Oh this is so relatable. I hate the idea of niche-ing. And my favourite great artists explored all sorts of styles and media. Because they found joy in the exploration and that shines through. From Picasso, to Hockney, to Emin.
Oh yes!! Recently I thought about Chagal and his stained glass windows… pure joy! Thank you for reading and your comment Kat! I love hearing from like minded people 🩷
Yes 🙌 I felt the extreme need to have a particular style, only create within the realms of certain subject matter and really zero room to experiment. I have also returned to that childlike feeling, allowing my imagination to create…. Rather than scenes and landscapes it’s funny like characters and stories… it’s so interesting to watch what happens when we actually allow ourselves to relax and be ourselves!!
Oh yes I agree with you!! Zero room to experiment is exactly what kills creativity.. I’m glad you found your way too! Thank you for sharing your experience and your comment 🩷
Thank you for sharing these words, which celebrate the freedom to fully embrace the creative process. I too like making different kinds of art and am just about to start exploring cold porcelain clay.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU for putting this down “on paper.” It’s such a liberation to finally return to the joy of making and no longer should-ing all over ourselves. I’m right there with you in this journey of rediscovery ✨✨✨ enjoy!!!!
"I make art for the sake of making art, not because I want a finished piece, and even though I do enjoy having collections of finished work, I think it’s a lovely bonus on top of the pure joy and excitement creativity brings me."
I can relate so much with all of this Lisa, I want it all too!
Loving the freedom and joy your last drawings express, I think it reflects a lot about your state of mind and where you are in your art journey at the moment 💕 have a nice weekend!
It often feels strange to me that in a sector that's all about creative freedom that there can still be so many boxes and restrictions that you are made to feel are necessary. Restricting yourself to a certain style or medium.
Creating like you used to as a child resonates, too. In speaking with a local artist this week, I've realised how much resistance I've had in drawing people and how things like life drawing have been ignored because of not feeling good enough at portraits during secondary school. The knock on effect of not trying those routes for expression is that I don't have that full body movement in making art (it's more of a pen hold like writing) and that is likely holding me back. One of my mini goals is to try an in-person life drawing class before the end of the year.
I agree so much with you - such a paradox that all those boxes exist and persist! I had exactly the same issue with figure drawing and portraits, and I’m planning to join a summer school on life drawing in August! Thank you so much for your comment and sharing your experience! I wish you a lot of fun and enjoyment with the life drawing classes!
“….because I don’t want to choose a niche, I want it all. My practice changes dramatically throughout the year as I am influenced a lot by the seasons, and, yes, I do understand the tradeoffs, but this is who I am and has always been.”
YES! I resonate with so much of what you said. I want my practice to feel joyful and playful, but yet I still find myself harshly judging the results at times. I am also drawn to lots of different mediums and enjoy the making aspect a ton, but find myself wondering if it’s worth sharing. There’s a lot that goes into being an artist, especially in the time of social media I think. Thanks so much for sharing.
Oh I get you Kelly! I think this year was a bit overwhelming and I decided that art making is my safe space and with this decision came this realisation that I don’t want to fit into any boxes and my art is for me… Of course if someone is interested in what I make or write - then it’s lovely and I’m eternally grateful, but it’s not defining what I do anymore. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your kind comment 🙏🏻
Oh this is so relatable. I hate the idea of niche-ing. And my favourite great artists explored all sorts of styles and media. Because they found joy in the exploration and that shines through. From Picasso, to Hockney, to Emin.
Oh yes!! Recently I thought about Chagal and his stained glass windows… pure joy! Thank you for reading and your comment Kat! I love hearing from like minded people 🩷
Yes 🙌 I felt the extreme need to have a particular style, only create within the realms of certain subject matter and really zero room to experiment. I have also returned to that childlike feeling, allowing my imagination to create…. Rather than scenes and landscapes it’s funny like characters and stories… it’s so interesting to watch what happens when we actually allow ourselves to relax and be ourselves!!
Oh yes I agree with you!! Zero room to experiment is exactly what kills creativity.. I’m glad you found your way too! Thank you for sharing your experience and your comment 🩷
Thank you for sharing these words, which celebrate the freedom to fully embrace the creative process. I too like making different kinds of art and am just about to start exploring cold porcelain clay.
Thank you for your lovely comment Sereena!🩷 Cold porcelain cosy sounds exciiiiiting!!! I wish you lots of fun playing with it!
Thank you thank you THANK YOU for putting this down “on paper.” It’s such a liberation to finally return to the joy of making and no longer should-ing all over ourselves. I’m right there with you in this journey of rediscovery ✨✨✨ enjoy!!!!
Oh thank you for your kind words Cynthia!! I’m glad this resonates with you, thank you for your support it means so much 🩷
"I make art for the sake of making art, not because I want a finished piece, and even though I do enjoy having collections of finished work, I think it’s a lovely bonus on top of the pure joy and excitement creativity brings me."
THIS!! 100%!
The pure joy and excitement of creativity!
Thank you for sharing this.
Yes, it’s the most important 🩷 thank you for reading and for your comment Lou!!
Loved this Lisa! I also can’t imagine forcing myself to only stick to one style or genre. It would totally ruin the art making experience for me.
Thank you Nino 🩷 yes, I agree!!
I enjoyed your article. The beautiful colors of your artwork caught my eye as I was scrolling.
Thank you Leisa!!
I can relate so much with all of this Lisa, I want it all too!
Loving the freedom and joy your last drawings express, I think it reflects a lot about your state of mind and where you are in your art journey at the moment 💕 have a nice weekend!
Thank you Teresa!! Yes, I think I finally feel the shift in my mind 🙏🏻 have a nice weekend too 🩷
It often feels strange to me that in a sector that's all about creative freedom that there can still be so many boxes and restrictions that you are made to feel are necessary. Restricting yourself to a certain style or medium.
Creating like you used to as a child resonates, too. In speaking with a local artist this week, I've realised how much resistance I've had in drawing people and how things like life drawing have been ignored because of not feeling good enough at portraits during secondary school. The knock on effect of not trying those routes for expression is that I don't have that full body movement in making art (it's more of a pen hold like writing) and that is likely holding me back. One of my mini goals is to try an in-person life drawing class before the end of the year.
I agree so much with you - such a paradox that all those boxes exist and persist! I had exactly the same issue with figure drawing and portraits, and I’m planning to join a summer school on life drawing in August! Thank you so much for your comment and sharing your experience! I wish you a lot of fun and enjoyment with the life drawing classes!
“….because I don’t want to choose a niche, I want it all. My practice changes dramatically throughout the year as I am influenced a lot by the seasons, and, yes, I do understand the tradeoffs, but this is who I am and has always been.”
YES! I resonate with so much of what you said. I want my practice to feel joyful and playful, but yet I still find myself harshly judging the results at times. I am also drawn to lots of different mediums and enjoy the making aspect a ton, but find myself wondering if it’s worth sharing. There’s a lot that goes into being an artist, especially in the time of social media I think. Thanks so much for sharing.
Oh I get you Kelly! I think this year was a bit overwhelming and I decided that art making is my safe space and with this decision came this realisation that I don’t want to fit into any boxes and my art is for me… Of course if someone is interested in what I make or write - then it’s lovely and I’m eternally grateful, but it’s not defining what I do anymore. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your kind comment 🙏🏻