A Confession and Appreciation
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.
Above the Race Track, Digital © Diane Clancy
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!
~ Diane Clancy
Technorati Tags: marketing, graphic design, Studio Artist, Photoshop, Blog Action Day, traditional mediums, creative process, digital painting
quick note for now – i will have ot come back and comment on many other points in this post – but the one thing that resonates with me the most is when you wrote “i’m scared” – first of all, you are amazing for saying this, with this immense talent you have, and the beautiful work you do with both traditonal and digital mediums. second, if it’s any consolation, i think it’s usually a sign that you’re getting ready to do something really good. hugs, from a very sleepy rima
Aw..it is just like riding a bicycle! No, seriously, pick up your brushes and dip into your paints. It will come.
I have a confession too: You ARE a great artist and what is fear but the anticipation of jumping into something exciting. I think you have stage fright, once you get down and dirty with all the brushes and paint, I know you can’t stop. PLUS: who is going to judge what you do?? You are doing something from your heart to contribute something to this rotten/rotting world we will leave our children!!! Don’t get me started! We love you and no matter what you will come up with we will ALWAYS love you and besides haven’t you seen some of my mistakes splattered all over my blog earlier or do you want me to send pictures of my messes? Again, who cares?! You’re the boss!!! Be free! Be happy! Live and create!!! Have some wine too..if you feel like it :))
I have no idea what it is like to be a proper artist, Diane. It seems to me that you are one and that it is a talent you can’t lose. Pick up the brushes and go at it. I am sure it will all come back to you and then some. You will probably surprise yourself. I understand you being nervous about this, I would be too. Don’t postpone it, though. You’ll be fine. You have the eye! And the paints will be so lovely to work with!
i like what rima said. i am sure that once you take that deep breath and dip your brush into the paint, everything will begin to flow…you go girl!
~Sue O’Kieffe
Strange eerie echoes.
You are having the same fears as some of the rest of us have been suffering with.
I am wondering whether getting into the digital medium is going to help me back into physical media or whether it is going to make me less confident. I have started getting bothered about tidiness in imagery and neatness and perfection – instead of what I first liked about the medium, the possibility of expressing something and communicating an idea without the inhibition of technique.
Now I fear that I do not have the technical, practical skills required to do what I want in reality. I have no doubt though, that the only answer is to get the paint out and slap it on. I think large happy messes may be the way to go. To escape from the intricacies and exactitudes of the digital world. – I found myself adjusting something at pixel level the other day. How ridiculous is that?
Hi Sleepy Rima, thank you for your words of reassurance and also saying that my work is beautiful!! I also look forward to hearing what else you wanted to say!! Let’s hope it is something really good … I am still feeling scared … thank you!
Hi Bobbie – thank you for your reassurance that I will still be able to ride!!
Hi Neda, what great wisdom you are sharing – thank you!! I am grateful you think I am a great artist!! That means a lot to me! I am glad to hear you guys will still love me even if my work isn’t fantastic! I should be more be happy, live and create!! Thank you!
Hi Irene, thank you for your encouragement! and understanding also that it can sure be hard!! thank you!
Hi Sue, thank you so much for your encouragement and confidence!! Everything will flow … I need to remember that. Thank you!
Hi Frances, it is very helpful to hear what you are saying!!! I think one of the scariest parts is depending on the great “UNDO” button!! I am rereading a couple of times what you said about technique and skill … I identify with what you are saying. I sure created lots of messes yesterday!!
Thank you so much for your support and understanding!!
~ Diane Clancy
Hi your article is delightful.
I like your site..
ciao
Hi Super Dad, thank you for coming by! Glad you like it! I will check you out.
~ Diane
Hi the article is delightful.
I like your site..
ciao