Week 21 - Keeping On, Keeping On... Motivation

by Sharon Cranston

No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.

William Blake

Motivation

How do I keep motivated? By changing things up from time to time, trying something new, and challenging myself to go out of my current comfort zone into the unknown, as the unknown can be rejuvenating.

Currently I'm into painting with knives, and lovin' it. A great motivator to get yourself into the studio is being excited about what you're doing, and I'm excited about painting with knives.

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Field of Dreams - 24' x 24'

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Field of Dreams

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Detail of Field of Dreams

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Detail of Field of Dreams

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Detail of Field of Dreams

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Opportunity Knocks! Submit your work today for SCA's 55th Open International Juried Exhibition. You don't need to be a member of SCA to enter your work, so go for it, you'll never know if you don't try...

For more info: SCA 55th Open International Juried Exhibition

As Atlantic Representative for the Society of Canadian Artists, if you have any questions re SCA membership, activities, or exhibitions, give me a shout.

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Ask the Artists

How do you overcome Creative Blocks?

Holly O: Creative blocks are hard to overcome. In my experience a good long hike can often get my creative wheels spinning. Time and patience also go a long way in getting past a block or lack of inspiration. Instagram link.
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Wendy Birmingham: I've never had a creative block but I do sometimes have a hard time getting myself into the studio to paint... so at those times I have to make myself go. I start by organising things or tidying or I play with painting ideas in photoshop and I'm good to go. Instagram link..
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Sheila Davis: I love to flip through photos of others work. Pinterest and instagram and are great inspiration. The colours jump off the page. But really I love flipping through my photos. I could spend hours playing with them to get the perfect image. I generally don’t get blocks.  If it gets to that point then change is in the air. It’s been years since I’ve had a block Instagram link.
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Aili Kurtis: I go for long walks in nature and take photos. When I return to the studio, I usually delete most of the photos but might save one or two that might inspire me to do a painting—either now or in a few years. Nature is an endless source of inspiration! Instagram link.
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Louise Hicks: Creative blocks are great fuel for housework - which I hate.  Painting is a good excuse to leave the housework so I will go tone some canvases.  Sometimes that'll close the circle and get me over the hump.  Sometimes I just end up with a clean house. Facebook link.
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Jen Lawton: I am a realist painter with over 20,000 photos in my library. I will constantly peruse these pictures and sort out ones that catch my interest at the time (ie. The farm animals recently). A theme may present itself, and I go looking for more supporting photos from which to draw. Sometimes, the audiobooks I listen to while painting strike a nerve and suggest a theme. Instagram link.
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Brian Buckrell: I don't have creative blocks. This is a job - one I love  . I just get up and go to work. Creativity follows. Instagram link.

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Until next week...

The Universe loves you.

 

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