my first masterclass

So I’ve signed up to do a writers masterclass.

Lately, people have been talking to me about writing. It might be a case of the more your brain has been alerted to something, the more you start to notice it around you. Whatever the case, I’ve decided to take the leap and give it a go.

I feel that I used to be able to write better than I currently do. Maybe I just need to flex my writing muscles and practice it. I’m hoping that it will aid my writing about my art practice. I want to be able to better nail down my thoughts about my art. I can talk freely about the why and the how of my art practice but sieze up when it comes to conveying these thoughts to others via the written word.

I love to read. I love stories. I love movies, theatre, radio interviews where the story is deftly played out.  I’d like to be able to participate on the other side of it.

So my birthday gift to myself is signing up to this writing class and hopefully more words will flow.

Impotence

The dilemma of trying to create when I am also trying to declutter my space is proving problematic. Purging and creating aren’t content bed partners. There’s no desire to bring something into creation.

It’s more than “losing the urge”. I feel impotent.

It’s probably not surprising that I’m also experiencing a significant loss of libido. The sacral chakra is the seat of creativity . It is also where the sex organs are located. No coincidence methinks.

No matter how many glib motivational memes I see, their pappy messages slide off me.  Nothing seeps in through my latex skin. The arting around that I am doing is also in blues.  I’m obsessed with indigo, sky blue, azure, cerulean, ultramarine, slate, cobalt, aquamarine, lapis lazuli and so on.

Nothing tastes like it should today. I’m sick of cups of tea; it’s lack lustre. I even changed drinking vessel to see if that made any difference – it didn’t.  I just feel like nestling up under a blanket and and zoning out. So that’s what I’m doing.

Next big thing

This last weekend I was fortunate to share in a delightful reunion of our mothers group that was first formed over 16 years ago. What follows below is my response to a conversation that inspired after a vino or three. We were discussing how supported we all felt when we had our wee ones and would bring any issues to our mothers' group. Our eldest kids are now 16 years of age but that kind of supportive environment is never redundant. 

Most of us are blessed to be in a position to explore new directions right now. It transpired though that being somewhat accountable could help push us along to reach new goals.

So we have given ourselves six months to achieve our personal, self-set goals.

Below is what I have submitted. 



What?

to explore mediums other than painting acrylics on canvas

to explore 'vessel' - the term, what it looks like, feels like etc

How?

I know it's vague but, for me, that's how I roll artistically/creatively. When I start I only have an indistinct idea. I've tried starting with clearer thoughts of the end product but it only constricts me, doesn't allow me free reign and I pretty much always end up dispirited and disappointed. 

I need freedom to play, to explore... to be wrong.

Practical steps

I'm planning to partake in open pottery sessions at my local Living and Learning centre 

I'm re-visiting my love of crochet - some pieces will be stiffened with the use of a simple sugar syrup (combining my foodie bent?)

I'm planning to play with paper-mache and see where that takes me.

Why?

I had a dream that I created milky porcelain vessels, held in both hands they were supped from.

They were almost breast shaped (doesn't take a genius to see connection there) though slightly almond, tear-drop shaped also. 

Anyway - that's my two-cents worth.

I'm planning on collating everyone's ideas/plans and sharing them amongst us all as I don't wish to be the keeper of information but rather a co-facilitator. We shall all hold each others' ideas amongst us as a group.Many years ago we nurtured each others' children. Now we can nurture each others' ideas. What beautiful symmetry!

Write drunk, edit sober

Hemingway may or may not have said this but whatever the case I agree.

I'm not suggesting creativity comes only from getting smashed. I'm saying that a few  glasses of wine can help loosen our own self-censorship tendencies that often occur.

I've always supported  the 2 glasses rule - that the best ideas often come after 2 glasses of wine. Subsequently, one needs to remember that more glasses of wine doesn't actually equate to greater creativity once you get passed this watershed of 2 glasses......

Of course, it helps that I enjoy arting (yes, that's my new favourite word...possibly made up) during the afternoon and evening. I'm not inspired to create in the morning - that's for getting stuff done, running errands and so on {see my previous 'rhythms' post - I'm sure you've already read it}.

For myself, this can mean paint or charcoal on my wine glasses, smudged on my cheeks or up my arms. I make a mess when I create but I don't really care. It's all for me. I paint for me. I draw for me. I really like it when other people appreciate what I do but when it comes down to it - it's all about AND for me!