Now, at the tail end of winter, is my last chance to pause and look back before the spring rush of bursting buds and new growth keep me busy painting my chosen beauties in their moment of glory. I wanted to briefly pause to note of a few little things I have learned over the past year. The first three are what I think of as ways to feed my soul, the last few are more practical matters which I will put in another post.
- The drawing and composition phase of an art project require constant evaluation and thought, and melodic music keeps me relaxed and energized as I work. Right now, the chamber music of Bach, the English folk songs of Kate Rusby and the jazzy guitar music of Tommy Emmanuel are my favorites. I find that listening to inspiring, enchanting and sorrowful music keeps me engaged in my work.
- When I put down the pencil and pick up the brush, audiobooks become my companions. For me the painting phase of the process is more intuitive so one part of my mind can paint while the other can listen. What books did I find especially good painting companions this past year? The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Out of Africa by Karen Blixen and the charming Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes were amongst them.
Cover of Out of Africa; illustration of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza looking for adventure; and cover of The Secret Garden
- The importance of whimsey (not Lord Peter, although he can serve the purpose too). Someone dear to me gave me this mobile for my birthday and hung it above my work table. Its beauty lifts my spirits every time I look at it, and it makes me feel loved. It reminds me that beauty and love are connected, and that what we do as artists is important. The mobile’s only purpose is to delight and that is enough.
The silky leaves float above my head as I work, gently twisting and turning like branches in a breeze.
Beautiful music, well-told stories, and whimsy all enrich me in a way that makes me want to pass it on. I hope my work can somehow touch others in a similar way. Creating and appreciating beauty is a uniquely human endeavor…a necessary part of life…a worthwhile end in itself.
What kind of soul-food do you give yourself as you work? Oh yes, let’s not forget chocolate…another necessity!
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
My soul food is usually music … classical when I’m concentrating and getting the drawing right.
Once that’s done the painting requires more volume and movement to get those first washes in, love flamenco music and so many others – there are a few! When I’m getting towards the end I slow it all down again for all the fine dry brushwork. Sometimes I need peace and quiet to follow my train of thought too …
Vicki, Interesting to hear how you like different accompaniment during different phases. I can just imagine you swishing your brush around to flamenco music…which I am fond of as well!
I can’t bear any music playing during any stage of a painting. I couldn’t even bear anyone else in the room at one time, but now I don’t mind. Perhaps this means I am relaxing a bit more into it and will one day come to listening to music. Wonder what I will choose……
Christine, You must be lost in deep concentration when you work. I am like that at times too but find I can keep at it longer if I have something on in the background. At times I have to replay chapters because I realize I’ve been concentrating on painting to a degree that I tuned out of the book! On the other hand, with complete silence sometimes my mind wanders and I end up getting distracted from my work!
I keep forgetting to check out Audible. Thanks for reminding me! And I’m with you about chocolate!
Ha…chocolate rules!
This made me realise that I have listening preferences at different stages of my work. BBC Radio 4 during the planning stage and then it tends to be Classic FM and audio books during the painting stage. I adore that mobile Janene, how lucky you are. Thanks for another great post.
Thanks, Sarah! It’s so interesting that you like a different background for different stages too! I enjoyed hearing how you work.