::VERONICA FUNK::
  • Journal
  • Portfolio
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Portraits >
      • Woman's Work
      • Extraordinary Women
      • The Grandmothers
      • Wunderland
      • Nasty Women
      • Heroes
      • Ahead of Their Time
    • 52 WEEKS >
      • Wildlife
      • Wildflowers
      • Storytellers
      • Gratitude
    • Fashion Plates
    • Sacred Vessel
    • Simple Pleasures
    • Altered Books
    • Free Art Resources
  • Galleries
  • eCourses
  • Login
    • Painting Animals
    • Painting Art Journals
    • Painting Backgrounds
    • Painting Bees
    • Painting Canoes
    • Painting CityScapes
    • Painting Flowers
    • Painting Hearts & Houses
    • Painting Landscapes
    • Painting Portraits
  • Contact

How to be Creative

4/12/2013

 
Picture
Awhile ago I read an article on how to be creative.  I wrote down a few points that I tend to follow myself:

1. Limit your tools - do this by first focusing on one form of media and even substrate...not to say that you shouldn't experiment but it is such a good practice to create a body of work. At different times I even utilized only one size of canvas while limiting my palette to primary colours + white.  It's a great way to stretch those creative muscles.

2. Don't listen to others - keep your work close to your heart for awhile...feedback is nice but not until you're confidant in what you do.  One of the hardest things to do is to listen to that still, small voice inside that really knows what you should do...pay attention to what draws your attention.

3. Create a routine - and if possible, a space that you can leave your work-in-progress and materials without having to put them away.  There are days I don't feel like painting but I will pop into my studio and look for awhile...which leads to just doing one thing...which leads to a couple of hours of happy work without even realizing.  When I worked full time I got up at 6:00 am every day to paint for an hour before getting ready to head out the door.  I still do that most days but fortunately I now get to paint for several hours each day.

4. Don't worry about perfection - this is a tough one.  Sometimes we tend to compare ourselves to others, which is not a good thing.  We each have our own skills, talents, experiences and genetic make-up so of course we will be different.  And that's a beautiful thing.

5. Ignore trends - trends are created by doing something new and different.  And in this ever-changing fast-paced world they come and go very quickly.  It's good to focus on what you love, what catches your own eye and heart...and create your own trends.

6. Let go of the past - this can be a tough one...I know.  I painted chairs for many, many years and then took a sabatical, which included not painting in acrylics at all.  I experimented with different media and subject matter and after a couple of years came back to the chairs because it was comfortable.  It was okay, but I had lost my passion for it, so I'm glad that I finally took the leap to allow myself to do whatever it was that interested me.  And it's been a very good thing.  Now I'm loving what I do all over again.

Comments are closed.
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Journal
  • Portfolio
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Portraits >
      • Woman's Work
      • Extraordinary Women
      • The Grandmothers
      • Wunderland
      • Nasty Women
      • Heroes
      • Ahead of Their Time
    • 52 WEEKS >
      • Wildlife
      • Wildflowers
      • Storytellers
      • Gratitude
    • Fashion Plates
    • Sacred Vessel
    • Simple Pleasures
    • Altered Books
    • Free Art Resources
  • Galleries
  • eCourses
  • Login
    • Painting Animals
    • Painting Art Journals
    • Painting Backgrounds
    • Painting Bees
    • Painting Canoes
    • Painting CityScapes
    • Painting Flowers
    • Painting Hearts & Houses
    • Painting Landscapes
    • Painting Portraits
  • Contact