The Joy Of Creativity

It has recently occurred to me that when painting there is a loss of self.  You know that saying “I Get Lost” when that happens!  It is such a place of joy and peace.  The other quintessential saying “I lose track of time” when I am doing this or that.  It is truly the joy of Creativity that is happening.

If you are finding yourself stressing out frequently I highly recommend doing something creative.  It is actually a divine practice.  Getting lost in the unknown is even better.  Creating and experimentation is the double whammy.  Since the beginning of Covid, I started a new venture into the “Unknown” of non objective painting.  In other words, I step up to the canvas without research, references, ideas, no planning and just “PLAY”!

It is the most freeing feeling that has ever happened in the painting process for me.  Beginning with only color and a brush with bold and flamboyant strokes, the canvas is filled with color and texture that is often only created with eyes closed.  Imagine the fun you could have.

After drying, it is fun to draw with crayons, pencils, charcoal, pastels, all kinds of graphics will do.  Play, play, and more play!  Then if that isn’t enough, the collaging  begins!  Colorful, sometimes transparent papers with words, designs colors that contrast or harmonize with the colors that  are placed on the canvas randomly!

If you have studied composition then you know that the viewers eyes need to be drawn into a “sweet spot” on your canvas.  Look up the https://www.mos.org/leonardo/activities/golden-ratiogolden mean and you will get it immediately.  Watch a movie and see how the director moves the focal point around the screen.  It is fascinating and a great learning process if you are concentrating on the concept.

Now the fun begins and actually the design process to create the composition.  Here is a little video that takes you through a few of the steps of a past painting of mine.  Enjoy, and if you are interested in seeing more of this collection click here