Senses and creativity

At the moment I am reading this book by Gretchen Rubin: "Life in five senses: how exploring the senses got me out of my head and into the world". It tells how being aware of your senses (smell, touch, sight, taste and hearing) gives depth and focus to your life. She investigates each sense separately and gives herself assignments to see what it does to her and her senses. So the first thing she decided to do was to step into that nearby Museum every day. In the beginning the Museum has so many things to offer but after a while you start to notice other things: that one painting which draws your attention every time, or the beautiful displays or the sound of the visitors or that specific smell... etcetera. You notice things. 

And for me, this is so closely related to creativity and to making art. To paint, you look. To paint, you imagine. To paint, you feel (structures, softness) and you translate it to your work. And it works the other way around: when you create, you start noticing your senses, and you train your senses.

My interest into Senses has started through creating, but organizing an exhibition on Plants in the Bible and their significance drew my attention even more. So I am just deepening my knowledge and this book has been interesting and fun to read.

ART market June 8th

This Saturday, June 8th, I will be at an ARTmarket in Harderwijk. They are setting up a market in the style of Montmartre in Paris. So all artists will present their work and will be active making work on the spot. I am looking forward to show my work and to meet art-loving people. And I hope to be drawing small portraits if I have the time.

Find more info on Aaltjesdagen, the market is open 10-17.30 hours and weather predictions are good :).

Magic circus

A couple of weeks ago a Circus group came into town and set up camp. This does not happen very often anymore, so I got of my bike and made some pictures. 

I like the happy vibe the colours are giving and I'll probably use it in a painting.

The circus stayed for three days, entertaining lots of children, and then they moved on. A funny detail I saw: the employees were taking a break and were fishing in the nearby waterstream. Just be content with what there is and what you have...

 

Blue...s

Trying to find the right blue for my forget-me-nots... I used watercolour by Winsor and Newton but my blues were too dark, so I mixed and diluted with water until I found the right one. And so I spent an hour making handpainted cards to sell in my studio. 

I glue these mixing palettes in my sketchbook, they are a great reminder of the process.

Apple tree blossom: part 2

 Another post on the apple tree, I continued with the painting and it turned out like this:

I gave it more depth and worked on the background. I also highlighted the blossom with some white touches. But I looked for a different interpretation and started the next one of the same apple tree and it turned out totally different:

The purple background (because why not?) gives it a sort of magical glow. I think I am looking for my interpretation and what spikes my interest. The last one is more me I think. Let's see what comes next...

One colour

 A small square sketchbook lies at my desk, and a whole tin full of colour pencils. So I made a page with some quick compositions for still-life, in blue. I sometimes make art in one colour, I find it challenging and I like it.

This is for instance a soft pastel crayon drawing I made in mint green:

And so the creating continues.

The Studio window: apple tree blossom

From my studio window I look out onto the vegetable patch. You see the seasons passing by. There are also some fruit trees and at the moment the apple tree is in full blossom. So I decided to give it a go and paint this tree.

I made a composition and this is the process half way.

I have now finished it, but am debating with myself whether I should put some pencil or crayon marks on it. Or maybe do something else to it, I think I am going to look at Van Gogh's paintings and learn from them. The process continues...