How to kick start your eyes to actively look

  I want to share with you a way of keeping your thinking skills in top form. Just like the rest of your body, your eye/ brain connection needs regular exercise to work at optimum performance.

The best thing, is that you can do this anywhere with anything, just bring along your perception and focus. This is the first of 13 creative thinking tools as defined by Robert and Michele Root-Bernstein in their book “Sparks of Genius”.

1. Choose an object or a place that you are interested in learning more about.
2. Discern as much as you can about how it looks, color, shape, form, texture, size, line.
3. Even take notes, a photo. Make a sketch.
4. Also identify other sensations that you notice, such as particular sounds like in the space, , smells, what it feels like to be in the space. Identify what it reminds you of. re there any memories associated with it? Are there historical connections? Document all observations.
5. A journal is a good place to put tis information in case you should want to reference it in the future.

You have just done a little exercise that does not involve a specific time, place or fee. You are exploring something that is interesting to you. In the process you are  exercising your creativity, memory, intellectual capacity to make connections. This will help you to become more confident in your own observations.

These skills are essential for artists, musicians, scientists, writer, historians, teachers, students and doctors.

So carry your little journal with you and give your creative mind a workout. You will be surprised at how much more you notice about life! And don’t forget to let me know how it works for you. What did you learn?

Where do we get new ideas?

 

trees by bvw

 

 

As I work in my studio, I have begun to list all of the ideas that waft through my mind when I am just waking in the morning, walking, participating in a conversation, and reflecting afterwards. I have decided to look through my main journal and then write the main ideas down in small color coordinated Moleskine  journals.  I think that is my equivalent of the box system that Twyla Tharp mentions.  Apparently, she creates a box for each concept that she is interested in developing, and begins to fill the box with anything that could possibly expand that idea. I like the organizational structure. Now when I have an idea, drawing, connection, metaphor that relates to my concept, I will have a place to put it where I can easily reference it!

I follow the blog of Clara Lieu, an artist and teacher, who I have never met, but discovered  online, while looking for references to dealing with transparent layers, which I work with in my art. She has amazing work, is consistent in her way of working, and extremely articulate at describing her process. Reading her blog is a unique opportunity to get to know her rendition of the creative process. Definitely worth following!     http://www.claralieu.com/work/digging/index.html

I found this link on her blog concerning new ideas..Try it!

 And as Twyla recommends, write/draw things down before they are forgotten!

Creating within a ritual of space & time

Consciously searching my room as I lay awake before dawn, I create a ritual which I find comfort in following. I look while still quiet.  Get up and stay warm, perform morning rituals and then meditate and do a few yoga stretches. It allows me the space and  peace of mind to allow the brush to follow the memory of vigils more closely. Vigils is the time before dawn, when it is still dark and all the world is quiet.   I am  inspired to  put down the colors and shadows that we see and focus on the moment in color and shadow. I paint by candlelight to be sensitive to the tonal quality of my brush strokes. 

vigils2a work in prog

 

 

Vigils 1a in progress

Elizabeth Gilbert’s observations and rereading Twyla Tharp’s “The Creative Habit” have bolstered me as I wade through this period of time when I find no familiar landmarks in my working. This structure of my practice seems to allow an easier flow. 

It is sometimes difficult to balance inner and outer life, but maintaining a balance seems to aid the flow of ideas. I guess what I’m saying is that world responsibilities sometimes trump the inner call until finding quiet time and space allows that inner spirit to be.

Inspiring interiors, rejuvenating everyday routine!

Have you ever been caught unawares by the sunlight falling over an ordinary corner of the room?  In its path of revelation, colors and shadows that you never noticed become apparent.  The air is electric with expectation and time slows down so you can drink it in. 

                 Then you wonder , which is the real place and time?   What has allowed you to notice the lively energy and vivid colors? How can you save this memory? How can you see past your daily routines, allowing light, time and space to open another view of the ordinary?

Pierre Bonnard, in the current exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “The Late Still Lives and Interiors”, shows us the results of his attention to daily routine.  A breathtaking exhibition that brought tears to my eyes in its simplicity  and grace!  A show not to be missed! it will help you to see beyond the mundane!

interior dining room by Bonnard

dining room on the garden

Trusting the validity of your visual memory !

Right now I am beginning to work on a new series!                                                                                                                                                              I approached it tentatively because I wasn’t sure I could remember the essence of the moment…I am glad I trusted myself!

unquiet by bvw

 

 

protective embrace by bvw

 

The “gathering” series is drawn from memory onto paper layered gently with graphite.

I draw first with an eraser, leaving white paper and then go back in with graphite.      

I will probably develop paintings from these ideas!

Hesitation to trust intuition is more visibly apparent in the process of making art, yet it occurs in many life moments.  Let me know if this is your experience…or not!                

wary by beth vendryes williams

Vacations work on “kairos” time!

on the road

It felt like a week away, but it was only two days!

“Kairos” time is determined not by the amount of time you spend, but by your presence and focus. Sometimes when I am painting, a lot can happen in a half an hour and it seems like a couple of hours: or I can paint for two hours and it can feel like 10 minutes! So the quantity of time according to the clock means nothing!  I first heard about this kairos time in one of Madeleine L’Engle’s books.  I believe it was in “A Wrinkle in Time”.

In good company, I traveled with my dear sister on the ferry on a beautiful day! The distant mist, bright sunshine and constant breeze created an atmosphere of relaxed kairos time. I gathered my pencils to draw and paint in my journal.

The tree and the roadway are both memory journal sketches. You will see a drawing from a young artist friend here also!

Reading “the power of NOW” by Eckardt Tolle, inspires and reminds me to draw  and be fully present in the now moment as well.  Try it…. Whether you paint or cook or plant flowers or enjoy he sun and breeze!

Remembering one moment in time…

late afternoon company

It is early on a beautiful rainy day, dark and enveloping, chilly , yet I am fortunate enough to be able to wrap myself in warmth! I face the blank paper and draw out from my mind a memory of yesterday, a reflection on one small moment in time. Its importance lies in recognizing the dignity of each person and the need for allowing the spirit time and space for quietness. I am surprised at how much I actually recall! Remembering imagery and relationships between colors, shapes, lines and values seems to get better with consistent practice and and focused intention during each day. For instance, I “bookmark” key moments in my head as they happen and store them for future reference.