learningIT

I was inspired by this video to try something new with my artwork (thanks Craig R for sharing it). Though it is good to develop personal style, I find myself doing the same thing over and over. With time on my hands I gave the technique a go a few days ago.

The premise is to be influenced through music to explore creativity. I chose “In Sickness and in Health” by The Legendary Pink Dots from their The Whispering Wall album. I had no plan in mind and simply went with it, playing the song over and over for about an hour until the work was complete. It’s harder than it sounds and I doubted myself throughout the whole experience.

My goal was to simply break out of my comfort zone and explore new possibilities and various techniques that I usually don’t use. I used graphite, pastel, ink, coffee, charcoal, gouache, watercolour and collage.

The final piece itself is not a work of art, but a document of an exploration process, something newer art students may struggle with. I recorded the process in the video below and sped it up reducing it from fifty minutes to approximately three (you may also click the photo to take you to the Flickr page).

I love seeing things like this on other blogs and magazines. I find them quite insightful. It gives you a sense of a person’s work flow, their source of process, creativity and inspiration. Pictured is what I like to call my “studio.” Most people probably would call it ‘the computer room.’ Studio sounds much more impressive though. Even the font and text looks better. Art supplies are stored (hidden) in the shelving units etc. This is the magical place where I produce art and…uh…use the computer. Hmm, that fell kind of flat.

Of course, it can double as a guest room, storage and ironing room too! (Wait, that’s more than double isn’t it?) Naturally, space is always an issue here in Japan and I am considered blessed by my Japanese friends to have such a space and room. (My first apartment in my mid 20s was about as big as this entire room!)

You may click both photos to enlarge them.

Another interesting site for artists is The Tools Artists Use. Give it a look. Think I’ll go take a break now since I had to clean and hide all the mess just to take 2 pictures! If you have your studio photographed, I’d like to see it. UPDATE: check out the Inspiring Workplaces group on Flickr.