Tag Archives: Abstract art

Jun22

How I Get My Ideas…

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Most of the time our creative juices flow easily. However every once in a while we all come to a screeching halt, and we haven’t any ideas. There isn’t anything worse than being stuck without a clue as to how to get creative again.

Sometimes I paint rocks as houses, flowers, faces, or even bugs. My favorite is a ladybug. Our garden is filled with ladybugs, flowers, faces, even one curled up milk snake. I know it sounds crazy, but it usually helps to open up the bottle neck, and let the creativity flow once again.

Since I get emails from Bob Burridge frequently, I thought I’d post one. This particular video started me thinking about my childhood, and how far back I could go. What part of my childhood would I want to bring forward onto a canvas. As I thought about it, I started remembering holding class and teaching all my stuffed animals math, and reading. Or dressing up in my mother’s shoes, and hats with gloves. Maybe even birthday parties, or my “16” birthday party.

What ever I choose, there are always options to make a series from them. Even if you have to pull out your creative license. After all, this is the same as writing a story, just with paint!

When I watched the latest video Bob Burridge posted It got me thinking about all this, and I thought maybe it would help all of you as well.  I hope I’m right.

Thank you for taking time to read Stone Soup,  see you next time….

Jun19

Winding Up The Week!

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My weeks are filled with all kinds of fun things including painting classes.  Every couple of weeks I am lucky enough to be able to take time for Richard Hawks classes.  Richard has slowly pushed me to a new level of art.  Is it perfect….NO.  I don’t do perfect, and Richard doesn’t like perfect either.  He is an abstract painter who has been of great benefit to me as an artist.  Certainly I was stuck in a stale, stagnate, rut when I decided to take his abstract workshop.  Here all these months later, I’m doing things I never thought of, and still being pushed to do more.  Where am I going to end up?  It doesn’t matter to me because I know wherever it is, it’s more than I could have accomplished by myself.

Timing is everything don’t you agree?  Since I was part of the abstract workshop, I joined another workshop, Oil on Copper!   Well I really didn’t think I was going to like it because I didn’t want to have to buy Copper or Oil paint.  But there is so much more needed for this process, I couldn’t conceive of myself wanting to create this way.

Surprise  I loved it all,  I ate it up like a little kid with a chocolate sunday.  Now I don’t want to do anything else but paint on copper with oil paint.   So little by little I’m purchasing the supplies I need for this type of art.  My studio is already stuffed with supplies in watercolor, and acrylic.  Not only am I looking for more oil, I’m looking for all the things that go with painting on copper in this manner.   It must be my lucky day,  I love to learn new things.

I’m sure there are all kinds of ways artists paint on copper, this method is different.   That must by my hook! Once again Richard Hawk does a great workshop.

There is going to be another Abstract Workshop, and because it has helped me so much I have posted the information for those of you who might be interested. While I’m here I want all of you to know that the painting I posted is a Richard Hawk painting. I’d love to tell you it was mine, maybe next time!

‘Workshop: Beyond Belief  III’ • Encinitas, California

A meditative, consciousness-exploring workshop based in painting.

Dates and time
July 20, 21 & 22 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) 2018
10 AM to 3:30 PM

Cost
$330 for three days

Over the years I’ve had many conversations with artists/students about the metaphysical aspect of painting. The place where the physical and psychological acts of painting meet the purely energetic, the spiritual, even. There is no question that there is something about art that is ‘beyond’ – that is why we make art and why we look at it. But exactly what is going on here? There is no doubt that it has to do in part with the ‘belief’ system of the artist – and the viewer.

A workshop aimed at the center which is not in the middle. The light which casts no shadow.

Together we will explore the deliberate, intentional pursuit of the non-physical in the creative process. We’ll have some bust-out conversations spurred by readings from the likes Wayne Dyer, Thich Nhat Hanh, Kahlil Gibran, Mary Lou Cook, Rumi and Robert Pirsig. This will be the third in the series for this exciting and uplifting workshop experience.

Note that just because we are expressing freely and intuitively in paint it does not mean that we abandon principles of good design, attention to shapes, edges, values, color, line, pattern and all the other tenets of success in painting. Far from it. Inspired work happens within form. There is plenty of attention to practical technique and practices. There will be painting demonstration each day (if the group desires it).

Call 760.504.4015 or write to me using the form at the bottom of the page and receive a call or email to complete your registration and get instructions. Questions? Please use the same form or call.

Catered

The mid-day meal each day will be catered (organic vegetarian) so that our creative involvement can be as continuous as possible.

• The workshop is small by design. If you’re interested, please don’t delay • Bring objects of or images of personal meaning that you can use for your paintings • Observe painting demonstrations • Learn new ways forward on your own creative path • Enjoy the collective spirit of like-minded creatives

To Sign Up
Simply send a message using the form at the bottom of the page or call 760.504.4015 and you will receive an email or call back for registration and instructions. I look forward to painting with you.

Thank you for taking time to read Karen’s Stone Soup, see you next time…
May18

Sketching Each Day!

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Abstract Iris

Simple?  Yes!  But each thing we do counts even if it’s so incredibly simple.  There are some days that we aren’t feeling especially creative, but we need to do something.  This was one of those days.

As I sat with my Diva Sisters wanting to do something, but not feeling very creative, I pulled out my iPad and did a little sketch of an Orchid that had been a gift.  Somehow, I hit a key that colored the picture, and this is the end result.  I liked it, so I saved it.  It’s a reminder of how simple things can be at a time when things are a little overwhelming.

Thanks for checking in on Stone Soup.  Always feel free to leave a message, and let me know what you are thinking.

Apr14

Nothing Is Off The Table…

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I Love Hats!

Experimentation is the way we grow.  For me, if I’m not trying new things, I’m stagnant.  Many times I’ve been bottled up, afraid of I’m not sure what.  Or maybe not afraid, but rather uninspired.  That is a terrible place for anyone to be in.

We cannot have a lack of inspiration  in our enviroment if we want to survive!

Lately I’ve been experimenting constantly.  Each day I spend time either sketching, or painting.  I’m having so much fun with color, line, crayons, pens, and just about anything I can think of to play with.

 

When my grandson, Connor was about three, He would come over and pick out the longest paintbrush, and sit down to paint.  Later I’d find blue (his favorite color at the time) watercolor paint all over everything.  He had so much fun, and I’d have fun watching him let loose and paint big puddles of blue on the paper.  I always work at emulating his little three-year old person letting go.  Now when I experiment, I pretend I’m three-year old Karen just letting go and having fun.  It’s amazing how free that lets you feel.

These are all paintings I did while experimenting.  It hasn’t stopped and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Thank you for being here to check out Stone Soup.  See you soon!

Feb9

Perfectionism…..

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Take it, or leave it?   That is the question.

The number one thing that stops an artist or anyone else in their tracks. It is wonderful to do your best, and work hard at it. Some things require it! But repetition is something that will help overcome a persons inability to do our best. An artist for instance, in my opinion will create more interesting art if it comes from the heart, without the fear of painting a piece we think will not measure up.

I work very hard at ignoring what others think, knowing not everyone will like or appreciate my kind of art.  That’s ok, we aren’t all alike, and it doesn’t matter.  You can’t please everyone!

I thought this might help some of you to hear it from a different source….not me actually, and definitely not your mother!  Have fun creating whatever kind of creating you do.

Thank you for stopping to visit Stone Soup,  see you next time.