in my last blog post i mentioned taking time for an art focus recently! if you're thinking "art focus? what in the world is that!" in my case, it's basically taking the time, space and energy to focus completely on art! it's the first time i've been able to do this for myself, and i had the lovely occasion to visit my grandmother in michigan for a few weeks around thanksgiving where she let me take over a part of her basement by transforming it into a makeshift studio.
the wonderful thing about visiting my grandmother (other than my grandmother, of course!) is the location—
—which is a quiet, serene country-scape. as a child, i grew up in this setting, and i feel there will always be a special place in my heart that considers it home. just being there again, as well as having a dedicated space for my art and supplies, allowed me to focus my artistic energies on creating every day.
i did have some goals in mind when i arrived, art-supplies in tow! since it was over thanksgiving week, i figured it would be a great opportunity to experiment with my organic-ink style as life-studies. if you haven't had the chance to see what a piece done in this style looks like, here's a great example:
in contrast with my other work it feels more loose and raw, which is what i adore about it, and why i thought it would capture the mood and atmosphere of life well.
i also wanted to commit an idea for a large standard-process piece to paper; as well as experiment with new techniques in watercolor, and then turning these into completed reverse-process pieces.
so how did the art focus turn out? in the end, everything i intended! i was able to create some life-studies of our family thanksgiving activities.
my organic-ink style carried over wonderfully into life-studies. it was so much fun to be able to draw from life again—something i haven't done since i went to school at minneapolis college of art and design—and it was even more satisfying to use a style i use regularly and find satisfying.
i was also able to complete a handful of watercolor practices.
then turn these practices into completed pieces.
i always delight in doing these because i feel as though i'm able to freely express my creativity and enjoy the process of creating. the process isn't quite as laid-back as what i do with organic-ink, but it's more liberated than my standard-process.
as a bonus, i created a few thank-you cards too!
i enjoy typography quite a bit; it's not something i would say i'm specialized in but i have fun with it. it's one of those things i go to when i'm feeling uninspired or in a block; it's usually different enough from what i do to get my creative juices flowing again.
i completed the line-work and patterning for the standard-process piece as well! its size is 22"x30" and two-thirds of it is pattern-filled—which is the largest patterning i have done to date! it took around four days to fill-in, partially because of the scale, but also because this was the first time i added some line-variation to create depth in the pattern elements.
my inspiration for this idea was self-love. with that theme in mind i chose the calla lily, edelweiss and alstroemeria as elements for the pattern; these flowers symbolize daring, courage, aspiring, magnificence and beauty. i'll admit this is probably the most personal piece i have worked on so far because self-love is something i continually strive for; i have found there is no stronger love than loving yourself for who you are and what you feel you represent. to me, self-love embodies true acceptance and authenticity, and from my personal experience, without it, it can be difficult to allow the space to experience undemanding love and genuine acceptance of others.
in reflection, this art focus—as well as giving me time to be closer with my grandmother—was a great opportunity for creative and personal growth, and only affirmed further art residencies are something i sincerely want to pursue in my art life! hopefully that will be the next step in my creative journey!
thank you to all of you for your support in this journey, and stay tuned! in my next blog post i'll go into detail about my standard-process and reverse-process!
