This Is An Exciting Time
November was a fantastic month! Why? Because I finally was able to see you in person. I had a wonderful Open Studio November 6-7th. This was Morgan Hill’s first Open Studio featuring 40 plus artists from Morgan Hill and Gilroy, CA. It was a great success.
Time Travel 36″ X 36″
Time Travel 36″ X 36″
I am sure you recall when I wrote about completing 120 abstract paintings, starting on November 2019 and ending March 2020. (Source: One Hundred and Twenty Abstracts) The goal for creating these were to become familiar with abstraction. Little did I know that this would be a catalyst for another successful and productive time for me. In January 2021, I decided to take twelve of the best studies from the 120 abstracts and enlarge them to 36” x 36”. The series is called Twelve of Twelve (Source: Evolution Of An Artist Series) All Twelve paintings were produced on Arches oil paper with Cold Wax and oil, plus mixed media.
I am excited to say that I completed the Twelve of Twelve series on September 14th. It is with great satisfaction, that not only did I complete this challenging project, but that they also came out beautifully. They are now being mounted on 1-1/2” cradled panels for my upcoming shows.
Open Studio Event
I am having an Open Studio in my home, November 6th and 7th between 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. You are all invited. The second show will be by invitation only at Cordevalle Country Club, Saturday, December 4th. If you are serious about finding a piece for your home, please let me know if you would like to go to the latter.
As I mentioned, this goal put me in a mode of productivity. I decided to redo my website entirely. With lots of help, I do believe that I now have a website that has fulfilled my dreams. I hope that you find it as amazing as I do. I would love for you to subscribe to my website for future notifications and information.
My next blog will be a notification on how to win a free painting or two, if you subscribe to my website. More will be announced in the next week or two. All subscribers old and new will have a chance to win.
I would love to see you at my Open Studio, I hopefully will have time to do a demo. You will also be able see and purchase many new creations.
Contact me personally on my website, and I will send you physical invitation. Thank you!
Evolution Of An Artist Series
Who knew that my desire to learn more about mark making and abstraction would take me on another journey? From November 2019 to March 2020, I created 120 small cold wax studies on arches oil paper. The studies allowed me to grow quickly, and began to influence my style when painting figures and landscapes. I noticed that I was enjoying creating freely and channeling my authentic self. I was discovering my power of imagination and allowing my spirit to enter the expression.
I kept the studies tucked away for nine months, wondering what to do with them. What was my next step? I knew that this journey and exploration needed to continue. Even though the paintings are small, averaging 6” x 6”, they still lent themselves to a larger scale. I decided to select 12 studies to enlarge to 36” x 36”. Going deeper allows me to explore the possibilities and create a series that not only brings me joy, but also creates a cohesive body of work.
The collection will have a common theme:
- Using cold wax medium and mixed media
- Substrate Arches oil paper
- All squares
- Abstraction
- All the same size 36” x 36”
- High chroma
- Subconscious exploration
The painting above is the first of my new series called Tis-sa-ack. In creating the larger piece, the water element became more apparent, something I didn’t notice in the smaller one. My husband mentioned that it looked like Half Dome in Yosemite. I also got the same feeling, even though I was not trying to make the painting literal in any way. The long blue shape to the left created the energy of a waterfall. Thus, the name Tis-sa-ack (crying girl in Native American Paiute language), is the original name for Half Dome, which is the name of a mother from a native legend.
Creating a series allows the artist to evolve and grow. I found that the process allows me to reveal my subconscious emotions in a visual way. As I explore the series, more ideas will come up and allow me to push the series and my ability to a higher level.
I would love to hear of your experiences in creating a series.
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.
I Got Rhythm
Rhythm is as necessary in a picture as pigment; it is as much a part of painting as music.~Walter J. Phillips
My father loved music. He always had the latest albums and the latest contraptions to play them on. My love of music began at 3 years old in Alaska. Army pals would drop by for the latest songs produced from my father's homemade Hi-Fi and find me doing my scarf dance to the repetitive beat. I have to laugh, yet was this the moment I discovered rhythm?
Rhythm is one of the elements of composition in art. How important is rhythm in composition? I believe it’s the soul of the painting. It has the beat just like music. It’s where the viewer senses the feeling the pulse. It’s a repetition yet with slight variations of pattern. Each painting stroke is as a note in music; unified yet unique.
Pattern and repetition are essential to rhythm. You may discover repetition of shapes or color that create a pattern. But, there has to be a slight variation to prevent monotony. As my teacher would say “Nature never repeats itself”.
Rhythm is the harmony or dissonance in the painting. It can create tension or relaxation, sadness or, thoughtfulness, joy or excitement. It is the vibe of the painting.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G7UIeYGq0k[/youtube]
Do you "Got Rhythm"?
Painting above: "I Got Rhythm", 36" x 36" acrylic on museum wrapped canvas, price $3240
*ART20K footage completed 16,374 square inches
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!