simple tasks
Posted: March 2, 2016 Filed under: activ8, eARTh | Tags: Arte Povera, arts research, earth pigments, eco art, ecopsychology, Environmental art, Feeling, Meditation, Pigment, poetry, Visual arts 4 Comments.
as an artist experiencing cessations in the creative flow
or an utter lack of enthusiasm for making from time to time
it is heartening to experience how the most simple actions
no matter how difficult they may sometimes be
like folding and tearing paper
grinding some local earth pigments
and painting basic patterns
(with the intention of creating a set of cards for sale)
can enliven my spirits
get the mind ticking again
and lead to a bounteous plethora of new ideas and directions
earth dots (north devon pigments on paper) © p ward 2016
whether it is something particularly inspiring about the whole process
of collecting pigments in the landscape and making paint
or whether it is evident in all forms of simple creative actions
i’m not sure
but it feels good
and reminds me of how art has enriched and inspired my life for so many years
earth lines (north devon pigments on paper) © p ward 2016
i like my work
i like what I make
and i am eternally grateful to the universe for offering me these gifts:
the ability to perceive beauty
the aptitude to make beautiful things
and the opportunity to inspire others to do the same…
painting with eARTh day, Hele Corn Mill 15216, images courtesy Sophie Twiss
© p ward 2016
How I empathize with this! Being at a point of cessation of creative flow and lack of making It’s good to be reminded that just starting maybe all that is needed. Creating the mindset and focus is always the challenge. Beautiful, simple stuff of earth and gratitude as the foundation is a great place to connect and reconnect.
Great what simple marks and repetition can create!
thanks celia! since working with earth pigments the imagery in my work has quite naturally tended towards simple marks and patterns – it seems to be what the materials suggest (interesting in relation to traditional aboriginal imagery), allowing the pigments to be seen most powerfully in their original form and also expressing best what i am hoping to say with them – celebrating the beauty, energy and resonance of Nature! there is also a satisfying and therapeutic rhythm to the process of making. i will carry on… 😉
I like to let the pigments talk, too! If I make a work, it’s hopefully them, not me. After I’ve made some paint I like to use it there and then, while the energy and brilliance is still there.