Inspiration for Artists - From Behind the Camera
While watching the Olympic athletes I was reminded of something Polly Hammett said about art critique groups. Polly said the best critique groups are those that help artists understand and embrace their strengths rather than weaknesses. Elite athletes work to purge any thought of failure from their minds before a competition. It’s part of their training. Their focus is winning. Likewise, artists need to surround themselves with success.
Take advantage of the fact that as an artist you are a visual. Be your own good influence. Give away, burn, pulverize or turn to the wall your own work that does not represent the direction in which you want to grow. Keep a copy or the original of your own best work.
Acquire examples of work that please you. Original or print, let the imagery you strive to make your own surround you. You might be surprised to find that fellow artists, you admire, are often open to trading one of your paintings for one of theirs. Of course, books and art instruction DVD workshops are a help too.
The artists creative process is a delicate balance between free-flowing intuition and analytical thinking. Inspiration and confidence helps in both categories.
Cheers,
Lynn Powers