This looks like a Goddess Mandala to me. Â It looks mythical and deep with layers of meaning. It looks like a scared symbol of an earth culture. For me it is a sacred symbol - I see a goddess created from ancient, significant symbols. There is a human aspect and also a nature deva facet. And of course, the colors have profound spiritual implications. Absolutely amazing the way the unconscious speaks in art!!
I love this painting … the colors and the stillness uplift me … hence the name. My affirmation for the day is “still joy” … that is what I want to foster in me and in the world.
Many times of my life I have been filled with still joy even if I have been way too busy … I want to reclaim that still center of myself where I am centered and joyful, even when way too busy … time to get back in alignment!! The quiet sun today is an early spring sun - this actually enhances the process I think. I wish still joy for all of you too!
I am thrilled you preferred the second image yesterday … The first one took a long time to find a car and get it all set up … but the colors and formatting came pretty easily once I got the car in the 3D painting. I was concerned it was too close to “Theory” so I worked and worked and worked to get a painting I at least sort of liked that was different and felt fairly harmonious.
So you liked the painting (in general anyway) that flew out of me. The creative process was in the flow and just moving right along. The other took much longer and never flowed how I wanted .. I think, so often, it is the creative projects that flow that are more effective. Certainly there are still often lots of tedious and slow details to do, but the general creativity comes easily.
Not that is always the case, sometimes it is after struggling with something, that the floodgates open up and wow … it flows! Creativity is so interesting! Hope your day is excellent!
I like to enter the 2 Things Challenge each week. This week is Peanut and Plain. I was trying and trying to figure out what to do. I would say these are both more conceptual … to whatever degree they work (not sure they do). I would like to be able to create more conceptually - because I think the vision of seeing an idea is very important. I hope you like my entries.
Here is another version (sorry, Neda - she is on a slow, slow computer/phone system right now). But I thought this might actually do better at showing contrast. So I went looking for the right bubblescape to work with and this jumped out as me as plain and peanut - hope you agree!
I have lots of bubblescapes done up that you haven’t seen yet. I put one on Flickr tonight to show my piece for Create Every Day (this is the blog). Some of you may want to join in! There is a message on her sidebar on the right that tells about it and lists all the participants. You can also see the Flickr Group where many people post their images.
To update you - I did some design work for someone as I had mentioned. I had felt very hopeful but it did not work out. The communication did not flow at all and we had a mutual parting of the ways. I think she will pay me what we agreed on .. I think she is honest. It was very weird - I am so known for my clear communication with customers and vendors … but this just did not work that way at all. I think perhaps it was my soul pushing me instead to stay focused on my own work … even if I don’t have as much income.
I know I am way behind in replying to your comments, but I figure you would rather have me comment on your own blogs and try to keep up there better. Hope all is well with you!!!
Here is an example of the before and after picture of Miss Chi Chi as she is all ready to go out on the town. Chi Chi loves getting dressed up in hats!! Chi Chi is so delighted to be featured on this blog!! She loves the attention!!
This gives you a sense of what I do for my Fanciful Animal Images. My friend and client gave me several photos of Chi Chi so I could choose which I thought would be most successful. I chose this one and you can see the results!
Chi Chi Before, Photography
Let me know if you have special friends that you want to create a special heirloom image in honor of. My rates are reasonable and people are delighted at the transformation of their buddy!
One of the things we artists, and everyone else, needs to remember is to rest and rejuvenate. To allow ourselves the luxury of filling up with spiritual sustenance and spilling it over into our lives. This is actually not a luxury at all - it is as necessary for creative life as breathing. So often in this busy culture we drive ourselves to be busy and think that is what will move us ahead.
Many of us are very busy fulfilling our dreams in life. Many of us artists now know we need to market besides create. I know for me there is no way that I will ever do what I think I need to do to be able to get my artwork out to you as I would like to.
I know I need to take the time to reconnect with the ease of spirit and joy - this is what truly fuels my creativity. Come join me in this “Flight of Fancy.”
Wednesday we talked about biodiversity of the species - while focusing on the human species. You can read about this here. A key point for humans is that there is actual strength in difference. Diversity of people are important for the stability and evolution of humans. Unfortunately, languages get lost every day! Unbelievable that there are that many!!
Then there is biodiversity (Wikipedia) of the rest of the species. Science actually echoes thought (or is it the other way around?), the idea that there is strength in difference. Variety in species is actually necessary for the continuation of life. It used to be thought that many animals were cool and a nice thing. The more it gets looked into, it becomes clearer that it is necessary for life.
We have all heard of how many medicines that are so helpful actually are found in plants and microorganisms - that has been an incredible breakthrough. But each of us, human, animal, plant, microorganism … is part of the web of life. Variety actually strengthens our resistance to problems.
The potato famine in Ireland (1850’s) is seen to have been caused by a lack of variety in crops. When things are too uniform, they are weakened so that they are more vulnerable to catastrophe and problems in general. Think about each of us. I know when I do things only one way, when my rhythm is broken, I have less resilience to make changes more easily. To some extent it is similar with nature.
When agriculture gets too uniform and we lose heritage varieties, the ecosystem is weakened. Right now, there is a strong movement in saving old varieties of plant seeds to have for the future. Unfortunately, at the same time, there is a movement by big agribusiness for uniformity so that they can grow, pack, move and sell more easily - that is, more uniformly. This is part of why buying locally is important.
It is disturbing that we are losing so many species every year at this point. It is greatly disturbing that so many species are getting destroyed - yes, I mean destroyed - with the rain forest destruction. The rain forests hold some of the keys to life in many ways - biodiversity, oxygen, indigenous peoples, natural medicines .. the list goes on.
There are some efforts to protect species that are endangered and bring them back. The bald eagle in Massachusetts, US has had some real success. But these plants and animals are another reason why we need to protect the environment and look at our ecological footprint - as so many of us are doing.
This is just a quick overview, but I hope I have given you food for thought about why variety and difference are important for our very survival as a human species. A bright point is that there are still some new species that are being found - particularly in Indonesia. It is amazing to me! Not that these species are new - but those people who keep track of such things are finding them for the first time. This gives some hope for biodiversity - this also means there is that much more land we need to protect - at the same time we respect the needs of the people who live there and depend on these areas.
I know I have given a very slight overview of this topic and welcome your own thoughts, experiences and ideas!
I am very moved by the outpouring of kindness and understanding that you have given me in your comments! You have touched me in a deep place in my soul with your connecting to me … and letting me know about it! This is an added bonus I did not expect when I started blogging!
I promised I would give you the link to the World Card Making Day (WCMD)- which was yesterday, October 6, 2007. If I had known earlier, I would have shared this so all of you could have the chance to play too. It is a little like Rima’s challenges … different blogs set up a kind of card to make and then details were posted during different times of the day and then people went to town creating cards!
ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) and ATC ( Art Trading Cards) are 2.5 x 3.5″ cards (made of many different materials) that people trade and collect. They are the same size as a baseball card (at least baseball cards in the US - I don’t know about other countries) and people often keep them in plastic sleeves that people use for baseball cards.
I have had a request to make some of these ACEOs and so I saw an opportunity that would force me to push myself fast and furious without worrying about quality .. sort of like it was for me when I took art classes. I produced tons of work because there was a deadline without the pressure of having to be perfect … I am sure many of you understand what I mean.
If you want to see the ACEOs I made yesterday they are posted at my other blogs here and here. I posted until 2 am my time last night so there may be some you didn’t catch. There are no duplicate ACEO images between the 2 blogs. And I hadn’t posted on either since I posted about the Blog Action Day - so that is when you will know you have seen all the ACEOs.
For me it was a great chance to get the brush going again without worrying about meaning or what it looked like. I need to do my environmental challenge so hopefully the brush got loosened up so now there is just the brain (or heart and soul) that need loosening.
The other thing I wanted to share is about this painting. I just was putting paint down and I thought it looked terrible - so I almost threw it aside. But I am very conscious of the earth and thriftiness. So I put a little more on it. Then I wiped a brush on it. Then put a bunch of marks in the back. Then, magically, at one moment, it showed itself as a dog. A pretty cool dog too I think. So I went back and reworked it a bunch more times … I thought you would be interested to know about its history. I think it is one of the strongest images from yesterday .. and it almost got thrown out!
I want you to remember that persevering is important. Things may not go quite right at the moment, in life and in painting, but keep stick with your process. You helped me persevere yesterday with painting and painting when it all looked like total junk to me .. then it gelled. So I want to pass this along to you!
One thing that has been great for me in blogging is getting back into creating paintings again. I had gone on quite a digital image binge a couple of years ago and then slowed way down (except for animal pictures). I have not done that much new painting with traditional materials except for working on a couple of series that I knew I wanted to work out to four in each series. And I have spent a lot of time marketing and doing graphic design and web design for clients.
Coming here and having you want a new painting every day, I worried if I would have enough. I am sure I had enough for maybe a year (or 2 depending on what I use), but I am very conservative in a certain way (not politically), and I didn’t want to use up all my paintings.
So I started creating new digital ones to hopefully delight you. And it has been great - because you have helped me go past what I was doing before in working with Studio Artist. In Photoshop I am probably working very much similarly. But your comments have pushed me past where I was working with SA. To a bunch more steps and taking images and working and reworking and reworking again.
Then - about the names - you pushed me to get more creative when I was going on and on with the Beyonds - since I was working with the same base image. That was how I was naming before - using one name for all 4 or so images I would make from one source image.
Right now I have over 300 images in a folder from one painting. Almost all the images I have created the last couple of months have been from the one base painting. So, obviously, Beyond 301 doesn’t cut it.
The Confession - for my Blog Action Day painting, I want to use traditional mediums - which means physical paints, physical collages, physical pastels, etc. Now … here is the confession really - I am scared! I feel I can never do anything worthwhile and that it just won’t look that good … and I can’t do it. I am nervous to so this!
The Appreciation - I want to thank you all for helping me develop into another stage in digital painting and also naming of paintings. Having to come up with a new name every day has made it much easier to be creative in names.
Thank you for sharing my process and please feel free to share yours!
It is delightful that we are talking with each other about these issues of creativity and supporting each other as artists. For me, it is much different doing things digitally than with paper or canvas and paint. Lately I have been sitting down with an image and just saying - “go ahead and change it.”
First, actually I cruise a bunch of images and see who speaks to me. Someone jumps out and yells, “me, me me!” So I say, “OK.” I don’t have anything in mind … I work from the process before me with the Studio Artist program. That is how I have made most of these images lately … and often gone into Photoshop for while too.
It is much scarier for me with paper and paint. Though I used a similar technique for using paper and tempera for awhile and 2 of those images are very popular ones of mine. With paint I feel I have to create something “special” to justify using resources and stuff .. so it is much harder to create.
Also, with paint and paper or canvas, sometimes I do sit down with a specific idea - like to create another image in a series. Allowing myself to play obviously works much better. And I absolutely agree with Sue - don’t worry too much about being original.
Start with something that you want to do and constantly stretch yourself. Hard as it is, try to compare yourself to you - not to anyone else. Though that is easier to say than to do! I know! What else are you thinking?
Some of you have been asking how I come up with these digital paintings. I start with something and twist and turn and play … constantly ready to “undo” the last action. The undo’s happen frequently - because each step feels like it is moving me in a direction that nourishes me … or it pulls at me in a negative way - in which case I immediately “undo.”
The other part that I keep a careful eye on is a lot of “saves” … often things look sort of interesting but not complete … so I save them and then continue on with my journey. I learned this part the hard way by having images I really liked, pushing on, and then losing anything good. Just being left with so-so stuff.
I have never had such a long run before on creating so many paintings out of one image. But it feels excellent! People here pushed me to go another level and that next step opened a whole lot of doors with my methods. The last time I did a lot of digital images was using many base images, one after another. So the exploration was broad rather than deep. I am enjoying this greatly!
Thank you for giving me an audience - you push me to create something for you … I want to delight you! Do you have any techniques or processes or … that you would like to share?
Since I was bestowed with the Thoughtful Blogger Award yesterday, now it is MY turn to pass on the honor. Please check out the Writer’s Review where you will find the rules, see how to on this gift and also pick up a banner to display on your site. Being a Thoughtful Blogger I chose the more subtle colors so it wouldn’t scream at you … ok, ok, it didn’t go with my design sense either.
First, The Courageous Blogger Award is bestowed upon “those bloggers who are battling or have battled with physical and mental illness, those who are survivors of abuse, poverty, or who have overcome other challenges in life. Those who serve in the military or work/volunteer in dangerous situations in order to provide a service or to help others. This award is for the strong, the brave, and the courageous.” This award goes to Susan Elkin at her photography blog.
The Thoughtful Blogger Award is bestowed upon “those who answer blog comments, emails, and make their visitors feel at home on their blogs. For the people who take others feelings into consideration before speaking out and who are kind and courteous. Also for all of those bloggers who spend so much of their time helping others bloggers design, improve, and fix their sites. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others.” This award goes to Rima Koleilat at her Maraya Galleries and to Chris O’Byrne at his art marketing site.
The Creative Blogger Award is bestowed upon “those who bring unique and creative elements to their blogs. For those who incorporate art, music, creative writing, photo’s, and other beautiful visual effects into their website. For those who put a unique spin on things and come up with new ideas. This award is for the artsy, the funky, the inventor, and even the rebel. This award is for those creative individuals who stand out from the crowd.” This award goes to Lisa Call at her quilting blog.
The Inspirational Blogger Award is bestowed upon “those bloggers who inspire others through their words and actions. With a positive attitude, and an uplifting spirit these bloggers make the blogosphere a better place, and encourage others to do the same. This award is for bloggers who rise up to set an example but continue to reach out and support others.” This award goes to Sue O’Kieffe at her Xanga blog, Dancing Sun.
Well, there are my 5! Each of these bloggers has been an inspiration to me in one way or another. Thank you again, Neda, for bestowing the award on me!
~ Diane Clancy
The award is part of the Writer’s Reviews and the brainchild of Christy Z. It is a pretty incredible and kind idea - and I am sure Christy deserves all 5 kinds of awards! I will bestow my 5 awards tomorrow - some of the people have already gotten one award and deserve yet another!
Thoughtful Blogger Award
Tomorrow you will find out who I have chosen! Thank you again, Neda for thinking of me!
First off, am I to assume the thumbnails work for the Studio Artist demo?
Rima Koleilat of MaraZine blog (marayagalleries.blogspot.com) has issued a digital challenge in this post here. Rima is asking anyone interested to download the same digital image and make an painting with it. You can download it from this post, here on my blog … then the thumbnail will expand and you can download the file. There are a few simple rules you can read in Rima’s post - and a deadline!! I am joining in with the fun and I hope you will too. Anyone may play!
Rima adds about this challenge “It would be nice to have more people try their hand at interpreting the same picture, with varying degrees of know-how. I think for a lot of our readers and fellow bloggers, it would be a little push in a different direction - always good for creativity muscles. ” Sue, I can’t wait to see the mandala you make - though you can make another picture too.
Lily Pad for Rima’s Challenge
Rima also wrote in a comment on this blog,”I do enjoy your “unsymmetrical” work, I find it more expressive of your gentleness.” I asked Rima for elaboration to better understand what she is meaning. This is what Rima answered, “I like all of your work, but I do like the “looser” designs most: like “Expansion” (it blew my mind, I loved that one) - very profound, and pieces like “In the Garden” with the Buddha in the flowers ) - so gentle and beautiful.”
Rima continues, “In the more “designy” series, works like in these posts: Castles in the Air and Can this be a Circus (my “umbrellas”!) still have some symmetry … but … it’s like you decided to play instead of painting, and the result is more energetic.”
With these thoughts in mind, I decided to push to go to a different place with Studio Artist today to create a painting for this post. When I have an actual paint brush in my hand, unless I am using masking tape for the straight edge “Luminous Angles” series, you probably never see a really straight line. But the way I have been using this program, I am generating lots and lots of straight lines. It is a little funny, odd funny. Here is one the Luminous Angles, “Dance of Life” if you want to check it out.
But, then again, Rima is really talking about symmetry rather than straight lines. And I guess it is symmetry rather than straight lines that Studio Artist generates so easily with the tools I have been using lately. So funny, Rima says symmetry and I hear straight lines. I will have to think why that is. I was going to edit out a chunk of my writing once I realized that straight lines were never even being mentioned, but I thought it might be interesting to follow where and how my mind travels.
Giving me lots to think about as I create. Thank you so much, Rima, for taking the time to think and write about my work!! But the best news is … I have been creating lots of new work lately! And one big reason I have been painting digitally is to show you some ideas. So, a big thank you!!
Talk about town … these figures are very busy chatting up a storm … I wonder what the topic is … They almost look as if they are gathering at the village well - where all the important news gets shared. Or is this a vertical painting - a portal with figures guarding the doorway, perched on the top?
I think it fun to see all the different ways to put together the same design elements. In creativity I often find it useful to constrain the variables so I am forced to be creative within limits rather than in total freedom.
Tomorrow I will share the chosen business cards ~ I haven’t had time to prepare the files to upload for the blog yet.
I am having lots of fun playing and making these digital paintings ~ are you? I sure hope so … it is being a lot of fun to just play and see what happens … Neda, is this your Golden Rule? I love the texture in the blue … and how it relates to the yellow. I may well rename some of these later … right now I just want to have fun.
I got caught up today with the work of documenting my finances for the art business … thank goodness that is done! I waited too long so it was hard to recreate the details. Please remind me to keep up better!
But tomorrow I should be able to get back to … ta da … the business card. Hopefully that can get wrapped up tomorrow. Thank you for being in my life and in our community!
Diane Clancy creates vibrant paintings that feature color and vision to inspire and uplift people. Says Diane, "I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to express myself through painting. I love that people say my artwork enhances their lives."
Diane belongs to Worldwide Women Artists Online, an international collective of women artists showing and selling our work online. For more original art direct from the women who create it, search WWAO.
Diane Clancy creates vibrant paintings that feature color and vision to inspire and uplift people. Says Diane, "I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to express myself through painting. I love that people say my artwork enhances their lives."
