Music Monday's: Guitar (House Full of Time)

Guitar... my new favorite group! Enjoy! (Thank you Jeffrey, by way of Andi)

Storytelling

While on vacation for that last few weeks of August I have taken the opportunity to catch up on some reading... mostly books I have purchased over the last several months with the intention of reading but never have. Right now I’m about halfway through A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink. Here’s a little blurb about it from his website...

Lawyers. Accountants. Computer programmers. That's what our parents encouraged us to become when we grew up. But Mom and Dad were wrong. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind. The era of "left brain" dominance, and the Information Age that it engendered, are giving way to a new world in which "right brain" qualities-inventiveness, empathy, meaning-predominate. That's the argument at the center of this provocative and original book, which uses the two sides of our brains as a metaphor for understanding the contours of our times.

Being an artist, I always assumed I was more of a right-sided thinker (just because) but after reading the first few chapters I now have a better understanding of how both sides of the brain really work and I don’t think it’s all that (no pun intended here) black and white. Pink points out that there are four key differences when it comes to the brains’ hemispheres, which clarified a lot for me and perhaps are worth highlighting here:

1. The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body; the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body.

2. The left hemisphere is sequential; the right hemisphere is simultaneous.

3. The left hemisphere specializes in text; the right hemisphere specializes in context.

4. The left hemisphere analyzes details; the right hemisphere synthesizes the big picture.

The second half of the book details the six "senses" Pink identifies as crucial to success in the new economy which are design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning. Immediately following each of the six is a "portfolio" section, which offers practical advice on how to cultivate these skills within oneself.

I just finished reading about "story" (or storytelling) and started thinking a lot about the artwork I have created over the past several years. There’s often been a strong underlying narrative. It’s served a purpose in allowing me to communicate how I see the world and/or how the world and my experience of it has influenced, directed and molded me.

The work over the past year had begun to shift from a focus on the narrative and storytelling to a focus on movement through the use of color. But I realize more so now, as I am allowing time for this sabbatical, which ultimately is space that is allowing me to gain greater perspective, that the minimal use of imagery and text is not necessarily the direction I want to go in.

More about that later on. For now, this book definitely has me thinking... which is ALWAYS a good thing!

Music Monday's: Choir of Young Believers (Action/Reaction)

No video but their sound and harmony is simply delicious. Enjoy!

Malin Abrahamsson @ Sara Nightingale Gallery

If you happen to be out in the Hamptons during the month of August I recommend stopping by the Sara Nightingale Gallery. My good friend Malin Abrahamsson has a few pieces on exhibit. Below is a little blurb about the show…

Sara Nightingale Gallery/ The Apartment is pleased to present Malin Abrahamsson, In-between opening Saturday, August 8th, 5-8 p.m.

In Abrahamsson's recent work imagery of residential buildings, construction sites, factories, and razed plots of land abound, but despite the implied social concern, there are rarely people present. The work is about space: physical, architectural, interior and emotional spaces, overlapping and integrating or vying for room on the canvas. While the two triptychs on view at The Apartment stretch the concept of space, they at the same time by definition also imply separateness.

The paint has taken on a more physical quality in Abrahamsson's most recent works, allowing the paintings to become topographic records of the creative process. Thin washes are juxtaposed with thick and lumpy sections that together represent not only physical construction, but also allude to decay and the many layers of paint applied to old buildings.

The exhibition will run through Sept. 3. For more information contact Sara Nightingale at 631-793-2256.

Sara Nightingale Gallery
21 North Ferry Rd.
Shelter Island, NY 11964

Sabbatical

A sabbatical is an extended period of leave from one’s work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or engage in training. In my case, this sabbatical from my art profession is being undertaken with the intention of gaining a greater perspective about myself as an artist. It’s also about being able to engage with art outside of the one dimensional approach I often take.

Over the course of the past several years, perhaps since I graduated from art school, my relationship with art has increasingly become more and more toxic. I have used this creative talent for many things… to impress others, to feel accepted, to be validated, to feel secure in my skin, for recognition, for self-acceptance, and the list goes on and on.

I expected my art to give, give, give me whatever I wanted, whatever I needed from it. I even expected it to save me from myself at times. I have used this part of myself for so long, for so many of the wrong reasons, that I no longer know why I create the work that I do. In fact, creating new work has become such a hallow and numbing experience for me that I have avoided it at all costs.

The creative process today reminds me only of all that I have done to destroy my creative spirit. I don’t know what my creative self has to say anymore. I don’t know why I create the work I do.

Perhaps this experience is typical for other artists, maybe not, but it really doesn’t matter one way or the other. This is my experience, right here, right now, today… and I’m being honest with myself on a level I have not before.

I debated whether or not to share this online. It’s easy to let the voices within convince me that I should be ashamed, that I’m selling out, that I’m giving up, that I no longer am an artist because I’ve closed up shop and I’m no longing producing work in the traditional sense.

But the truth of the matter is that I’m taking care of this part of myself, my creative self, before there is nothing left to take care of. The time has come for an intervention. I’m facing the truth about how I abused my own gift and talent and the consequences that followed as a result of doing so.

So, the studio is almost done being packed away, all my files shredded, supplies no longer needed thrown out with the daily trash. And you know what, I don’t miss it. It’s actually been a cathartic experience for me. I’m letting go the dysfunction and opening myself up for true healing to begin.

I’m not sure how long this sabbatical is going to go on, but I’m planning it to last until the end of the year, at which point I will evaluate where I am. I’m also not placing restrictions on myself. If I feel creative one afternoon and I want to work on some art I am allowing myself to do so. I have packed everything away in a manner which makes it easily accessible for such moments of inspiration.

The underlying intention here is to simply remain open, because when we remain open to change, that is when we often grow the most.

Yes, I will still continue to write here on my blog through this process, just incase you were wondering. I’m certain the insights I have along the way will provide for some great reading.

I'll close today with a quote by Po Bronson that sort of puts all of this into perspective for me... It's not what you do that defines you nearly as much as what you overcame to get there that shapes you.

Music Monday's: Rocky Votolato (White Daisy Passing)

In The Studio (not so much)

It never happened this weekend... the work, the finished piece, any studio time for that matter. Instead, after waking up Saturday morning feeling an overwhelming sense of restlessness that was all too familiar, I decided to begin conducting a career inventory. I can't take credit for this idea... it was from Jeffrey (my partner) who really is brilliant when it comes to creating solutions.

So, I started the process and I'm still working on it... about halfway through I would estimate. To be perfectly honest, it's a bit intimidating to dig this deep, but I know the end result will be a clearer vision of what I want out of my professional life. It's also going to help me to write some clear goals, something I lack right now and in turn has left me feeling like I have no certain direction.

That's not to say that I don't have passion, but passion needs to join forces with my dreams, and dreams will not become reality without some clear goals and objectives in place.

As for this new piece that is perhaps my longest work in progress ever, well... it will get done when it gets done I guess.

Music Monday's: Fever Ray (When I Grow Up)

In The Studio

Thought I would give a little update today regarding my progress in the studio. As we all know, inspiration comes and inspiration goes... but when it’s around like it was the last few days I try to harness it as best I can. I’m very close to completion regarding this new piece, which represents a shift in the way I approach collage. I would describe it as being more traditional, as I’m only working with paper now and I’m bringing back elements which dominated my earlier work... imagery and text.

I started to move away from these elements early last year, with the focus becoming primarily on color fields and movement, but to me the work was beginning to lack depth. There has always been an underlying narrative, which has played a vital role, not just in my relationship with the work but I believe also for the viewer.

Because I’m in new territory right now I find that I’m exploring more so along the process, trying to find what works and what doesn’t...

...how far can I push the oval shape and how much should I leave it in it’s original form?

...how much should the oval dominate the work and can it exist in a deconstructed way and still have a presence?

...does the oval need to continue to be the focus of my work or can I start exploring other shapes?

I definitely believe that I will continue to explore and push the boundaries here. It’s time to move on and it’s evident that this is the right path for me right now because I can see it in the work.

Expect to have this piece completed by next weekend and I’ll post it here as well as on my website. Until then, the above photo is a sneak peek of the work in progress.