First snow is not really relevant since we’re coming up on Memorial Day weekend, but First Snow is what happened when I created this grunge art journal spread. I made a video of it that you can watch. I added so many layers that it got really interesting, (almost a page ready to be cut up for some other project.) But I think I saved it. Judge for yourself.
I already posted back in the fall of ’15 about painting ugly. Here are some more thoughts about that.
If you’re like me, art holds certain standards for us. We try so many methods and techniques; we compare ourselves to others. Some styles we like some we don’t. It’s hard to know which style suits you the best.
Have you ever tried just being yourself as you approach art? Forget about the rules and be free, like kids fearlessly showing up at the empty page. Paint outside the box! To reach the true core of who we are involves a lot of unlearning or ignoring what we know. Unlearning is deeply satisfying, yet it can be hard to let go and allow the art to be what it wants to be.
Like you I make a decent painting and art journal spreads, and I’m proud and happy about the results. When it comes to spontaneity however, it can be very frustrating since we’re always striving for results.
My aim for this FREE micro workshop is to give you space to be yourself, to wait and see what will come onto the page without you pushing anything.
What I get from this kind of art is a sense of Self. I can actually recognize my own energy in the art. It has a very intimate feel to it, and I find it addictive to paint in this way. I also receive sudden insights and messages about the state I’m in at the time of painting. This particular spread in the video turned out happy, and it’s a state I’m in a lot, but others that I’ve done are dark and dreary. The tendency is to rip out those kinds of pages, but to honor myself, I also have to honor my darker, more destructive side. Usually, I don’t like showing those pages to people. They are basic and pretty ugly. It’s like trying anything new and unknown, you just have to immerse yourself in it to find out the truth about it.
I invite you to explore.
I invite you to leave all your knowledge at the door and explore you inner self.
I invite you to paint “ugly,” unfettered like a child.
I invite you to meet your inner self without fear.
I invite you to sit through the discomfort.
I invite you to break through to the “fire.”
Are you willing to take this trip with me?
All you need is an art journal page, or a watercolor sheet, or even a canvas. Whatever you have on hand, and you need some paint, brushes, and markers. That is all. You can even use colored pencils, pencils, ballpoint pens, and oil pastels. There are no rules.
If you want to share your work, please join my Facebook group. HERE.
I need to point out that your art will be completely different from mine! The video will show the process I go through and you’ll get an idea how to go about it. And then you can make your own art spread. YES!
Access the FREE micro workshop Ugly is Ok! HERE.
I also did an Ugly is Ok! 2 a month later. To view, click HERE.
Now go and paint something ugly! 🙂
xo
Maria
Art Tripping, what is that?
It does not have anything to do with illegal substances. Tripping can mean many things since English is a tricky language. However, in this case it means to take an actual journey.
I have been wanting in the worst way to go on a trip for a while now, but timing has not been good. That’s my excuse anyway.
So, I decided to do some art journaling around a virtual trip. I chose four locations, the city, the beach, the forest, and the desert. Those parts are all inspiring to me. I decided to make it a bargain e-course so that more people can afford it. The course will last four weeks, and the videos are quick and easy. Personally, I like fast videos since I don’t want to slog through four or five in an online class. The e-course starts on April, 18.
Here is the cityscape and the beach pictures from the class. Your art will look completely different, but that’s the challenge.
A pretty grungy cityscape and a happy bright beach picture… through the lens of my eyes.
You can check out Art Tripping for yourself. CLICK HERE.
I hope you join me for this virtual journey. It would be nice to have a busload of people!
Happy creating,
xo
Maria