I have dubbed 2014 the year of creativity. I’m taking a self-imposed hiatus from expectations and obligations with regard to all of my creative endeavors. I’ve been struggling for quite some time with an overloaded schedule. Combine that pesky little beast with overblown expectations and you have a recipe for anti-creativity.
I need a little time to think.
The Don gave me an absolutely lovely birthday present. Lifebook 2014 is a year-long art course, but really it’s so much more than just a course. Each week you are taken through a different lesson. There are loads of instructors and a variety of approaches, materials, and groups which provide encouragement & feedback.
We’re only four weeks in, but I’m already seeing such a wonderful impact on MY art. I’ve learned new techniques that I wouldn’t have tried myself and expanded my ideas in so many ways. And while the lessons are fabulous, I find that I immediately want to hop over to my current work-in-progress and apply my new knowledge.
I’m having a blast and my studio is a wreck. Woo hoo!
Because of Lifebook, I’m currently having a love affair with watercolor pencils and crayons. Especially the crayons. They are creamy. They blend and layer so beautifully.
At the end of the year, you can bind all the projects together in a book which will serve as a roadmap and reminder of methods, materials, and techniques.
Here’s my current WIP. She’s on a 24×24″ cradled board, and has lots of delicious texture. Her hair was just waaaaay too purple, so I’ve gessoed over to mute it. Always a surprise! Those stars were applied with thick gesso and are raised from the surface of the painting. Can’t wait to see them after I’ve painted more.