Monday, December 29, 2008

The New Year Approaches


Today was another day spent creating new monotypes. I did not have a particularly productive day. Some days you just don't have the "spark". Today was like that for me. To be honest, I think today I had the "uglies". Everything I did seemed ugly. Which, of course, is not a nice feeling. I do think there might be one monotype that I like, but then again, maybe not. It's okay. I still am glad I got a chance to be in the studio. You never know what might come out of days like today. I have also noticed that sometimes at the end of the day I hate everything I did, but when I go back in a day or two, I find that the work is better than I thought. So maybe that's what will happen. I hope. I hope.

The holiday for me was fun. A little quiet. My husband is gone until January 7th, and no celebration is quite the same without him. I was fortunate to have friends who invited me to celebrate with them, so I wasn't completely alone. I don't mind being alone, actually. I get my best art done when I have alone time. It's good to have friends, too. I will never complain about friends!!! I think it's hard for others to understand how valuable my solitude is to me. I seem to need the quiet in order to really find the deep parts of my creativity. It is hard to explain, but I really have to climb into myself. (if that makes any sense)

Here is another monotype from last week. It measures 8 x 10 inches, and so far the title is "Three Gold Spheres". I might change the title.


I am not feeling eloquent, so I will put an end to this post. Maybe tomorrow the words (and the good art) will flow like water from a spring.

10 comments:

Amy Schimler-Safford said...

Happy New Year Karine. I do think it is not uncommon for artist's to struggle with the solitude/social balance. Your words really do resonate and it makes perfect sense to need the quiet spaces in which to create. You are not alone!

By the way, I love this print that you posted.

High Desert Diva said...

Lovin' Three Gold Spheres...

Alone time is sooooo important!

Archie and Melissa said...

Hi Karine!
I love your monotypes!
Happy New Year my friend!
xo
Melissa

pRiyA said...

whatever you have explained in this post, you've done really well. i know what you mean by the importance of solitude but it is wonderful to know friends are there. also one is never alone with the pet around - pono for you, cindy for me.
i was told that in the US and Canada there are lots of postal holidays unlike here, so it looks like you will get my card only next year.

Patty said...

Karine, I sympathize. Perhaps the 'uglies' was beng passed around yesterday as my studio time wasn't too much fun either. Ah well. Despite the frustration, we'll be right back at it, won't we!
Happy New Year!

Peggi Habets Studio said...

Yep, know all about the uglies. I have a stack of them. One of my favorite instructors once said to me, "You are going to make mistakes, so just get them over with and move on to the good stuff." Happy New Year!

Anke Martin said...

Happy New Year Karine! Hope you started it great! I know what you mean with being alone....I need my alone time as well, Family around is ok. Even I enjoy meeting with friends once in while or write emails, I couldn't hang around them all the time...would make be pretty off balance.
Concerning not liking the art...who hasn't days like that? I do have them too, they will go over and who knows maybe you like them in a couple of days, I have that with photos quite often.
Alright I wish you a great weekend, smiles, Anke ;)

Unknown said...

Karine, it sounds like your spark is just in its resting phase right now, storing up good art mojo for your future masterpieces!
sending you and Pono happy new year hugs and inspiration.

Anonymous said...

i SO remember days like that. going into the print studio is a full day commitment so it's frustrating when it seems unproductive. there was this amazing master printer in my class last year who would crank out like 20 monotypes in one day. no kidding. her work was abstract and experimental and she had no inhibitions. she inspired the heck out of me and reminded me to be kind to myself because she'd been printing for 30 years AND had her own press. also, like you said, you learn so much from the process afterwards...when you come back to it.

ArtPropelled said...

I understand so well and I'm so glad you wrote this post because I begin to feel that maybe I'm odd yearning for alone time to create art.
"I seem to need the quiet in order to really find the deep parts in my creativity"....YES! And it is indeed hard for others (especially those who don't create) to understand this need. Fortunately my husband has a similar need to get to the ocean to fish and meditate in his own way which helps him to understand my need for alone time.