How I have been Creating
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.”
Here We Are, Digital © Diane Clancy
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?
~ Diane Clancy
Technorati Tags: Studio Artist, Photoshop, tempera, creative process
Hi Diane,
I really like this image alot. This one speaks to me more than many you have done recently. Not sure why, just a first impression.
What I want to add to what you said up there is, I think it is fine to learn from other people, be influenced by them…it helps you grow creatively and also to hone your skills. The danger is in thinking, “I’ll never be as good as that, so why try?”
And now you know why I am a digital artist too. I dont like holding paintbrushes or staring at a blank page, or using up paint. (Of course there is still that issue of printer ink, eh?)
~Sue
I think that if you can do this digitally, you are one heck of a digital artist. It just blows my mind as a beginner. It is very beautiful. I think it appeals to me because of its symmetry. I am that kind of person.
Great thoughts!
It’s great that you’ve found this kind of freedom in creativity with the digital medium. I haven’t worked with paper and paint for a long time but do have a bunch of it hiding in drawers and closets like little treasures. Perhaps I too have a hesitancy to use it without knowing it will be worthwhile. Still, my feeling is paint and paper and canvas were designed for use by artists and so deserve to be used as such. Think of all the paper we all waste in offices and with computers. Write a letter, memo, copy a page from the web, print out maps for our travels, all good uses but with lots of waste. There can surely be no higher use for paper and pen than to create a drawing, no better use than to paint that one, unique painting that reflects our own imagination. Perhaps the freedom you are finding now with digital images can then translate back into reminding you, and all of us, of why we starting drawing in the first place, for the fun of it.
Great images, always. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you all for enjoying these images and posts. Sue, Printer ink is different though – it has already been established it is good enough to use resources for. But … I understand those thought!
Irene and Linda – thank you so so much!
Ellen, I am very much hoping to bring that sense of play back to paper or canvas and paint! I mentally agree that the paints and paper are there to be used … it is emotionally that I feel not as capable. But, gee, putting it that way, the paint exists to be used … that might be a good reason to use it!! Thank you!
Thank you all!
~ Diane Clancy
Diane, this is such a simple truth. I often forget it. Thank you for reminding us of that wonderful truth.
Why thank you! ~ Diane