Episode 64: Changing Directions




The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell show

Summary: <p>The creative journey is never a straight path and all artists go through<br> times of change in their work. These are necessary but can also be frustrating and<br> painful as you head into the unknown. Today we’re going to talk about times of<br> change in your work and some of the challenges that artists face, including the<br> experiences of one Chicago painter who has shared her struggle with Rebecca.</p> <p><a href="http://www.joangearystudio.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.joangearystudio.com/</a><br> <a href="http://www.rebeccacrowell.com" rel="nofollow">www.rebeccacrowell.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.squeegeepress.com" rel="nofollow">www.squeegeepress.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast" rel="nofollow">www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast</a></p> <p>Notes:</p> <p>“Nothing is constant but change”—good mantra for those of us in creative fields</p> <p>Change is holistic—affects your work, and how you view it, your market, your<br> opportunities.</p> <p>Relates to previous podcast about blocks, which can be related to resisting change</p> <p>Necessity of change for growth, keeping ideas fresh, avoiding repetition and<br> boredom—as artists we recognize this need and yet may shy away out of concern<br> for other’s reactions—galleries, collectors, our own circle of family and friends</p> <p>I see it in workshops—the urge to move into abstraction –takes time</p> <p>Shows true dedication to the process</p> <p>Stressful if you have commitments to exhibit in the midst of change—wanting to<br> show new work but not sure if you can pull it off in time. Go into some strategies<br> for this in next podcast<br> introduce Joan Geary who recently shared her struggles with change with me via<br> email. (Friend and former student in cold wax workshops who has been struggling<br> with change—desire to find a more personal voice and way of expressing her<br> ideas.)</p> <p>Long interested in expressing light in her work but had not found her way in<br> technical terms. Issue of form and content—cold wax artists tend to work most<br> successfully with aspects of texture and numerous layers; many paintings tend to<br> have a very solid presence.</p> <p>There are those whose work emanates light (JMS) but it’s important to find one’s<br> own way</p> <p>Joan was challenged by a gallerist/friend to take her work to a new level. Felt like<br> criticism at first but J. also saw the need herself. Realized she was stuck in a mode<br> of trying produce work rather than keeping on exploring and growing. (Very<br> typical and easy trap to fall into with demands and pressures on us.)</p> <p>Studied other painters such as Helen Frankenthaler and Emily Mason --ended up<br> developing a new technical approach in her cold wax work, involves pouring paint<br> onto the panel. Involved a LOT of trial and error, frustration, despair.</p> <p>Technical issue of finding right consistency and additives to allow paint to adhere.</p> <p>Chipping and flaking issues. Did research, tried a lot of things.</p> <p>Worked on this for about 6 months before achieving any success. Will post the<br> painting that was successful as a result of efforts.</p> <p>Impressive amount of focus and determination. All while under pressure with 3<br> exhibits on the horizon. Excellent example of what we talked about in the podcast<br> about being blocked.</p> <p>We have to be open to change or stagnate. But as Joan said, growth is painful.</p> <p>How to distinguish change from simply being too scattered, which is a concern for<br> many artists.</p> <p>How do you know you are growing instead of spreading too thin</p> <p>Look for connection</p> <p>It can start out as random but sometimes random means intuitive—do you keep<br> on with the idea? Ask if it feels right for you, is there something truly intriguing?</p> <p>Instructor once gave me a compliment -- he could see a logical connection from<br> one group of work to the next—showing exploration, moving step by step –done<br> intuitively, I was not aware of it. But seeing the connection was encouraging.<br> ask if it feels right and sincere to you, while allowing for a wide view of yourself</p> <p>Try and see the purposeful reasons for change, it can help to define it –</p> <p>Take your time, no rush to get feedback or show the new work</p> <p>Sometimes you need to digest it alone for a while; resist urge to seek validation<br> from a lot of people right away. Social media validation is easy to come by and<br> can be too influential.</p> <p>Talk to someone you trust or keep it around long enough to feel you trust it<br> yourself.</p> <p>The time of creating new work/transitional time/you are vulnerable</p> <p>Not to be afraid, just know that it may take some time to really understand what<br> you are doing.</p> <p>The most significant changes take place somewhat slowly, organically. Can start<br> with bold moves but takes time to understand and integrate.</p> <p>Realize it can change how you are viewed as an artist in positive ways.</p> <p>In conclusion, change is integral to the creative process, welcome it, respect it,<br> give it time. Holisitc, affecting not only the work but how it is seen, by whom, how<br> others see your work</p>