonderful conversation. I think you are going to be very happy with the insights Dianne shares with us all. I think you will find it an exciting read.
Have a Great Day!
Posts
24 comments:
The idea of keeping tabs on my process is just beyond me. When I used to make paper and things out of paper, I had read other papermakers sites in which the artist remembered all their steps etc and wrote them down so they could repeat them. I on the other hand choose not to do that partly cause I get lost in the process. And partly because I do not require it of myself and am just fine with not being able to repeat the same thing over. Also as I am not a teacher i dont need to teach anyone how to do these things. Occasionally I will photo things in process now that I have my camera and blog and then I can remember how it was done, but not formulas etc.
Thanks for showing lal these papers. They are intersting.
Oh Suki...we are alike in these things. Sometimes I just look at something and think to myself, "How did I do that?" I suppose it is those times I wish I had some presence about me...then I am so happy to be lost in that other world.
You have been wonderful photographing process...I am always amazed when you do that. Formulas...I don't think I will ever be able to document those myself. Maybe someone watching me could document it, but I like to work alone. Gee, sometimes I wonder if I am my own worst enemy?
Thanks Dear Suki! Stay Warm Up There!
Love,
Kim
I either work directly from my subconscious or I am so busy following someone elses directions right now there is nothing to jot down. I am definitely in the learning phase of my art. It may be a phase of many years yet.... ;-)
But if you write your process down as you go then I can learn from YOU!
The subject of memory comes up in my mind quite often. How much is important to try to remember?
I think when it comes to experimenting with materials it helps me to set a limit in the beginning. By setting aside only certain materials, I can easily recall what I have done. I can then let go of memory and get present to the experience. If I allow myself to use everything at my disposal, I will inevitably forget what I have done. Or so I think at the moment.
Memory is stronger than we think. Every action is embedded in our bodies. Do we really have to TRY to conjure up memories or will our bodies remember what parts are necessary?
Thinking may be the obstacle. Perhaps only action will inform further action.
As far as your project goes, I am not that familiar with those types of mediums. Sorry I can't help.
Thanks for commenting on my blog & I look forward to future conversations with you. Thanks also for the link to the NZ artist- beautiful work & site.
Kendra
Kim, I don't have a clue to rules and steps in art making. I read different methods but once I get started I, like you, get so involved that I lose track of keeping track of my steps. Sometimes disasters, sometimes wonderful surprises! Sometimes I worry that I have used chemicals that might self destroy but most art has a short life so it's best to just continue on with art making!
Oh Lynn, I would share with you absolutely...and do try my best here. I am just not great at documentation of this kind. Do you think it is because I have this affliction of not wanting to follow directions (unless I am driving, but I did get to be a rebel American and drive for 2 years on the other side of the road in England)? Is this the reason I don't want to write down any directions? LOL
For me, my art has taken so many years to develop and it sure hasn't stopped at this point, as you can see.
I will do my best, though, to work towards helping you out Lynn!
Love,
Kim
Hello Kendra,
I love your work and am glad you have hopped in here with some thoughts on this subject...and any others, too.
I have this argument with myself all the time, then something happens and I begin to question all over again if maybe I could do this better. I suppose questioning is a good thing and that is what makes me the artist I am...drives a lot of people crazy, though.
Maybe you are absolutely right, I will remember what I need to know when I need to know it again. That is a great way to approach this...at least the attitude I can identify with completely.
Limiting my materials, mmmm, that is a thought. I am not sure if I can do it as I would be going after something I new I had, but I think it is well worth a go. Thank you for that advice, too.
I am glad you liked Lesley's site. She is a wonderful artist.
I look forward to hearing from you again, Kendra.
Love,
Kim
Hello Mary Ann,
Yes, just make art! I think I will post that in my studio as it is good advice.
May I put you in my quote box on the right? "...it is best just to continue on with art making." Mary Ann I will not do it until I have your permission.
Thanks Mary Ann!
Love,
Kim
Hi Kim,
I have trouble not with the art making but similar kind of thing where i totally find myself lost and dont know what to do ....than to get back to track.. Lately, when i was finding myself lost doing something important or reading .. I didnt know that i am reading same sentence three times and than I wrote something. People dont have to realize ..Its just what we make them realize..
For an artist.. It's very important to see or to feel what other people will realize when they see your art ....
Love Always
Sabi
Hi Sabi,
I know just what you mean about getting lost. I think we all have that from time to time...at least those of us who admit it happens, right?
YOu know I think you are right the important thing is to create from the visual and emotional when we are talking about the visual arts.
Thanks Sabi...have a good evening.
Love,
Kim
Oh Kim,,,,you know I just fly by the seat of my pants,,,so of course I am no help there at all!
I do think it might be a good idea to limit oneself to just a few supplies,,,or at least TRY to,,but then I always wonder: "Hmmm,what if I just add a little of this,,,,".
I know I am looking forward to your next interview,,,!!
Hi Babs!
I am so that way with things, but I keep asking myself, "what the heck did I do there?" I keep thinking I really need to do better, but I also don't want to jinx myself.
Ohh, the limiting...TRY is absolutely the operative word, isn't it?
I knew you would be looking forward to the Conversation. I always get so excited about the conversations, too.
Thanks Babs!
Love,
Kim
Kim, I can't wait to read your interview with Dianne and I know it's going to be great! I know what you mean, when I get in that 'zone' of creativity I fly around in a kind of energetic haze and I don't know how I got certain effects afterwards. The silvery color does remind me of the light reflective pearl irridescent acrylic color though.
Kim I just love these squares of color, the surfaces you created here aer beautiful and, put together like this, even more! You know, I believe that even if you didn't exactly record what you did, or used, you'll exactly know how to do it next time you get into that "no thinking" mood:) I had a teacher who always said, don't worry, the next will even be better! I think that our mind registers all the necessary things, and I really do believe in the process...and that it will show us where to go and what to use, it happens like automatically.
Looking forward to your interview with Dianne,
have a great day
love
Andrea
Kim I can only work when I'm not here so to speak (do you understand?)I never make proofs. it sticks to my mind and goes further and further.
love you
Hi Lynette,
So you are guessing pearl...you just might be right. The hardest part for me was both the inference and the acrylic pearl were sitting there when I returned to the studio to check on these. If it had been one or the other I might have known for sure.
The good thing about doing this is I can hear what other people do and how others feel about it. I really appreciate hearing this challenge is more common than I originally guessed.
Oh you are in for a real treat, Lynnette, with this Conversation with Dianne!
Thanks Lynette!
Love,
Kim
Hi Andrea,
This is really a good way to look at this issue. Just like Kendra was saying just doing this becomes a part of who you are and if/when you need it the "knowledge" will come back to you. As your teacher said, it will probably even be better.
I have to say I am feeling a lot better about my inability to document my processes.
You are going to love this interview, Andrea!
You have a lovely day there in Paris...we are getting snow here today! Finally! Yippee!
Love,
Kim
Hi Yvette,
Yes I do understand. I think many people are like this, so I am also feeling better about not being able to document my process.
Thanks Yvette!
Love,
Kim
Hi Kim,
I'm back online! Yay! So you'll be hearing more from me again now.
I love experimenting with materials too. I've been encouraged by tutors to keep a journal listing exactly what pigments and materials I use in what measures and what order with colour swatches etc etc. Although I'm sure it could be a very good reference for the future, I think I'd pull myself out of the creative moment if I tried to do that! I imagine that you feel the same. You are such a creative, I'm sure you don't want to waste time recording all that stuff because you're an artist, rather than a technician. Don't get me wrong, I admire anyone who does have the discipline to keep such journal and don't deny that it would be useful but it would just interupt my flow. (Maybe I'm feeling a little guilty that I haven't followed tutor's advice on this one! ;-))
I do, however, take loads of photos as I go along so these tend to be enough of a reminder for me. I think you already do that too. don't you?
Dear Kim,
The very nature of making art, makes us drift into that state of mind that just flows along often without conscious thought - time becomes altered and we become focused in that alpha state. To suddenly document our actions, we would have to change our level of consciousness. I kind of figure out what I have done at the end of a painting session and sometimes write this down in my journal.
Can't wait for our conversation tomorrow!!
Sleep well!
Oh Yeah Sweet Fiona! I have missed you so much...also know you have been very busy with your wonderful life. I am so glad you are back!
You know me well, Fiona! Yes, this is just the issue with me. I keep hearing of tutors who advise this method of documentation and now hear of working artists who just cannot make themselves break through to document these things...yes, I do create and being a technician is just not the way I can work. I also admire people who can pop in and out to do this kind of thing, but hard as I try I cannot. Don't feel guilty...as a tutor, I can tell you we don't know everything. I am sure your tutor really wants you to figure out what is right for you.
Now here is my guilty truth...I am not good with even documenting with photographs. I really wish I were better. I am working on some of these "working" issues I have though and everyone here is helping me to move forward with that.
Thank You Fiona! I am so very glad you are back!
Love,
Kim
Hi Dianne,
Yes, I can see where staying with what I am doing, then documenting once I am finished for the day might work. If I can combine what you and Fiona say and use the camera and the journal, I might be able to come up with something...now just doing it. Maybe it is back to what Andrea and Kendra said and realizing it is already a part of me and letting it go to return when I need it. I guess I will see how it goes from this point.
These are all such good bits of information and help to me. I love this blogging world.
Tomorrow! Is it going to be exciting!
Love,
Kim
Kim, I wish I had tips on keeping track of things mentally while painting. Like you, I disappear into the work. So often I will look at a completed painting and try to remember how I did something in a certain area and the memory simply evades me.
Hello San!
It is lovely to hear from you...I have missed your pondering.
Do you think this problem is age related? :) Just kidding I know you are a young woman still....I am thinking this record keeping is something the academics dreamed up thinking it to be helpful... Or maybe men do that better...ask at your house :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Love,
Kim
Post a Comment