What Artists Do in Their Free Time (Spring edition)

A few months ago, I wrote about refilling my inspirational well by taking a course in outdoorsmanship. It was an invigorating experience that challenged me physically and mentally, giving me energy to complete 14 paintings (mostly pet portraits) over the Winter. That experience will continue to inform my work as I use the skills I learned to bring me closer to the animals I love to paint. However, this Spring, I began to feel like my work was missing something - that intangible thing that comes from the ether, through me, onto the canvas, and reaches out to others. I realized I needed to refill my well with something more spiritually and creatively challenging, so I signed up for the Creative Visionary Program! (and I've got the T-shirt to prove it!)

The Creative Visionary Program (CVP) is a 12-week online course created by artist Nicolas Wilton, comprised of recorded videos, printed material, exercises, and live trainings. The first couple of weeks are dedicated to remembering why you make art in the first place: what lights you up inside (people, places, environments, etc.), what flavors your art (colors, textures, shapes, etc.), what are you passionate about, and what do you want more of in your life? I quickly realized I needed to move from my big sunroom studio to a small spare bedroom where I could close the door and be alone with my thoughts.

And in addition to my regular journaling, I began keeping an almost-daily painting journal - quick paintings that begin with a scribble and end in what I found there. They're not great works of art, but only meant to keep my mind and hand engaged with each other.

The next few weeks are dedicated to the principles of art: value (as in dark to light contrast), design, color, and texture. A lot of this is "going back to basics," but as I learned after my back surgery, sometimes you need to take a few steps back before you can go forward. Also, I didn't have traditional training in painting, so I learned some new things as well.

I've already taken what I've learned to rework some paintings and the difference is amazing!

I'm currently in week 7 of the course and already feeling a shift inside. I'm honestly not sure what my work will look like when I get to the end. My style or subject matter may change, or maybe they'll stay the same but have more impact. The work will be different, or I will be different... or both! Most importantly, I hope you can see and feel the change and that you like what you see. 💜

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