Pondering…

Last night I attended the inaugural Philosophy Café in Ipswich.  It was a really enjoyable evening, vibrant conversation, good coffee and an engaging speaker (thankyou Gil!).

One little aside has had my head swimming ever since…  Whilst discussing what is or isn’t art, an audience member voiced her opinion that communication (or a desire to communicate something) was a key ingredient she used to measure if something was art.  I have always held a belief that passion was a necessary ingredient in art and now that I ponder it, communication hits a chord and rings true for me as well.   

“Is Communication the Key?”

Kylie Marie Stevens

Encaustic and collage on timber

235 x 290mm

2010

I’ve put together this little encaustic collage whilst I have been pondering this morning.   I’ve never worked with typography in my artwork before.  I’d love to know what you think… Both about this little piece and what you think art is…

Do you know why?

The question was raised for me in a TED lecture recently and my head has been spinning trying to figure it out ever since. I just couldn’t articulate what was in my heart. I kept coming back to things like, I love to paint, I have to paint, it’s my passion, but these statements seemed lame and shallow and overused. I knew what I felt was more, but how to put words to it? When Tuesday’s painting session was a flop the light bulb went off, I realised what I was craving, what was missing from this unsuccessful experience.

 Pallete

oil on canvas

35.5 x 35.5 cm

1998

(Sharing another really old painting of mine here, just to put a picture that is sort of appropriate in the post!!)

Why do I paint?

I paint because: when it all goes right it is such a rush, just like a drug, it leaves me elated and energised.

I paint because; this is the arena where I feel accomplishment and pride in my skills in my creativity.

I paint because; my blood surges with adrenalin as I realise it’s all coming together, I know well before the last brush stroke if I am on a winner.

I paint because; my chest swells when I glimpse a new and fabulous painting drying on my easel. To think I have created this beauty to be left in the world long after I am gone is so exciting and awe inspiring.

And although these statements are about painting, it really is about why I create. When I am really into creating something it dosn't matter if it is a painting, sculpture or piece of jewellery the feelings of accomplishment and elation are the same.

I’m not sure I’m really at the core of it yet. But I feel I am on my way to being able to articulate and share why it is that I am so passionate about following my creative visions. Do you feel similarly? Are you able to articulate what drives you to spend your time and money putting your heart and soul into creating something that never existed before?

Inspiration

I’ve been pondering inspiration and where it comes from, I’ve been a bit funny about sharing these thoughts in case it led to any of you thinking I was a nutter (or perhaps just nuttier than you thought!).

I feel like I am inspired on different levels, sometimes it will be a colour scheme in nature, a texture or line that catches my eye and leads me off on a path to create something. These pieces are often good, but never my best work. They flow quite easily and are appealing and engaging, but something is missing.

Then there are pieces that I want to paint, a particular landscape or other image, generally from one of my experiences/photos. These paintings can be hard work and stretch out to months of meticulous work and as one gallery dealer once said to me. “What makes them more than a pretty photograph?” They are paintings, some of them are beautiful, but they don’t speak to me.

Then there is what I am starting to think of as “true inspiration”, this has only happened for me a few times. After the first time it was years before it happened again and I started to believe it was a one off occurrence. While sitting quietly trusting that inspiration would come, the idea arrived in my head almost fully formed. The painting was just about effortless, I never wondered what to do next and it just flowed. Both the experience and the end result filled me with joy. This piece “Untitled I” is the first piece created with the assistance “true inspiration”.

"Untitled I"

oil on canvas

101 x 76cm

1999

not for sale

I know this true inspiration is what I should be aiming for, I feel like both Adrift and Namaste have come from that place lately and they are making everything I have created since feel really flat. So I am going to have to trust and be quiet and wait. Just because I have time to paint doesn’t mean inspiration is going to come calling. I plan to be ready with the skills and materials on hand when it calls……..

That’s it for My Creative Space this week, lots of pondering, but nothing new and exciting to share. I have finished crocheting the new wash cloth that is part of my giveaway. I realised I didn’t put a draw date on it, so how about tomorrow? So if you haven’t put your name in the hat you still have a moment to pop over and do it!

I’m off to check out other creative spaces, to see what the productive creative folk have been up to while I have been trashing beautiful canvas's and pondering! More pondering on “Why?” soon….