50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR BLOCK
Creativity takes courage~Henri Matisse
I’m not necessarily having a block, but I have had some issues with my health and my family’s health that have gotten me off track. When you are forced to take a break, it is a good time to evaluate where you have been and where you are going. It might be a good time to be open to change as well. Things seem to be better now all the way around and reading books have been a great way for me to unblock my blocks, and get inspired. One of the books I recently read that has been very helpful is “Get Unstuck Creative Block Discover New Ideas”, produced by Danielle Krysa.
Inspired by her book and adding most of my own ideas, I created a list of ways to help you unblock your blocks.
- Find inspiration from old books and magazines.
- Use reference photos, combine and mix them
- Go to art museums
- Listen to music
- Take something you would throw away and recreate it
- Pick a day to fail completely.
- Clean your art studio.
- Use a medium you never used.
- Use a tool you would never use.
- Use a feather, a sponge, and a stick, to draw or create with.
- Take a break
- Take a walk
- Google it, Google it deeper. Go on a “Google Journey”.
- Pick out your favorite paintings and art on Pinterest.
- Take photos with your phone. I enjoy using Hipstamatic and love trying their different lenses and film.
- Create with restrictions; limited pallet, limited subject matter, size or scale.
- Visit galleries
- Break your own rules.
- Give your critic permission to take a vacation
- Daydream
- Teach
- Take a common everyday item and make it into something else.
- Make your art into a “verb” not a “noun”. In other words enjoy the process, don’t focus on the end solution.
- Read creative art blogs.
- Do something random
- Work fast
- Do something wrong
- Doodle
- Use the IPad for drawing.
- Use reference photos from Flickr (be sure to ask for permission if not for personal use.)
- Dance
- Go somewhere you have never been before.
- Stop thinking, just play
- Watch a TED talk
- Watch a Youtube video on a new medium, how to etc.
- Watch a movie
- Give yourself a deadline to go back to work
- Go on an artist date
- Have goals and commitments
- Pick a theme you are interested and create a show around it.
- Ask yourself better questions? “How can I?” Is usually a good start?
- Don’t worry about what people think.
- Be ready when inspiration calls.
- Go to the library
- Keep a binder of ideas for times when you are lacking inspiration
- Push through it
- Do what you fear the most
- Use a timer, commit to being in the studio for 10 minutes.
- Read “War Of Art” by Steven Pressfield
- Don't wait for inspiration just "WORK"
I hoped you enjoyed these ideas. Please feel free to add what your favorite ways are to get back into the studio to create.
Silicon Valley Open Studio
I will be participating in the Silicon Valley Open Studios this year. This is Silicon Valley's 29th year of participation and my 3rd. It has been a while since I have participated in open studio, but am really looking forward to seeing you in person. You will be able to see my latest work and be able to enter my studio. I will be glad to show you how my ideas are inspired, as well as the materials I use.
Please save the date and come visit me May 16th and or 17th, between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location is 18385 Castle Hill Dr. Morgan Hill, CA. There will be beverages and treats, as well as, a display of my art.
Bring the coupon below and receive 10% off all of my art for sale displayed. Coupon only valid for those dates.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE LINEAGE?
"Context begins with other artists-seniors and mentors."~Kenneth Noland
This is part II, a continuation of the thoughts from “Steal Like an Artist, by Austin Kleon. Past artists, teachers and mentors have influenced us all. As Austin Kleon says, “nothing comes from nowhere…nothing is completely original.” He advises that we look further in-depth of who inspired us and how they have influenced us.
Looking back at my influences, I do remember it started at a young age. Picasso was my first influencer, at seven, and I'm sure I didn't know who he was. I was attracted to one of my father's album covers that featured a one-eyed painting of Picasso's. This led me to draw portraits missing one eye for many years, up to and throughout high school. I tended to have an African influence in my drawings, of which through my research I found that Picasso was also influenced by an African statue Matisse gave him. Below is an African motif sculpture I created in 7th Grade.
Gauguin’s influence is also seen in my paintings; not only the color use, but also the flat planes and underlying abstract form. Matisse was always one of my favorites, reflecting the importance of design, color and flat shapes in my work. Wolf Kahn’s influence continues with my fearless love of color. As an added note, Matisse also influenced Wolf Kahn’s expressionistic use of pure color. My desire, like Kahn, is to create a unique use of color.
Then there are the artists that others believe you are similar to. Many see a connection to Edward Hopper. Although I have admired his work, I never thought he was a great influence of mine, but on doing some research I discovered similarities in our loves and life. Hopper’s love of movies, Film Noire, bringing the theatrics in his scenes, his contrast of light and darks, and the theme of life still goes on, perhaps can be seen in my figurative pieces. My past teachers have also seen similarities in my work to Cezanne and Edvard Munch. Neither have I felt were my influencers.
What I have found is that in my research there are amazing overlaps. The artists that I admire have had some connection to the same artists that I am influenced by; “no man is an island”.
I realize that I am not only identifying with the artist, but also the technique. This became more evident as I saw the techniques repeated in many artists that I love. My desire now is to enhance these characteristics in future work giving me a future goal and direction.
This is a great exercise to not only help you understand where you have been, but where you are going.
Who were your biggest influences? Who is in your artistic lineage?
** "Pond of Good Fortune" 36″ x 36″, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, Price $3240, If you would like to purchase this painting please contact me at jvander51@msn.com or call (408)460-7237 Thank you!
"There Is Nothing New Just Stolen"
"What is originality? Undetected plagiarism." William Ralph Inge
Artists pride themselves on their artistic voice. We would like to feel our work stands out in the crowd. Hearing that my art is identifiably a "Vanderhoof" is the highest compliment I can receive.
Austin Kleon, author of "Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative", believes that "nothing is original; nothing comes from nowhere"... He states our surroundings and other creators have influenced our artistic endeavors.
Kleon believes that the secret to being creative is to learn how to steal ideas creatively from others. He doesn't want us to steal the style, but steal the thinking behind the style. He advises artists to take from the best and "remix it". You don't want to imitate or "rip off", but you want to transform the ideas you have discovered and create a new version.
Deciding to take Austin's idea further, I spent the last month investigating my favorite artists and their mentors. It was quite a discovery that I plan on sharing in my next post.
Why not study your artists you love and study them deeply? From where have you stolen your best ideas?
*Please contact me by email @jvander51@msn.com or phone (408)460-7237 for any inquires, on original art or commissions requests. Thank you!
2K14 Art Marketing Tips
Success is neither magical or mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.~Jim Rohn
Art 2K14 was my third art challenge in a row. I am still learning about myself, my art and the business of marketing as I complete each challenge. My focus was to continue to paint 15,000 to 20,000 square inches for the year, but my biggest focus and challenge was to market and sell more art. It turned out to be a very successful year. In fact, my 2K14 sales was 4 x's the amount that I sold the first challenge, as I consecutively doubled each year. I would like to share some of the things I learned this year and perhaps you can tell me what worked for you this year.
If you don’t make your art public and available for your customers to see your sales will be random.
Out of site out of mind.
Not every venue is the best venue for your work.
You need to know who your customers are.
The more you try different venues, restaurants, country clubs, wineries, galleries, etc. the easier it will be to find out what is more effective and productive for sales.
Build a relationship with your customers and reward them for being your customers.
Great customers love your work and are great promoters of your work, use it to your benefit and their benefit.
Brainstorm and be creative with new ideas and venues for your art.
If a venue was very successful, try to line up the next year with duplicate venue that can either be the same or evolve into something bigger.
It's important that your art is sold by people who love your work.
Keep in contact with your customers, through newsletters, email, snail mail or visits; let them know what you are up to.
Remember your customer’s taste. When you paint something you know they would like, personally contact them and give them first choice.
Make sure you know what your dollar goal is for the year. Keep track of your sales monthly, to figure out your pace for the year.
If you succeed your goal, please keep up the momentum and take advantage of the sales.
Sales come in spurts.
Always be building inventory because without inventory there is no sales.
Have a variety of art to fit all your customer’s needs.
Make sure you save enough of your money from your sales to cover your supplies and extra costs.
Be willing to invest in high quality materials, including framing; your customers will notice.
And lastly, if you start becoming really successful, don’t sabotage yourself. You deserve your success, because you worked hard for it. Keep up the momentum.
*15,000 square inches completed for 2K14
** "Lost Horizon" 36" x 36", acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, Price $3240, If you would like to purchase this painting please contact me at jvander51@msn.com or call (408)460-7237 Thank you!