In the last few months, I realize that I am looking for more inspiration in my art work. I feel the need to break out of existing patterns – how I approach a painting, what subject matter I am drawn to, how I decide to attack it. In the past I have found it so difficult to change my style of applying paint to a surface, that I thought I never could.
Am I bored with what I have been doing? Not exactly. But an urgency is missing. I do feel the need for a re-fresh. To challenge myself in this new year of the dragon, 2024.
So, I have been doing a few different things to try and address this.
• I am looking at the work of other artists for inspiration to reengage with art that is exciting.
• I am going out of my way to work out of my comfort zone.
• I am experimenting with new materials.
• I signed up for a workshop that goes back to the basics and encourages you to ask yourself questions.
Already I can feel that change coming.
Here is a quote about the process of change from Donna Young, a fine artist I admire:
“After so many years of realistic painting, I have gradually been moving into more a contemporary style. I found it to be simply a matter of giving myself permission to unlearn my past ways of seeing and interpreting. ‘Permission’ may not be the best term, nonetheless, allowing myself to struggle and fall as long as I got up again. It is this act that gives me the nod of inspiration to explore farther. I want to reconnect with what truly ignites me and what truly deserves to stay in my life. “