6 WAYS TO DETERMINE IF YOUR ARTWORK IS FINISHED

Sometimes we overwork our art. Sometimes we under-work them. It's easy to get caught up in working too close to the piece but we need to step back once in a while to see the big picture. Once you think you have finished a piece, here are 6 ways to help determine if your piece of art is actually complete - or if it needs more work.

1. Turn it upside down, then stand across the room to view the piece and look at it from different perspectives. By altering the right side up view, we start to see gaps or disconnects where the piece is not quite finished, where a colour needs to be fixed etc. It's like looking through someone else's eyes.
2. Hold the art up to a mirror  - try right side up, upside down, sideways. By looking at the mirror image, as in #1 above, we gain a new perspective and can see if and where fixes are needed.
3. Walk away for a few days, then look at the art through fresh eyes, like seeing it for he first time, and as another viewer sees it. Some suggest to hang it up and live with the picture for a week or more. You will be drawn to parts that need to be fixed.
4. Ask a friend - There's nothing better than getting a second opinion. Just make sure it's someone who will be honest in a positive way, and not be afraid to critique and possibly hurt your feelings. "I love it!" is wonderful to hear but not always helpful.
5. You realize you're bored with the piece - It may be unfinished, but perhaps you have gotten out of it what you needed to learn. Decide if you want or need to finish it. If not, move on.
6. Trust your intuition - As you get more experienced in art-making, you'll start to sense if it's finished or if something still needs to be fixed. Then turn to the suggestions above to figure out what needs to be done.

CREATING IN A GROUP PART 2: 14 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE JOINING A GROUP

In my last blog post I talked with my friend, visual artist Kerstin Peters, about "Creating Art with a Group" - about groups she is part of, how they can help contribute to success as an artist, and about meet-up locations (https://annewarburton.blogspot.com/2018/07/why-you-should-create-in-group.html). In this second part we talk about challenges and about collaborations on a joint piece, and provide you with 14 questions to ask before you join - or create - a group.

4) What are some disadvantages of creating with a group? Are you afraid to lose your own creativity when you participate in group activities too often?

One of the advantages of creating with a group can also be a disadvantage: you influence each other. If you paint too often together, there is a chance that you start to copy each other.

It is also important to realize that it does not matter how fast or slow you paint. It does not say anything about your skill, but rather reflects your personality. This was something that was very discouraging for me at the beginning, because one of my painting buddies paints very fast. Sometimes, it feels like she is almost finished by the time I start. We go on many trips and outings together and have come to an agreement that we will look for spots where she can easily find several angles to paint.

It is also important to realize that we are all unique and as much as we sometimes admire another artist’s work, it is important that we stay true to our personality. We have our own styles and interpretations, and part of the beauty is that we are all creating unique artworks, even if we paint the same scene.

5) Have you collaborated with other artists to jointly create a piece of art?

Until now, we only talked about creating a piece together but we never worked on one artwork. The closest we came to jointly creating art was last September, when we all set up our easels at the same location to paint the sunset in Kamouraska. We could probably put all six pieces as a sequence showing different stages of the sunset.


Kerstin has provided my answers to these same questions on her blog. I invite you to visit her post at: http://kerstinpeterspaintingblog.blogspot.com/


If you would like to join - or put together - your own creative group, here are some items to consider so you can define what you want to get from such a group:

1. What kind of creative work does the group do, is it restricted to one medium or are other mediums allowed?
2. Is there a demonstration or workshop during the meeting, or does everyone work without instruction?
3. Who is part of the group? A mix of skill levels? How about the age group?
4. Are you all expected to work on the same project, or can you work on your own project?
5. Will you need to bring your own or purchase extra supplies? How about tables, chairs, easels for an indoor venue?
6. When does the group meet: day or evening, weekdays or weekends, and how often do they meet?
7. Is there a fee (if so, it is usually minimal for local events)? If you are looking for multi day outings like a retreat or a painting trip, the costs vary depending on the accommodation and location.
8. Is regular attendance expected, or can you sign up for individual get-togethers? Do you have to pay a yearly fee, or can you pay on a pay as you go basis?
9. Does the group work inside or outside, or both depending on weather?
10. If you are inside and there is oil painting in the group, are you sensitive to the oils or thinners? Are thinners allowed? Are there other art materials or tools used that some people can be sensitive to?
11. Is there a lot of idle chatter or do the artists mostly focus on their projects (chatter related to the projects is usually fine)? Be honest with yourself. If you need tranquility to work, you will not enjoy an environment with chatter or music in the background.
12. How far are you willing to travel? Is parking available close by? Is there a cost for parking?
13. Is there food or coffee/tea available near by? Do you need to bring your own?
14. Where to find groups: Facebook, art organizations, local art schools and galleries (paid instruction)

WHY YOU SHOULD CREATE IN A GROUP

Imagine what you might experience by creating in a group, how can it benefit you. Potential for new ventures, gaining knowledge, collaborating, making new friends. 

I sat down recently with my friend, visual artist Kerstin Peters, to talk about this topic and have recorded her perspectives below. Kerstin has been part of creative groups for many years, travelling to several destinations in Canada to capture the beauty of the landscape. She is a firm believer that everyone can express themselves through art, and offers painting parties and “Creativity and Me” workshops. She has recorded my thoughts on groups in her blog, and I invite you to visit hers to see my answers at http://kerstinpeterspaintingblog.blogspot.com/ or through www.KerstinPeters.ca.

Links are included below for more information on our video conversation.

1) Kerstin, why do you create art with a group? What do you get out of creating with others?

I belong to a couple of groups, the biggest of which is the Plein Air Ensemble, we paint in various places around the region. We used to paint at farther locations in Ontario and Quebec. We have more than 50 members and our trips are usually 4 nights away with 14-20 people. We don't all paint together, but in small groups during the day, then get together for our evening meal and to compare notes, recommend a painting spot. Sometimes we don't see some of our artist friends for months so it's great to catch up. At the end of every trip, we have a show and tell. We use different mediums, we have oil, acrylic and watercolour artists, and some pastel artists. It's fantastic to see how everyone sees nature with different eyes. Even if it's freezing cold, to be in nature and immersed in the sounds and the smells is just fantastic.

I have another small group of friends I create with in the area. It's sometimes easier with a small group and we can get together more often.

Link to video on different painting groups: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyiSOZGxUYM&feature=youtu.be

Another group I'm part of, which is completely different from what I usually do, is the Ottawa Urban Sketchers, it's part of a larger group from around the world, who set up outings and anyone can come and sketch. Usually they are free events, and you just come and sketch in pencil, coloured pencil, watercolours. The artists are at all levels, beginners to very experienced. And we get help from others, especially if you're a beginner. Everyone is very positive and we get inspiration.

Link to video clip: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04MaEvhsZ-8&feature=youtu.be

2) Do you think being part of group is helping with your success as an artist?

It makes me go out and paint, as life is busy, and sometimes other things going on, so if you are part of a group and have a place to meet, then you go out and create. You get inspired and are reminded of the fresh breeze of energy and you share the experience.

If you work in a studio you are by yourself, and sometimes you need to be, but I love when I'm with my artist friends and am getting their energy and being outside. It's such an inspiration, nature is an inspiration.

Link to video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWlYxfKTVGY&feature=youtu.be

3) Where do you meet - are there any challenges with finding locations?

Locations are a challenge because there is beauty everywhere. Sometimes the beauty is so big it doesn't fit into a painting, but you think about finding a solution on canvas, but it may not look good. I take pictures that help. And you have to set up somewhere that is safe. Some locations are just fantastic but are not safe when you are setting up an easel or to set up a camera, or you have to walk far and your equipment is too heavy. And we have to consider weather.

Cost for space - and indoor space - can be an issue. You want to go to places that are mostly free and not overly crowded. If you paint at the tulip festival, you won't have much fun as constantly people will be in front of you and your camera.

Link to video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl9J_Lkd4GI&feature=youtu.be

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The second part of my blog on this subject will be posted on Sunday, July 15, by 7 pm, in which Kerstin will talk about the challenges and collaborations of a group, and we include a list of 14 questions to ask when looking to join - or create - a group. 

Part 2 of Kerstin's blog will be published the evening of Friday, July 13 - again, I invite you to visit her blog to see my answers: http://kerstinpeterspaintingblog.blogspot.com/ or through www.KerstinPeters.ca.

Art hives, hubs, maker groups, creative circles, playdates, whatever you call them, it’s about a community of artists creating together, sharing, collaborating, supporting, socializing, forming friendships. Groups may be public, private, in stores or a place of business, through arts groups, friendships or common interests. And Ottawa has no shortage of creative groups for painting, sketching, fibre art, knitting, stitching, writing, music, woodworking and more. 

And I'm thrilled to announce another artist friend has just started up the Ottawa Plein Air Adventurers, with locations planned for sketching and painting the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month around Ottawa for the summer of 2018. Lissa has provided her email at the link - contact her if you're interested in joining the group. 

TEXTILE ART FOR A 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

When I was asked earlier this year to create an art piece for the 20th anniversary of the Vars and Area Women's Business Network (VAWBN), the group's President, Julie, wanted to honour all the current and past members since the group's start in 1998 by displaying each person's name and business. 

As the art piece would likely be on display at several events, I also needed to consider ease of storage, transportation, and set-up. It could not be hung, but would have to work on or beside a 6' table. But for the 20th anniversary open house celebration in July 2018, it had to take centre stage and reflect the dynamics of the group.

And so my "canvas" of choice to fit these requirements was settled: Clothing.

Clothes, after all, are loved by women. What we choose to wear tells a story about us, our goals and our experiences, and plays a large role in our business lives, whether it's a suit for the executive boardroom or yoga pants for the gym owner. 

As 200+ business cards would be adorning the clothing, the selections needed to drape well and have a simple background that would complement and not take away from the assortment of cards. A visit to a local thrift store yielded a black dress and a red jacket. A black hat and a scarf as accessories would complete the look.

A simple valet stand and hangers were chosen to display the clothes, symbolizing the support and tools needed for our work tasks and daily planning.

The VAWBN is about much more than just networking. It's about social interaction, support, sharing, friendships, community. And much support is provided outside the group through donations to local causes. In addition to monetary support, the group collects items such as pop can tabs (used toward wheelchair purchases), milk & bread tags (for a school project), and milk bags (crocheted into ground sheets). These items have been added to the clothing in recognition of this support. 

I'm excited about how this art piece is coming together, and am looking forward to seeing it on display at the 20th anniversary. The VAWBN Open House is open to the public on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at the Bearbrook Community Centre, 8720 Russell Road Navan/Vars. There will be door prizes, refreshments, vendor tables, and more. Admission is free. 


And I will be sure to have photos of the entire piece at its unveiling July 10th. 

Hope to see you there. 

WHEN INSPIRATION DOESN'T STRIKE

When inspiration is just not forthcoming, try turning to the journaling and writing world for some right brain exercises. Here are 5 ideas to try. Who knows, these may just help you find the ideas and inspiration you are looking for. And these are not just for art, but for any issue you are looking to get some insight into. Happy to say I've used all of these methods. If one doesn't work for a specific issue, try another. 

1. Hand-write a few sentences with pen or pencil about the problem you are trying to solve, outlining what you need inspiration for or need help with. Then switch your pen to your non-dominant hand, and sit ready to write down a response. You may be surprised at the answers that come. The non-dominant hand acts as a direct link to your true self.
2. Write a list of 50 possible solutions in 30 minutes. Write them down no matter how absurd they seem. This exercise is not about pre-judging but about coming up with ideas. The first several ideas will be easy yet also common solutions, the next set will start tapping into the imagination, the final set will be the most creative. 50 seems like a lot, but these last dozen or so are the most innovative ideas  If you get stuck before you reach 50, put the list aside until the next day, then come back to it.
3. Try stream of consciousness writing. If you've read Julia Cameron's book The Artists' Way, then you're familiar with this already. The idea is to write 2-3 pages early in the day and to just allow the writing to happen. Don't plan it out, and you certainly don't need to show your writing to anyone else. It's not about spelling or grammar either, but just letting your thoughts flow and purging thoughts that may be bogging you down. We know how active our minds are; just let those thoughts flow onto paper. This is most effective when writing pages every day over a couple of weeks.
4. Create a mind map. Write a word or two in the centre of your page and draw a circle
   around it - this is like the nucleus. Now begin to write other words that come to you in
   relation to your circled word - actions, ideas, feelings, people, places, whatever may surface. Draw circles around these and add lines from your centre to these new thoughts. Keep adding ideas as they arise, after a few minutes you will realize that you have shifted to thoughts coming from your unconsciousness.
5. Create a narrative timeline of a period of your life. This is a snapshot or map of any part of your life, and can get pretty detailed as you dig further. Memories may surface which can give you some inspiration for ideas. The standard way to create the timeline is by a straight line horizontally or vertically, but it's really much more creative to draw a road or river or tree and use that as the basis for your own narrative.

PREPARING TO CREATE / GETTING INTO YOUR ZONE

High performance athletes get in the zone when competing, quieting their minds, breathing, focusing, visualizing every move they need to take, even following a set routine and rituals in the seconds before leaving the start box. They may not be able to eliminate all distractions but do get to a point where they can keep those distractions at bay. Their preparatory routines become so ingrained that it could throw them off course if not followed to the letter.

It is rare that I see artists use any type of centering as they begin creating each day. We enter our studio and just expect to create. Yes, some go through rituals such as tidying up first, placing the materials they need at their side, perhaps making a cup of coffee or tea. Others feel the need to get chores out of the way before they focus on creating. But our to-do list of distractions never ends, and can sometimes be a delay tactic when there is uncertainty about steps or a technique for a piece in progress or a new piece of art, or when we are not satisfied our art is good enough.

As artists we are not taught the benefits of getting in the zone to prepare for creating or coached in techniques to get into that zone. Rather we hope we will find our focus once we have started our creative activity. Sometimes we do. And sometimes we don’t get there at all and find all kinds of other tasks to distract us. When we do discover the value of getting in the zone early, it’s usually through discussion with others or by fluke. Unless it’s a meditative style art class, it’s unusual to be led through an exercise in classes and workshops to find our focus or to be reminded to centre ourselves. Instead, when the gun goes off, we are just expected to begin creating.

Since taking up yoga a few years back, more and more I am able to quiet my mind, slow down and find focus like the athlete who gets into the competitive mindset. When I then applied similar steps to my art, trying various meditative practices to see what would work for me, I discovered I do my best creative work when I read first, something that gives me pause for reflection rather than fiction or world news. I follow this with a few minutes focusing to set an intention for my creative work that day, visualizing the project at hand. I am then ready to begin and am in a much more relaxed state than when I started. I am getting into my zone. And I am able to push aside distractions that arise.

There is no one right way to get into the zone. And everyone finds their way is different from someone else, and may find they need new ways over time. And of course some days are harder than others to find that focus. For some, sitting quietly and focusing on the breath works, others prefer to take a walk, or sit outside focusing on the sounds of nature. Gentle movement can work too. Other rituals may include lighting a candle, putting on quiet music, pulling on a favourite shirt to wear. Visualization and setting an intent are the important areas to focus.  

Overall I’m happier with my art when I follow this process. Without it, well, let’s just say I’ve had some successes but also more failures than I care to admit. In the zone, I’m much less tense about the outcome, in a more relaxed state of mind, willing to pause, not rushing, not pushing, and truly pleased with the creative results.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?

Reading time: 1-1/2 minutes

Asked a few years ago to list the 10 places or experiences I find most inspiring, I found the first few were easy to identify. For the last few I had to think a little deeper.

This process of identifying inspiring times when I was most relaxed and open to ideas felt like a gateway to me, reminding me of ways and places I can awaken and open up my creativity.

For each of the places I listed, I realized that in some ways I can continue to feel motivated, to find insights, even though some I had not visited for several years, by going through my old photos, mementos, books and memories. These still have the power to awaken my senses to help me re-live visits, re-capture some of the ideas I had at the time, and to continue to up with new ideas. And each place provides something unique.

Of course, the best thing is to re-visit these or similar types of spots in person if possible to really allow the creativity to soar. It's like re-filling the well with new ideas, to take those first steps toward a dream, to finally start to do what I had only talked about doing. 

When I recently reviewed the list of 10 places I put together years ago, I discovered that it remains unchanged for me. I may now visit a different location, but its the type of places and the experiences that matter. And I have made a new pact to go to these places more often, to keep that inspiration front of mind so I can feel and act upon it.

I highly recommend that you take the time to write out your list of 10 places and experiences you find most inspiring, and give a few a visit again soon.

Here are mine, perhaps you'll have some of these on your list.

• Art shows, and especially fibre art shows
• Fabric stores & vintage shops to find interesting textiles
• Gardens with art
• My travel photos
• Walks in old neighbourhoods
• Flea markets
• Bookstores and libraries, and finding some unique art books
• Art classes & studio time, specifically creating with other people
• My deck, while listening to the sounds of nature
• Anywhere outdoors beside a creek, river or lake