This will be posted a little late due to some technical difficulties, which is kind of cool because it fits with this week's theme. I've been getting to know technology again, and reaffirming how enjoyable it can be.
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I should probably attempt to draw a link between existential tangents and the pursuit of creative practice. At least then I can make excuses for why I tend to go off the rails a bit in these posts and get all abstract up in this blog.
How many times do we need to be smacked in the head with the harsh realities of life before we stop looking up?
Faces are pretty cool, don't you think? They're all so detailed and full of interesting language that we are hard wired to interpret and connect with. I love it whenever I hear a thing about how as humans, we're pre-disposed to see faces in random configurations of shapes. Turns out that it's useful for us to recognise two eyes and a mouth when we're out in the wild; especially the ones that want to eat us.
After spending a while indulging the random tangents that enter my head, I think it's probably best to try and bring it all back down to earth. I mean, the reason I indulge any thought process, is that I feel it's worth exploring, as it influences the work. Sure, this is meant to focus on developing creativity and art, but I think it's hard to do that without acknowledging the environment that surrounds us.
Earlier this week I spent a moment stopped in my tracks thinking about the difference between two binary descriptors. Honestly, I can't remember what the words were, but they might as well have been anything as it sparked a thought excursion into the world of binary relationships in language where no middle identifier exists; so let's ramble.
Maybe I've been spending too much time around friends and family who are teachers or studying to be teachers, but I've been thinking a lot about a "growth mindset". I mean, it's basically the philosophy behind these posts, so it's not a giant leap to consider such a thing.
One of the most common things I end up thinking about when I write these posts is how time keeps moving, no matter what. It doesn't mind whether we contemplate existential conundrums, or furiously manifest creations; there's no such thing as stopping a constant. So when I think about reaching a moment of clarity that will inform my future, it isn't without a sense of irony that it took some time to realise that time must not be wasted.
If I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life, it would be sushi. When I say "sushi" I mean everything that could be considered a part of that family; like sashimi, nori, nigiri, and any other kind of sushi that fits the category. As far as I'm concerned, it's the food of the gods and combines the decadence of delicious flavour, with the humility of perfect balance and portions. It's the best, without exception.
We're about to see the six month mark for these weekly updates, so maybe it's worth having a little ponder over it all. Sometimes things take turns where we least expect it, but how has this process changed and adapted to the reality of making it happen?
What a week we've had here in the little old south of Aus; where the rain has continued to beat down with wind and storms and… well it's been a bit wild and wooly all up. I've had to put off a couple of small painting related things that need to be done outdoors, for fear of everything blowing away and spreading wet colours throughout the land. Good thing I love winter.
One day I'll get the hang of actually writing these posts before they need to be posted, because right now I tend to remember on Sunday night and type away until it's basically too late. Never you mind though, as I've just about finished posting old sketches and doodles, so the thrill of new material will hopefully get these words down on time in future posts.
I always find it interesting to consider the relationship between an artist and their work. I often try to consider art for its own merits, as I also like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Fame is a weird mind flood that leaves a lot of people feeling like they know someone they've never met, and attributing value to that non-existent relationship in an irrational way.
This week is a bunch of completely random old doodles I found while going through some old books. There's something extremely satisfying about getting all your notebooks together and seeing which ones still have space for more thoughts.
So I've been thinking about where style comes from and what (if any) are the pre-requisites to defining style. I don't mean the concept of having style; rather creating a particular recognisable style that permeates its way through your work. You know how you can pick a Picasso just by looking at it most of the time, that kind of style. Not the kind that you buy at a shop and wear for a few months before donating it to the local op-shop.
This week has definitely been one of highs and lows, where the lows seem to be winning more than I'd probably like. I'm not sure what the word is, but it must be something about how good it can feel to be hit down, as the only way is up. I often find that loss is followed by revelation and a significant influx of inspiration, so maybe that's a good thing?
I was pretty close to skipping this week altogether, as my sketchbooks have been neglected this week in favour of other things. Most of the time I can prattle on and find something to write about, so I thought this week I'd substitute the pens and pencils for something a bit closer to the blog.
It's that time of year again when everything E3 hits the internets for another annual indulgence of video game hype. Not to mention the unrivaled corporate shilling PR spin that knocks you sideways while all these companies talk about how much they love us. It's nice to think that there are corporations out there that actually care… for the money we spend.
Don't you love how creativity can take so many different forms? It's like there's a never ending pool of fascination to dive into and explore. This week I actually have some doodles that I can talk about directly as they're a realistic example of how useful a doodle can be.
Isn't it strange how it seems to be only when we make plans that those plans get diverted for unpredictable priorities?! It's probably redundant to say so, as it's only noticeable when something gets in the way, like how you find your keys in the last place you look… because you stop looking once they're found. Never fear though, we muddle along regardless with a blissful ignorance to alternative diversions.