Reflections « Jennie’s Palette

Archive for the 'Reflections' Category

Mar

Seclusion

By Jennie 0 Comments

Categories: Creating Art and Reflections

Cocoon,
by Jennie

Sorry I haven’t been posting as much lately, I seem to be going through one of my periodic antisocial phases when I hide away from the world. I liken these phases to being in a cocoon because my art focus triples and usually I come out of it with something I didn’t have before- a belief, a technique, new ideas, new ways of looking.. It isn’t something I can force, if I try I lose whatever it was I was trying to gain- like a soap bubble.

I think that over the past couple of months I have been trying to force it. to push through with my usual bullheaded workaholic tendencies. I have been pushing out paintings before their time has come in response to some inane clock ticking away in my head. I think that is why my latest pieces have been very mediocre - I need to work on their timetable, not mine.

Mar

Abstract Shapes or Abstract Ideas?

By Jennie 0 Comments

Categories: Reflections

Picture 1,
by noInfluenceArt

noinfluenceArt — Like the title portrays, this program shows you art without any influence,
its just random.
Its Computer Generated Art, Why dont you see what your mac can draw?

Computers do a great job of drawing without any outside influences.
Made to inspire artists to think outside the box.
noinfluenceArt 1.0 - MacUpdate:

I have fallen in love with this toy. as an inspirational tool it is very interesting but also in terms of art influence it is fascinating.

noInfluenceArt was made with the idea to inspire artists. I certainly do find it inspiring, the shapes work in a similar way to a rorschach test creating an image in the mind rather than on the screen.

but does it make a comment on art creation as well? on modern art consciously created from abstract shapes versus the random creations of a computer? I hazard a guess to say both. like the way a rorschach works these seemingly random creations draw something from our minds and we assign a meaning, a form, a function. Abstract art and software like this frequently rely on mathematical constructs that we process automatically, like a complex piece of music.

Of course there will always be some people who look at modern art and see random shapes, just as they may see it in this software, but people who are rich in imagination and experience will draw something from both. and that still remains my personal definition of art.

Tags: abstract, Art, artist, musing, philosophy

Mar

Cycles

By Jennie 0 Comments

Categories: Creating Art and Reflections

Sketch,
by Jennie

I seem to be in a loop of trying to get motivated to do anything and sketching franticly, putting in marathon efforts. I tend to be a fairly sporadic person as it is, but it seems to have spun into a very strong cycle of creation and recovering from said creation. All I seem to be creating are ideas, I don’t have the energy to commit to anything finished but I am so excited by the ideas that are emerging. my work seems to be evolving, gaining in complexity and emotive content. it’s a bizarre time but I guess I have to ride out these waves until it calms down and wait to see what emerges from the storm. it’s exciting and terrifying at the same time.

Tags: artist, creating art, inspiring

Mar

Stressing..

By Jennie 0 Comments

Categories: Creating Art and Reflections

quick sketch,
by jennie

I’m feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment, at times I find it very hard to get enthused about anything. I feel itchy inside but not able to focus on anything. I have a lot to do but I don’t feel a pull towards anything so I end up doing little aimless bits to no good end.

Usually when I feel like this there is something at the root of it. I can’t focus because my brain wants to get something out. I think it is, as usual, something artistic in nature. I have so many ideas but I seem to have a problem realizing them as paintings. I just don’t like any of the paintings I have done lately - they aren’t working they way I want them to. I don’t know if it is overthinking, underthinking, or putting too much pressure on myself. probably the last, I always put pressure on. every work must be better than the last, every work needs to have relevance, and be striking, it must be inspired and perfect.

I think that is the reason I am drawing so much at the moment, drawing doesn’t need to be perfect. it is immediate, fun and relaxing.

Tags: Art, artist, creating art, musing, nudes

Mar

Risk Taking

By Jennie 0 Comments

Categories: Reflections

preliminary sketch,
by Jennie

It is an inevitable part of an artists life, facing rejection. I’m stepping up my game this year and really going for it. It’s a crazy, busy time - I’m learning a lot about my pieces and how to relate to galleries, curators and generally the business side of things. I’m taking the risks that I have to take to lift my career to the next level which is exciting and scary all at once.

Because art is such a subjective thing it is a fact that not everyone will love it. It is also a fact that any form of rejection is going to feel, in some way, personal. I am proud of the fact that I am handling rejection better and better. It helps that I have had more successes than failures, and wonderful support from everyone - including you all!

It turns out that it isn’t that scary sticking my neck out anymore. they aren’t rejecting me, and not one single committee has come back saying “oh my god your work sucks!” in fact, the more I submit the more I learn about myself and the more I believe in my work. I still have my moments, but I find it easier each and every time to stick my neck back out. after all, without the risks I can’t gain the kind of career I want. I find I am not scared of success anymore and, well, only a little scared of failure… if we leave the lights on..

Tags: Art, musing, rejection

Jan

It Bugs Me

By Jennie 1 Comment

Categories: Jennie's News and Reflections

Caress
36" X 36"
Oils on Canvas,
by Jennie

I’m sorry I am not my usual vociferous self, I am working on building my physical strength up, trying to get over the Bug That Will Not Die. The problem is that the Bug comes back if I work too hard so I have a pattern of feeling sick, resting, working furiously as soon as I can and getting sick again - it is frustrating. Not only that, but as I am working with greater complexity and inspiration, I am terrified that if I think about it too much, or blog about it, the bubble might burst!

Tags: Art, artist

Jan

Fear

By Jennie 0 Comments

Categories: Nudes and Reflections

nude study sketch, by Jennie

A funny thing happened sometime last year when I wasn’t looking. In between preparing for shows and working on marketing Something happened when I least expected it. The barriers came down. I stopped being afraid to paint different things, to try a new aspect. Subjects that thwarted me again and again randomly started coming easily - like hair, flowers and so much more.

I think at some point I decided not to be afraid of the places I wanted to go with my art - both career-wise and technique-wise. I opened up the possibilities I had never hoped to explore. I put away my reference photos and started working from my head. I put away the things I was hiding behind and I think I am finally beginning to trust in my ability as an artist.

The other night I drew this while waiting for some paint to dry (it’s better than watching it!). I had a pose in my brain and rather than dismiss it as too hard without a model or photograph I just stepped up to my easel and created what was in my head. I am obscurely quite proud of this quick sketch, When I stepped back and “saw” it I couldn’t believe it was something I did.

Tags: Art, artist, nudes

Jan

Nude Years Goals

By Jennie 2 Comments

Categories: Jennie's News and Reflections

Stretch II, by Jennie

I have taken some time this week to really sit down and think about what I want to achieve this year. Last year was pivotal for re-discovering my self, for branching out in my work and for making an excellent start on my career. This year I wish to make solid goals and strive to attain them. rather than setting vague resolutions, I am going to write them here, then revisit them in 6 months, then 12 months. My aim is that by blogging them here, I am accountable for maintaining them. Some may seem silly to you, but sometimes the small stuff counts the most.

The art side

I will create at least one work a week (total 52 for the year) Each piece will be blogged.
By the end of this year I will have gallery representation.
This year I will have a solo show, I may have more group ones.
I will experiment and grow as an artist. I will not be constrained by any pre-conceived notions.
I will take pride in my work and believe in it.
I will update and maintain a database of my works, media, dimensions, a blurb about each one and it’s price. when it sells I will mark it with the details of the person who bought each work.
I will continue to maintain my website, blog and resume. I have been good so far, now is not the time to let it slip!
I will have lovely kits ready to send out and an excellent and professional portfolio.
I will try to be more outgoing at openings and occasions.
I will keep building my mailing list - My goal is for 200 at the end of the year.
I will write newsletters to justify my mailing list.
I will maintain the bloody thing even with postal addresses.
I will continue to keep records of earnings and receipts so I can do my taxes properly.
I will blog at least once a day, 5 days a week. weekends I will allow myself a break.
My sales goal this year is 20 pieces.

The personal side

I will stop judging myself so harshly and stop beating up on myself.
I will stop changing the goalposts.
I will try to conquer my phone phobia.
I will not let my conditions dictate who I am.
I will stop sitting at home and start getting out and enjoying life more.
I will work to make my condition as easy to manage as possible.
I will try to eat at least 2 meals a day - when I can do that I will move up to 3. by the end of the year I will be eating 3 healthy meals a day plus snacks.
I will cook more, with healthy and delicious meals and tasty snacks. One night a week will be takeout night for a break.
I will learn to save money and actually do it.
I will make more time for fun.
I will get health insurance.

Well, there it is, quite a list - I hope I am up for it!

Tags: artist, blogging, creating art

Dec

Happy Holidays Everyone!

By Jennie 1 Comment

Categories: Reflections

Happy Holidays!

I hope your holiday season is rich and joyous with good food and company and lots of laughter. Thankyou to all the people who have supported me through a most interesting year - I love you all.

Huge hugs!

Dec

Baring All

By Jennie 18 Comments

Categories: Reflections

Ecstasy, by Jennie

This week I have received many correspondences regarding celebrating the achievements of this year and looking ahead to next year. Darren Rowse at Problogger has also started a group writing project on the subject which is serendipitous. I don’t tend to celebrate achievements enough, I usually berate myself on lost opportunities and change the goalposts at random. So now I am baring all and looking at the year in review.

My career
This year has seen massive growth in my fledgling art career. I have sold 16 paintings with several going to international buyers, painted many many paintings, had two shows and participated in several exhibitions including one in New York.

While not going into the figures here, I have managed to cover my expenses (materials, shows etc) with a reasonable profit, something, I have been told, that is very rare for emerging artists.

I have met a lot of great people online and have made some fantastic connections with organizations such as Sculptr and Barebrush.

Blogging
My blog has exploded, gaining valuable readers and many fascinating comments, I haven’t been able to reply to as many as I’d like, but I am delighted with the exposure my work and writings are gaining. My writing has improved, and I am enjoying finding interesting stories to post about and reading the reactions to my works.

Since moving to wordpress I have had a phenomenal amount of visitors and far better exposure, I finally got my domain name, blogging software and a great blog that works beautifully.

My Self
I assigned this year as the one to get on with my life. I have slowly built my strength up, allowing greater endurance and less pain. I am regaining my independance and am re-discovering my self, reclaiming my body from the injury.

Mentally, it has been a tough year, but I am stronger as a result and I have finally started gaining self esteem and confidence. I feel as if I am a whole person again, Someone I haven’t seen for a long time.

Next year
I think of this year as laying the foundations for my future. It was hard, probably harder that I would have ever thought, but by doing this work I think next year is going to be amazing. It is still going to be hard, I am working in a tough industry, but I feel that I have the ability now to push on and build on what I did this year.

Tags: blog project, blogging, musing, problogger, review