Always Be..... Learning

Some of you may know that I went to an art college for 4 years, graduating in 2011.  Since then I have been lucky enough to be a full-time artist - part of my income coming from selling paintings and partly from teaching. I was offered to start teaching small classes right away at local art associations, etc.  At first, I saw it as one link in the chain between me and working a "real" job.  I was incredibly nervous about doing it and had these fantastical nightmarish thoughts of people walking out of the classroom (which has happened on occasion-ouch).  Anyways,  I soon realized that teaching.....was, well, teaching me.  I learned so much immediately and it improved my own paintings.  I value teaching immensely.  It is a way to keep me growing and a way to keep art alive and help others grow artistically.

Besides watching art DVDs and reading art books religiously, for  the last 3 years, I've been the teacher and not the student.  Finally, this year  I have been able to once again be a student in the classroom! 

I tell you, when you wait 3 years to have that opportunity- you soak up every bit you can get....and oddly enough it was more freeing and less pressure than being the teacher. Of course, there was a time where this was not the case. I've had many a burial ceremony for terrible paintings, broken brushes and canvases and drawing boards have doubled as Frisbees accompanied by obscenities.

I see time and time again, artists who are considered professional artists- meaning they are showing and selling their work,  teaching and even winning awards -  settle in.  They could still use some stretching, some learning and would benefit greatly from investing in their continued education....but they stop taking classes or workshops.  I mean, how can you be the teacher if you are the student?  The identities don't seem to mesh.

Personally, I find there is a freedom to leaving your "identity" at home when you go to take a class. 

 I recently was able to take a workshop with an artist, David Leffel, whose work I have admired for the last 7 years.  I realized I was going to be learning from someone who has been teaching and painting for probably 50 years!  Wow, that is impressive.  I have the greatest respect for his life, his artistic ideals and the intensity of which he teaches at an age of 80!  I was astounded by his respect for each and every student, his joy in painting and love of sharing with others.  He exuded generosity.

I learned so much at this workshop.  It really blew my mind actually, how I could have heard all of the words before and thought that I understood them, but didn't.  Somehow, just watching him mix paint, load his brush and paint the painting - up close and personal - things clicked in beyond my understanding.  When I went to paint, the simplicity which is revealed by understanding was there.  Bizarre.  This is the magic of learning! 

Honestly,  I really was not expecting much from the workshop.  Not that I was being pessimistic, but I thought to myself : "you know, he's really old now....he may not have much energy to teach.....I may not get very much help....who knows how many people will be in the class....who knows how many groupies will be clamoring for his attention", etc.  Mostly, I just wanted to have had the experience of studying with him at least one time. 

I think this is also a key to learning- NO EXPECTATIONS- which allows you just to be open, to experience in the moment without the need for control.  This is prime psychological ground for development.  Who knew!  Also, this is a state of mind I think that David tries to encourage his students to be in.  You have a plan, but you let go. You forget about your past successes and failures and just "be" with each brushstroke at a time.

Some David Leffel Mantra's that he told me while at the workshop (which I love):

• Paint like you're standing on the edge of a cliff.
• Change one word in your vocabulary, scary....to.....exciting, and you change your whole personality.
• Work forwards, don't work sideways.
• Don't be aggressive.  You have to allow good things to just come TO you.

No matter which artists you like, I hope you will continue to find joy in learning.  If you feel stuck, one sure way to get unstuck is to go take a class....get someone elses point of view on the world.

Consider a different way of looking at things.  Just question, just explore, just enjoy the whole process.

Here are some photos from the workshop:

Happy Artist.
Day 1 of 2 days of Still life painting.

 

I just loved watching this come to life!  Out of nothingness into somethingness.
 His mantra: Start the Finish, very apparent here.

 

I loved the tension between the large dark jar and the little blue and white vase. It was like the north pole and south pole, like an invisible force between them. Interesting.

 

The end shot of David's still life demonstration.  2.5 hours.  Just gorgeous.

 

David critiquing a student. Skeletons are photo bombing again....come on you guys!

 

Day 1 of portrait painting.  There is a little short demo he did on next to the modelling stand to help us get started.  This is a students painting he is working on here.....although she was not even in the room. I was wondering if she would notice when she came back. 

 

Towards the end of the evening demonstration.  This was after his 3rd day in a row teaching.
He pulled a 12 hour day and without dinner. I don't know how he was standing at the end. 

 

Not the best photo, but this one had some of the little pearls he did at the end and his signature.

 

Talking about "air".  Some people had to take a break after that conversation! Ha Ha.

 

Yet another demo, one last one, on Sunday morning. Probably 1 hour total.
He generously gave this to the student whose panel he used.

 

David's Palette: Naples Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Venetian Red, Cad Yellow Deep, Cad Yellow Light, Cad Red Light, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber, Ivory Black, Alizarin Crimson, Flake White; Maroger.

Do What Makes You Happy!

I am learning over time to harness the power of that voice inside that tells me, you know you should do that it would make you feel happier, better.  We have an inner wisdom, sometimes called intuition. 

Intuition- a thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.

I am really learning to love this fluid way of life.  Of course, I set goals like a mad woman and I spend a lot of time questioning, writing and working like mad to achieve my goals! In the past, when this little voice said- "hey, you need a day off, or you need to take a walk or you need to plant some flowers"... Often, I would not allow myself to do these things and think, no ,no gotta keep working!  However, sometimes your mind needs a little downtime and there are so many things that will recharge that battery and help you to approach the next day with more Energy and Enthusiasm than what you would have had if you pushed through.  

Enthusiasm! Passion! Aliveness!
Whatever the word is, this feeling is one of the keys to doing all things exceptionally.  I don't know about you, but when I am feeling drained or sad I sure as heck don't feel like creating art. And have you ever noticed that the more you are fascinated by a landscape scene, still life, a model- the more you are able to let go and just enjoy the creative process? 

The fabulous thing is, the more I have opened up to this experience the more they start to come to me and the more inspired I feel. Sometimes I can just see the colors on a pear and I just can't wait to try and capture that beauty after trying so hard to set up some magnificent still life and failing miserably. 
 
Here's the other thing: the more frustrated you feel the more you need to do something that makes you happy to break the loop of negative feelings. You can't get inspired from frustration, so you have to change your emotional state first!  Go take a walk. Smell the Roses. Dance naked in your living room with a glass of wine to disco...okay, okay you get the point. Find what works for you.  Much Love.

After a couple of months of trying to push myself artistically resulting in the below gallery pieces, I needed the pendulum to swing the other way. So I decided to take a couple of days to just do some 1 hour mini sketches just for the heck of it, and it was fun and a good break!

Larger Pieces completed in January & February:

A Few of the Fun Mini (4"x4") 60 minute sketches:

Lessons Learned from Demonstrations

One reason that I love plein air painting and doing demonstrations for classes or public events is that it forces me to work quickly.  I usually have 1-2 hours for this type of work versus when I'm in the studio there is really no time limit and I feel I have plenty of time.

The challenge of demos is the nerve-wracking feeling that #1 people are watching! Yikes.  #2 I have to explain what I'm doing while I'm doing it!  #3  I've got to get this to look like something in 60 minutes!  Trust me folks, it is scary no matter how many times I do it. At least with plein air you have the security of knowing if it doesn't go well, nobody has to see it. :)

However, the biggest lesson I have learned from doing this type of work is the benefit of FOCUS. I must prioritize! Going for the main role of each object and letting little details go.

I really have to decide quickly: What's the point of this painting? What value is that? Color? Saturation? Warmer, Cooler? What's the best shape? What kind of brushstroke? Harder or Softer Edge? Thick, thin? I have to push the painting to "finish" with every decision, every brushstroke. 

It is such an exciting problem solving game where you have to put something down and see how it works. Some turn out better than others, but in general there is a freshness, a spontaneity, a mystery, a movement  that I sometimes miss out on when I have 2 days in the studio.

So, if you have not tried setting a time limit for yourself - give it a shot! Grab a smaller panel, set a timer and paint with the most focus you can. I suggest 60 minutes as your brain will get tired.  Take a break...and do another!  There is a lot to be learned that I think we can apply to our more "finished" studio work.

Here are some examples of some 60-90 minute demos:

 

You will get faster and better the more you do. Give it a Go and let me know your thoughts. Best wishes.

RATTLE THAT CAGE ~ Merry F!*@ Christmas!

I know the title of this seems a little scary, but I promise you I am probably the most sappy hearted Christmas lover you have ever met!  Yes, I cry over every tender hearted word, song, gift.  In all honesty it is because I am so grateful for all of the love in my life and every opportunity I have ever been given.  However, I also know this is the time of year when most of us are contemplating what all we have done in the past year and what on earth we might want to do in the coming year.

For some reason us human beings are particularly good at building our own CAGES and then we are gifted with an incredible self pity and the ability to BLAME anyone and every circumstance for that cage so that we have an excuse to stay in it. The bars on our cage are made from various things, to name a few here: Procrastination, Fear, Low Self Esteem, Laziness and ROUTINE.  Sadly, the reason why many actually have low self esteem is because they are giving into procrastination, laziness and fear. They go hand in hand.  When you know in your mind's eye the person you really BELIEVE you are capable of being, but yet you are not progressing towards that....guess what the result is?  Yep, you guessed it depression and low self esteem. It's time to MAKE THAT BELIEF YOUR REALITY!

For many of us it seems the only time we are JOLTED, literally, into change is by some outside circumstance or crisis that wakes us up: i.e. a break up, divorce, loss of a job.  And for most of us we might work towards change for a little while, but then go right back to where we were before. Why is it sooooo hard to change? 

Well, I think #1, it's because our brains are so accustomed to our ROUTINE. 

Most of us tend to do the same things day in and day out and not really changing much. I think this actually becomes more the truth when you become a little COMFORTABLE....like that nice soft warm bed on a winters morning. You don't want to get out of it because you will be uncomfortable and cold- ha ha. Viscous cycle isn't it? You set a goal, you achieve it, you feel good about it, then you settle into it, relax and then boom all of the sudden your feeling sullen.  Why?  Because we always have to feel like we are growing (at least I do). It's kind of the difference between a beautiful rushing river and a stagnate swamp....and trust me the swamp....stinks. We are like the seasons, we have to go through a planting, a harvest, bountiful  indulgence, rest, hibernation and then planting again.

So I challenge you today to RATTLE THAT CAGE!!!!!  Do something different today to change up the way you see the world, the way you see yourself.  It could be anything from taking a walk, to signing up for those guitar or art lessons you keep talking about. DO IT NOW, NOW!  Do you know you only have 5 SECONDS to actually take action before the romance starts to fade. It's called DIMINISHING INTENT!

The #2 reason it is so hard to change (in my opinion) is lack of discipline.  NEWSFLASH!! You're not going to FEEL like doing it.  I don't like doing the dishes or laundry, never have, but my parents made me do it.....and well I don't like to smell stinking dishes and stinking laundry. So guess what, I DO IT.  Now the hard thing is when you have let yourself slip on your discipline, that muscle becomes weak and you have to start somewhere to build it back up.  This is where the APPLE A DAY philosophy can come in handy.

  First, find out what it is you need to work on. Could be your not eating as healthy as you would like. Start with eating AN APPLE A DAY! Perhaps, you need to work on your drawing but are always avoiding it. Start with ONE DRAWING A DAY!  Perhaps, you want to keep your home more in order. Start with, MAKING THE BED EVERY DAY! as soon as you wake up. 

 Set a time limit, like 10 minutes a day on drawing, 10 minutes a day entering those dreaded receipts into your budget.  Now here's the rub, most of us feel so PATHETIC  just doing a simple little task and we don't see how it can make much difference...and we also know that after a few days even doing this little task will prove hard. (ahh, ahh ahh- be careful here because your brain is full of bullshit and just trying to trick you to go back to the routine) But, I PROMISE YOU, you will feel sooooo much better if you do and you will build MOMENTUM that will lead to more positive changes in your life.  You will have more self esteem because you followed through and your discipline muscle will start to grow, which will in turn make you more excited about change and RATTLING your own cage at will.


And on a lighter note, ha ha ha, here are some cute little paintings I did for Christmas. These really got me into the Christmas mood and boy was it great just doing something for pure fun!  I think it's good to balance your really serious study with some lighthearted doodling fun.  Hope you enjoy.

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A Happy New Year! 

 Remember to visit my website: www.kellifolsom.com to view more paintings or to sign up for emails on classes.

Stew is Good for You

Mmmmm...this makes me hungry.  Okay, okay, I'm not talking about stew for your body. I'm talking about stew for your mind, your creativity.  Just as the right ingredients and the right amount of time  are needed to make a good stew, the same is true for a good artist.  Have you ever had that one painting that just seemed to happen magically and it possessed a certain something that all the other work you did that week, month or even year did not?

Thomas Edison is quoted as saying: "Success is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration." 

I would say also that probably 10% of what you create is really outstanding from the rest of the 90%. Disappointed?  Well, sorry to break the bad(?) news to you....but that's the way it is. For every painting you see hung nicely on a gallery wall or entered into a show, there are 9 more that just weren't as spectacular.  But if you accept that this may be the nature of reality, then you can look forward to doing those 9 paintings/drawings to get to that 1. The book Art and Fear (which I recommend) gives a fine example on this. Basically, they took a group of college pottery students and split them in half. The one half  were told they would be graded on the perfection of one pot, the second half were told they would be graded on how many pots they created.  In the end, it was the second half that had created some of the most beautiful pots more so than the first half who were concentrated on perfecting the one. 

Now in the beginning,  that gap between 1 & 10 is far more noticeable.  You may think everything looks like total shite and one looks a much better than shite! At least this is how it was for me in art school, especially the first year. The good news: as you progress and you continue to make these shite paintings.... painting after painting, tear after tear, broken paintbrush after broken paintbrush, you pass what I call "the dud stage".  At this point for me, after 7 years of painting after painting it's not that any one painting is really shite anymore. They are all reasonably good, but the stakes keep getting raised. What may have been my best painting 2 years ago, I now see how I could improve upon it or how much I have progressed since then....but overall there is a quality present that should hold up now matter how much you progress technically.

Here are examples of some of my BEST work from the END of the 1st year and I think even into the middle of my 2nd year. (I couldn't actually find any photos of beginning of 1st year)

 

This discipline and rough treatment are a furnace to extract the silver from the dross. This testing purifies the gold by boiling the scum away.- Rumi

My stew started with art school which really turned the heat on and made me BOIL!  The painful fast chopping up of drawing, painting, sculpting, critiquing, grading, rejection...CHOP CHOP CHOP. I felt like I had been through art boot camp after the first semester and I felt like a big lump of tenderized meat- overly sensitive & sore!  Like someone just beat the shit out of me so I could soak up all the flavors in the stew.   The next 3 years was really an intensive boiling that included a lot of bad art making,  self doubt, constant comparison, persistent attempts, successes and failures.  In the end, I came out  ready to simmer for the long haul.  I had finally gotten to the point where I could make work that was reasonably good....acceptable with small raw glimmers of my own voice/spirit in it.

Works from my 4th year:

 

The technical leaps in the beginning will most likely be very noticeable, you feel like you're improving at a rapid rate. In this case from year 1 to year 4...then another hard stage comes when the technical improvement seems to level off or you hit a plateau. This can be very frustrating and takes a lot of patient working and acceptance of the slower fine-tuning and maturity.

I would say if you are starting your quest to become an artist, this initial intense learning period is a must if you really want to be successful.  I'm not saying you have to go to an art school, there is definitely pros and cons to that.  I am saying you have to force yourself (which is why art school is handy because you feel forced externally to show up) to make a commitment and also to get outside instruction/mentorship as much as possible.  You are only going to get back what you put in.  So if you are doing 1 workshop a year and painting 10 hours a week, I feel it is going to be a much slower development. Of course, if this is all you can do then it's all you can do. There are so many options available: books, dvds, online courses, getting critiques by email from artists.

  So often, however I feel people have unrealistic expectations and don't really understand the work it takes to do this. Perfect Segway to yet another Edison quote:

 “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

I have been working for about 7 years now from my first entry into art school and I am just now getting to the point where I feel I'm starting to understand some things. However, I know that I'm really just beginning and I look forward to the next 60 years of honing my craft (as you can see I'm highly optimistic....I plan to be painting when I'm 95!)

 

I wanted to give you a list of (a few) books in my library that were  my staples in the early days and some I still go to on a regular basis:

• Art & Fear: Observations of the Perils & Rewards of Artmaking by David Bayles
• Toxic Criticism: Eric Maisel
• Mastery: Robert Greene
• An Artist Teaches: David Leffel
• Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Gregg Kreutz
• Oil Painting Secrets from a Master: Cateura (David Leffel)
• Harold Speed: Practice & Science of Drawing; Oil Painting Techniques & Materials