Inside my studio there are piles of 'Studio Journals' - aka my sketchbooks, scrapbooks, and notebooks all rolled into one. I have over 25 years years of these beauties that I use daily in my art practice.
They are my treasure and my pleasure.
When I started working with 'Studio Journals' rather than sketchbooks, they liberated and changed how I approached my painting, for the good.
By creating a Studio Journal I create a personal document recording insights, thoughts and best bits from rough work, ideas, and sometimes even actual sketches.
These journals are so much more than a sketchbook - an entirely different animal. I think the practice of keeping a studio journal is one of the three important foundations of being a successful artist. (the other two are colour and drawing - or line as I refer to it, as it sounds less scary!)
These books are the playground in which your creativity can hang out, a place where you can
tune in and develop the practice of noticing what you notice as well as a place to record these insights.
Like the mark of a fine pen? write it in there.
Prefer ultramarine to cyan? paint it in there.
Like a little bit of the colour mixing you did? tear it off the sheet and stick it in your journal.
Like that painting by Rothko? paste it in here, and write, write, write about it in there.
All these little breadcrumbs, all these sparks of 'yeses' are gold for you and your creativity. It really is the key to your creativity.
Start keeping a studio journal and you'll find that it is a route map to the easiest way of making your best art.
Never run out of ideas
Keep motivated
Aspire to your best art
But the really smart and fun part of these journals is the fact that they liberate your expression. They are not precious, don't need to be perfect, they are dumping grounds for your ideas. Having said that they become very precious and the more you fill them, you'll find that they contain your gold.
I've made a film as part of my monthly tutorial "Studio Sessions" that gives an insight into my own Studio Journals and shows you a step-by-step guide to creating and keeping your own.
You can find info about the recording here,
January marks the start of my teaching year. Teaching creativity and painting is one of my greatest ongoing pleasures. I am happy that I can count many successful, professional artists amongst those who have joined me in classes and workshops and many, many more who have joined me and now have confidence in their ability to make and enjoy making their own unique art.
Each January I welcome people to my free taster Just Paint January workshop (www.helenelliott.net/workshops) and each January a new term on my weekly online Art Class resumes. I also get a kick from planning the next year's classes.
I'd love you to join me and develop the joy of your own creativity. I've been teaching for over 25 years and am still learning. Join me in this adventure www.helenelliott.net/workshops
INTENTION, ATTENTION, ATTITUDE
THE TRUTH IS that the technical knowledge of paint and its physical application is only a small, but essential part, of being a happy, successfully creative painter, literally the tip of the iceberg.
The evidence is clear - anyone can learn the simple process of applying paint to canvas. What I’m interested in is the rest of the iceberg. I like to think of this iceberg as being a balance between our intention our attention and our attitude.
In artistic terms, our intention is the part that we always see, the tip, the “how to paint” part. We intend to develop our knowledge and skills in the use of paint. What supports us in doing this is the ability to develop our awareness of what we choose to pay attention to, in other words, what inspires us. Add to this our attitude - our mindset - which includes being brave, being committed, staying curious and grateful and voila - before you know it there's a very fertile field for creativity to grow.
CREATIVE CONFIDENCE
I believe that creativity, in all its forms, comes from a very deep-down desire to communicate. In trying to do so - as with trying to communicate in any language - there will be some thrills when you understand what’s being said and others understand you; and
quite a few lows when you’re not understood at all and feel you may as well give in. However, if you prepare yourself with psychological tools for your creative adventure with the same care that you use to choose your paint and the same dedication you give to learning ‘how to paint’ with your physical tools, then your path will be smoother and easier.
For example, if you use old, cheap paint and thin paper, it will be hard to get good results. Choose professional quality paint, add a good canvas, a warm well-lit place to work and you will increase the chances of success immediately.
Well, you know that the same applies to attitude - our psychological preparation, it’s not hard, and unlike some top-quality paint, it costs no money, only a little time and thoughtfulness.
‘If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.’
Marc Chagall
Authenticity comes from
attention
All creative works have in common a randomness, making it improbable that two people would independently paint the same painting, ever. No truly creative expression-will ever be inauthentic. Finding, developing and accessing your own art is easy - as easy as it is to be yourself.
You are a unique - never been seen before and never to be seen again - amazing individual. Only you can paint like you. A one-off in the whole history of time. Making
unique and authentic art is not some dark art that takes years of introspection. All it takes is time, commitment, and a belief in yourself. And because you are creative, this will be a doddle and you’ll have a blast doing it.
And here’s how. Just find the things that you like to look at.
Then find some more things you like to look at and then some more.
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
Dr Seuss
As December dawns and the frosty mornings sprinkle stars on the hard ground, there's a joy in closing the curtains and curling up.
A beautiful seasonal slowing down, a time for painting, reading, and dreaming.
Wintering
I bought myself a book, 'Wintering' by Katherine May
“I recognized winter.,,.
“I recognized winter. I saw it coming (a mile off, since you ask), and I looked it in the eye. I greeted it and let it in. I had some tricks up my sleeve, you see. I've learned them the hard way. When I started feeling the drag of winter, I began to treat myself like a favored child: with kindness and love. I assumed my needs were reasonable and that my feelings were signals of something important. I kept myself well-fed and made sure I was getting enough sleep. I took myself for walks in the fresh air and spent time doing things that soothed me. I asked myself: What is this winter all about? I asked myself: What change is coming?” ― Katherine May, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
Hard Frosts
So beautiful, visually, a feast for the eyes. So harsh on nature, forcing the last leaves to fall, and growth to stall. The animal instinct in us knows to retreat. It's in our DNA and our grandmother's wisdom. But just as in autumn we know winter is coming, in winter we know spring is coming.
Dark Nights
Embracing the sometimes scary darkness of winter.
Turning off the noise, creating space for the dark.
Accepting the slowing down and welcoming the wisdom of winter.
Full Moons
The moons this winter seem to have been bigger, more illuminating, enchanting, expanding. Clear seeing, knowing that the work and the gathering done in the summer months will nourish and sustain until the spring.
Coming home .... and Fat Badgers
On my way home, a rare glimpse of a fluffed-up fat badger as he snuffled along the lane.
He makes me smile.