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MILAM STUDIOS - A FINE PLACE FOR GREAT ART
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CREATIVITY
KEEPING THAT CREATIVE SPARK
That special uniqueness that is in all of us, that special creative spark, will flare and burn brightly, if nourished properly. All forms of art are dependent upon the creativeness of the originator or performer, they are non-existant without the dreamer. No two works can ever be the same, this artist/creator, brings different thoughts, ideas/ideals, dreams, and visions to any creative work of art.
The materials to be used, are totally dependent upon the dreamer's hand and mind. Their uniqueness rests in the artists search and discovery process; search of self, search of his environment. It is through exploration and experimentation that we keep, nourish and expand our talents, ambitions, desires and creativeness.
Whole volumes have been written about nurturing the creative spark. Creativeness can be learned, cultivated and expanded. An artist must work at being creative and they keep the creative edge by doing. Here is a list of exercises designed to help.
- Try new colors
- Paint with a limited palette-use a few colors
- Paint with only one color
- Apply paint and then with a credit card -scrape portions of paint out
- Apply paint with a painting knife.
- Buy the large box of crayolas and just scribble
- Paint, draw or scribble with your eyes closed
- Paint without drawing or thinking-just paint
- Cut up magazine photos and arrange on a small 5x7cardboard-make a simple design.
- Dilute watercolor or poster paint and pour on the paper. Let dry and see what you can find.
- Take art classes
- Join the local art league
- Participate in local art shows
- Cultivate creative friends
- Hang out at the art galleries
- Go to the art shows and talk with the artists.
- It’s amazing what an afternoon at the local art gallery will do to jump start your imagination!
- Go to the library, it's a treasure trove of books on painting and making things.
- Clean the studio
- Set up a studio-even if it's just a table area
- Collect magazine photos to stir your imagination
- Go through art books, clip out the art work that inspires you and put them in a scrapbook.
Refer to them when you need inspiration.
- Teach your area neighborhood children how to draw
- Teach a class at the senior citizens center
- Dribble ink on dry watercolor paper
- Dribble ink on wet watercolor paper-blow ink with a straw
- Blast a dry watercolor painting with the water hose
- Get your material organized-disorder rarely is inspirational.
- Glue different papers and found objects to a support, try gluing the following:
- If you can get the object to stay glued, anything can go on your canvas or paper
cardboard - wire - nails - netting - foil - paper - plastic - toys - magazine photos - leaves.Taking a weekly art class is a great way to keep your enthusiasm revved. Also painting with a group that is on your level will help you grow as an artist. The isolation required of an artist can cause us to become ingrown and stunted. There must be a healthy balance of time alone to work and time to socalize and be with others of like mindedness.
Wm. W. Woollcott said: In art I pull no high-brow stuff, I know what I like, and that's enough.
Author : Kay Milam
Copyright -2003
All Rights Reserved
Kay Milam is an artist/teacher, lecturer and painting demonstrator.
For art lessons go to Milam Studios.com
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