WHY STUDIO PRACTICE?

Suzanne’s studio in Sebastopol, CA.

“All the best ideas come out of the process;


they come out of the work itself.”

— Chuck Close

I am very fortunate to have a wonderfully light filled large dedicated art studio (above) right outside my front door. Showing up every day to create is Studio Practice. Let’s take a closer look at what my Studio Practice is all about.

Basically, my Studio Practice is my individual ideas, subject matter, conceptual possibilities, influences and inspiration and the style of my work dependent on the period of time in which I am working.

It is important to me to include time to literally “practice” my mark making skills, work on ways to accomplish my ideas, explore new techniques, materials, ways of working, color palettes, and time to get into my own rhythms and flow. It is not about producing finished paintings everyday fast, like artists show on Instagram. It is about keeping at it, taking the time necessary, not rushing the process, and being mindful, sensing and intuiting step by step, being in the unknown.

I spend time exploring, developing, refining, resolving, and preparing for presentations. And, I do these steps over and over and over so that they are fluid, natural and spontaneous for me. This is what makes my art ready to go into the world, to be seen, received and appreciated by others. It is a lot of work—- an inward exploration of my deepest desires, finding my truths and expressing them authentically and skillfully. It takes time. It takes courage and curiosity. It requires patience, contemplation, risk taking, compassion and love.

Studio Practice is the backbone of my artistic journey in painting.

If you are an artist, what is your Studio Practice about?

Please feel free to email me with your thoughts and questions.

THANK YOU!

ENJOY ABSTRACT ART

Madeline Denaro

Are you curious about abstract art in order to purchase a piece for your home, do you have a desire to learn abstract art, or are you bewildered by it altogether? Here are a few ways to increase your appreciation and understanding of how to view and enjoy abstract art.

Abstract Art is viewed differently than referential art. Often there is no obvious subject. Try these steps when viewing:

1. Stand quietly in front of an abstract art image. Relax your analytic thought processes as much as possible. Allow the image to affect you and be ready to “step in” a new experience, ie, the world of the artist.

2. Experience the energy of the painting. Let that feeling well up and connect with you in your body and heart. Be curious to explore the image with your senses and intuition.

3. Notice where the energy of the painting engages your own feelings, memories, moods, and thoughts. Notice if it arouses your own imagination.

4. Notice shapes and colors and their relationships and interactions. Notice the interplay between light and dark and the depth of the painting.

5. Notice how you are led around the image.

6. Notice patterns, rhythms, mood of the painting. Let curiosity be your guide.

7. Be enriched and nourished by the experience knowing that it was created by an artist who wants to share their world with you. You may be able to learn about the artist’s intentions, inspirations, cultural background, artist philosophy, etc. This will enhance your connection to the artist and the art.

You are not going to resonate with all abstract art and that is natural. But, in doing so, you will learn more about what you like and don’t like. Even that can give you an experience that may expand your ideas and world view.

Abstract Art can be a powerful way to release energy, be soothed and comforted or experience edginess, learn about own likes, dislikes and imagination and give you new ways to look at your life and the world.

Thanks for reading my Blog. I am a full time abstract painter and teacher. If you want to learn or augment your own practice of abstract art, check out my current Classes and Workshops or hire me as your mentori.

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WHAT DO ALL PAINTINGS HAVE IN COMMON?

Have you guessed it?

From the beginning of the history of painting, the one thing that is true: all paintings are made up of marks.

As humans, we start making marks as soon as we can hold a pencil or a paint brush. Generally, between the ages of 2 and 3, the marks children make in this way start to have meaning. They use them as a way to share their thoughts and feelings, giving new insights into their lives that they didn't have before.

Wow! Our mark making talents are developed right along with our ability to speak and make sentences to give meaning to our world.

That is exciting news! Mark making is natural to us and we all do it. Each mark is unique to the person making it in meaning and expression of it.

As artists, we become fascinated with mark making and making meaningful images with them. We fall in love with marks and spend our lives pursuing them.

Want to explore your own marks? Check out my Abstract Art Classes and workshops. I help people express their heart’s desires through their own intuitive mark making. You can find all about my classes at www.LivingYourWildCreativity.com.

THE LIFE OF AN ARTIST

Over and over, painting is about getting into the studio and working. It is repetitive in some ways but it never gets old and each day is a new day, full of possibilities, full of curiosity, full of the unknown.

I thought I would share this video, “Getting in the Studio” that I made to inspire ARTLab Members. Enjoy! And, if you are an artist, let me know your ways of staying motivated, excited, and ready to work.

Thank you…

for reading my Blog. I am happy you are here! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter if you are interested in my classes, workshops, and art shows.