43things TEAM PROJECT: support fellow artists in their artistic projects

As some as you have noticed, I dropped off the face of 43things for the past couple of weeks. Between the art show, work, family, and a whole new circle of friends…it’s been pretty busy, but definitely good times.

The art show was absolutely amazing. It was the first time in close to five years that I found like minded artists to converse with since moving away from my hometown. While I’ve tried to reach out before, it just wasn’t the type of artists that I like to hang out with. Essentially, they were the type that give artists a bad rap if you know what I mean (i.e. the snooty ones).

So since then, my calendar has been filling up and in some cases, I wasn’t able to make it out to different events because my schedule has gotten so booked. So yes, I did miss seeing the art show that had bands at a tatoo parlor of all places. :)

And of all places, I’m finding out that myspace is the way to stay in the loop of the local art scene at least for my area. Before, I would spend half a day searching different sources…now, I’ve got friends that post bulletins of their next art event to see. So as they sometimes say, it’s who you know, I guess.

Outside of the whole conversing with fellow artists and attending different art events, I haven’t really had any time to be creative. But I think that as an artist, it’s not all about producing. Connecting with fellow artists, being exposed to different styles of art…these are also important facets to nurture and foster creativity. So I’m sure in the upcoming weeks, I’ll be back at the drawing board. ; )

I hate drawing. Something about it scares me. The thing is I can draw. I’ve done it in the past with skill. I just advoid it with a passion. Yet I know as an artist I need to practice my drawing skills since it’s one of the basics of being a visual artist.

And if you’re curious as for my pastel sketches, I typically find ways around using any drawing pencils unless I need a little bit of detail at the end. Most of them are created in layers using the pastel sticks. While in essence, I do have to “draw” to build up my pieces, I don’t think of it in those terms.

Part of the mental block with drawing I think comes from the idea that it takes focus, it takes work. And when I’m creating with my soft pastels, to me it’s not work. It’s free flowing creativity being let loose.

maybe someone out there understands what I’m trying to say. maybe not…us artist types can be difficult to understand to outsiders sometimes I think.

But I think it might be good to create a goal to maybe get into the habit of creating one drawing a night. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. It doesn’t have to be anything large or grand. Just something to get me into the habit and maybe break this mental block so I can continue to develop my skills as an artist.

As it stands, I have one book on drawing ideas from a sketchbook perspective. I also had my eye on another last night at the bookstore. It look like it just came out, but for the life of me I don’t recall the title. And the funny part is that when I was reading this new book on drawing, it was all about helping you get over the mental block. It had exercise idea after exercise idea of how to make drawing part of your everyday life. As an example, it said draw your coffee maker while you wait for it to make coffee. Skip a tv show and make a couple drawings. etc…

Well, I need to quit ranting, I’m meeting some artisty folks today about potentially my second artist showing. I’m a bit excited so I need to gather my list of questions, and gather a couple pieces to bring.

On another team, I’m commited to creating a soft pastel sketch by the end of this weekend, but it has honestly been months since I last got any of my art supplies out so tonight I drew my mood. It’s a bit dark at the moment you would say…but that’s just part of life I guess.

here’s the basic outline of the online art support group:

a) a place where artists can share their progress in art making or even lack there of

b) a place where artists can share their latest creations and receive feedback

c) a place to seek and share support as an artist

If you’re interested in joining, just leave me a comment.