I’m so happy that you shared your thoughts with us today Orla, it resonate so much with me. It’s so important to read, especially from artists, that nothings is linear and on idea can lead to another, the unexpected should not be feared
You asked about incorporating words into paintings. For several months this past year I did a (nearly) daily image journal. Using mostly Inktense I would write a word or two on the paper and then just start making marks, not trying to match the images to the words. It was an interesting practice but,of course, most of the paintings were not anywhere near a finished image. One day I wrote “Big Magic Oatmeal.” because I was reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic and I had oatmeal for breakfast. A beautiful painting of a tree showed up. I am doing more writing journaling now and recently a poem grew out of it which was paralleled by an abstract painting on the same theme.
Orla - I lost track of this blog or whatever it is, just saw your comment today.
I had never had any art classes at all after kindergarten until I started painting in my mid-60's. I started with a very intuitive process that the teacher uses for personal exploration/spiritual growth. I think this process helps you become more who you are and that, for me, is being an artist. Better late than never.
A year later I began studying with a plein air painter. Now I want to develop my abstract / intuitive work more.
As for your questions. I could talk on and on about it but the bottom line is that I can't really explain it. Yes, of course, everything I do influences everything else, how could it not? I don't think I can post an image here but I will post the painting and the poem that I wrote around the same time on the share on the patreon site.
I am an increasingly enthusiastic beginner, being inspired by what’s showing up on here. I value your sharing Orla, and the comments of others. It’s humbling to be involved with so many experienced artists who visit here, and who add value. I have spent most of my career helping people access more of their right brain faculties, through tools and techniques. Many moons go, I was invited to spend a day with final year students at The Glasgow School Of Art. I introduced them to the upside down drawing exercise in Betty Edwards’ Drawing On the Right Side Of The Brain. They did the full exercise and most were amazed, their Lecturers were not aware of her work. I also introduced them to the tool used by Andrew Carnegie, back in the first decades of the 20th Century, for accessing creativity and intuition. He developed an adult version of what many children did through play by imagining they were their hero. It’s possible that with modern life and the distraction of devices that kids no longer do this. Anyway I had them imagine they were their hero from the world of art. I taught them how to do this from an adult perspective and to allow the notion of their creativity combined with their own down the work. Months later the Lecturers came back to sharing that the work had improved considerably. I am on holiday in Naples FL and thanks to Orla I have brought prepared sketchbook washes to do something each day. My wife is wondering what’s happening to me. :-)
Hi Jack! Thank you so much, and I feel the same! It feels great to connect with so many people doing great things on the internet.
This sounds fascinating! What a job, I’d love to hear more about it all - it must have set you up really well in mindset, for exploring art yourself now.
I’ve been meaning to work through her book, I’ve got it sitting on a shelf waiting to be explored 📕 Working upside down is a sure way to switch of the over thinking 🧠
Do you run workshops on embodying your hero now? I’d love to take part if you run any sessions!
I hope you both have a great holiday, and that’s so lovely to hear you’re taking your sketchbooks with you! Happy holiday drawing :)
Hi Orla, sorry, I am only just seeing this now. I could be better with all the online connections I have. I’ve sent you a couple of emails in the past kind of regarding this. I also participated on the call on Saturday morning. Happy to have a blether anytime to explain more.
That's really interesting. I was never much of an athlete and struggled with downhill skiing. Until one day I got silly and pretended I was one of those 14 year old boys yelling while they careened down the slope. All of a sudden I was floating down the slope on my edges, beautiful turns all the way down.
I just watched your video again. Process is such an interesting topic. I quilted for many years - nice work but very traditional and not particularly inspired. At age 59 I made a dramatic change in my life and walked away from a lifetime of oppression. Next thing I knew I was creating my own designs for my quilts - AND I started noticing and documenting the process. Which was much messier than it is portrayed in the books or classes - of course.
When we make art a part of us shows up in our work. What you are striving for in your work is an authentic expression of yourself. Sometimes you hit it more easily than other times. It's like walking through a forest every day - sometimes it is just walking. Other days you see that bald eagle or spot a rare plant. But you would never have seen that eagle if you hadn't been out there every day.
My abstract work is much less reliably worth looking at yours, but then I have only been at this for a few years and don't have the exposure or training that you do. I love what you are doing and the way you share your processes with us. I don't know that I will eventually work quite the way you do but I know that I am learning things from you and I am delighted with the community sharing that you encourage.
I’m so happy that you shared your thoughts with us today Orla, it resonate so much with me. It’s so important to read, especially from artists, that nothings is linear and on idea can lead to another, the unexpected should not be feared
Thank you Lyly, that’s so great to hear 😊 I certainly need reminded of it from time to time!
You asked about incorporating words into paintings. For several months this past year I did a (nearly) daily image journal. Using mostly Inktense I would write a word or two on the paper and then just start making marks, not trying to match the images to the words. It was an interesting practice but,of course, most of the paintings were not anywhere near a finished image. One day I wrote “Big Magic Oatmeal.” because I was reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic and I had oatmeal for breakfast. A beautiful painting of a tree showed up. I am doing more writing journaling now and recently a poem grew out of it which was paralleled by an abstract painting on the same theme.
That sounds really interesting - did you see any similarities over the project, and were they something you took into other work?
This sounds fascinating-I’d love to understand more where these images and connections come from, the subconscious is incredible!
Orla - I lost track of this blog or whatever it is, just saw your comment today.
I had never had any art classes at all after kindergarten until I started painting in my mid-60's. I started with a very intuitive process that the teacher uses for personal exploration/spiritual growth. I think this process helps you become more who you are and that, for me, is being an artist. Better late than never.
A year later I began studying with a plein air painter. Now I want to develop my abstract / intuitive work more.
As for your questions. I could talk on and on about it but the bottom line is that I can't really explain it. Yes, of course, everything I do influences everything else, how could it not? I don't think I can post an image here but I will post the painting and the poem that I wrote around the same time on the share on the patreon site.
I am an increasingly enthusiastic beginner, being inspired by what’s showing up on here. I value your sharing Orla, and the comments of others. It’s humbling to be involved with so many experienced artists who visit here, and who add value. I have spent most of my career helping people access more of their right brain faculties, through tools and techniques. Many moons go, I was invited to spend a day with final year students at The Glasgow School Of Art. I introduced them to the upside down drawing exercise in Betty Edwards’ Drawing On the Right Side Of The Brain. They did the full exercise and most were amazed, their Lecturers were not aware of her work. I also introduced them to the tool used by Andrew Carnegie, back in the first decades of the 20th Century, for accessing creativity and intuition. He developed an adult version of what many children did through play by imagining they were their hero. It’s possible that with modern life and the distraction of devices that kids no longer do this. Anyway I had them imagine they were their hero from the world of art. I taught them how to do this from an adult perspective and to allow the notion of their creativity combined with their own down the work. Months later the Lecturers came back to sharing that the work had improved considerably. I am on holiday in Naples FL and thanks to Orla I have brought prepared sketchbook washes to do something each day. My wife is wondering what’s happening to me. :-)
Hi Jack! Thank you so much, and I feel the same! It feels great to connect with so many people doing great things on the internet.
This sounds fascinating! What a job, I’d love to hear more about it all - it must have set you up really well in mindset, for exploring art yourself now.
I’ve been meaning to work through her book, I’ve got it sitting on a shelf waiting to be explored 📕 Working upside down is a sure way to switch of the over thinking 🧠
Do you run workshops on embodying your hero now? I’d love to take part if you run any sessions!
I hope you both have a great holiday, and that’s so lovely to hear you’re taking your sketchbooks with you! Happy holiday drawing :)
Hi Orla, sorry, I am only just seeing this now. I could be better with all the online connections I have. I’ve sent you a couple of emails in the past kind of regarding this. I also participated on the call on Saturday morning. Happy to have a blether anytime to explain more.
That's really interesting. I was never much of an athlete and struggled with downhill skiing. Until one day I got silly and pretended I was one of those 14 year old boys yelling while they careened down the slope. All of a sudden I was floating down the slope on my edges, beautiful turns all the way down.
I just watched your video again. Process is such an interesting topic. I quilted for many years - nice work but very traditional and not particularly inspired. At age 59 I made a dramatic change in my life and walked away from a lifetime of oppression. Next thing I knew I was creating my own designs for my quilts - AND I started noticing and documenting the process. Which was much messier than it is portrayed in the books or classes - of course.
When we make art a part of us shows up in our work. What you are striving for in your work is an authentic expression of yourself. Sometimes you hit it more easily than other times. It's like walking through a forest every day - sometimes it is just walking. Other days you see that bald eagle or spot a rare plant. But you would never have seen that eagle if you hadn't been out there every day.
My abstract work is much less reliably worth looking at yours, but then I have only been at this for a few years and don't have the exposure or training that you do. I love what you are doing and the way you share your processes with us. I don't know that I will eventually work quite the way you do but I know that I am learning things from you and I am delighted with the community sharing that you encourage.