CURIOSITY

The greatest 'tool' an artist can bring to their work is 'curiosity. Wikipedia defines curiosity, in part as “an emotion related to natural inquisitive behavior such as exploration, investigation, and learning.

It's a naturally instinctive need for man to explore. We're all born with curiosity - think of the young toddler constantly asking 'why' and never hesitating to pick up every and anything, inquisitively staring at it. It's sad some lose this characteristic as maturity rolls in. For some of us, the thirst to remain adventuresome and explore never leaves. It becomes an extension of inhaling and exhaling, which for artists is a necessity of life!

In my studio, it's much the same...curiosity, exploring and dreaming go hand in hand as I move the brush from canvas to canvas. Curiosity leads to creativity - it's a wondrous curiosity when you push paint around and just let it flow...letting it dance on a white floor, watching it move around with very little help from yourself....thinking " what would happen if I pushed the paint in this direction or upwards...?" I allow myself to explore through movement of the brush.... swift, slow and curious actions.

Allow your senses to be creative as you explore. Be curious. It's curiosity that pushes the curiosity to be creative. As this emotion represents a drive to know new things, curiosity is the fuel of science and all other disciplines of human study.” And the discipline of art, of course!

From an attitude of curiosity, what will you explore day?

Be Curious. Explore!

The video will take you to the University of Bologna...best part is the last 2 minutes so hang in to the end....you’ll be glad you did!

Ideas born in the early morning hours.

5:13 AM

I opened my eyes, this is what I saw. Last night I worked on this piece, it's not named yet, but I have a fairly good idea of what I'm going to title it. It's far from done. Before I go to bed I usually place the painting that I'm currently working on, on a small dresser adjacent to my bed. This allows me to study it further. A piece in progress can sit for a month or longer until I know what the next stroke will be. I love waking early to stare at it, thinking all the time what I might change. The light comes in and hits it at different points, it's like a dance. Shadows bouncing. This morning was different. I don't know why. Maybe something to do with the sun's movement, the way the goldish stream was hitting her shoulder. It struck me. I hopped out of bed, ran for my camera hoping the sun wouldn't change anything my eyes were seeing. I'm hesitant to work on this piece now. Maybe it's done. I'm not sure. It will take some more 'staring' to let me know.

If you're wondering, the answer is no. I don't have window treatments such as drapes, levolars or anything else in my bedroom. I'm not concerned about privacy... the house is in a very private location with the bedrooms located so high up that even if someone was on the property they wouldn't be able to see in. There's something inside me that cannot fathom closing out the ever changing elements, the canvas of nature. I like to think I've seen it all, but that would be a pure deception to my soul...storms, squalls, heaven sent snow, horrific north winds blowing the majestic trees. Did I say rain? From soft to heavy, light to full, hail to fury....and more to come. Just think. If I had window coverings, this morning would have been uneventful.

Then I began to play with the morning shadows putting it on a slant, added my purse too.

Cropped & Close up. I like it. Do you see the shadow of the lamp? Idea triggered! I'm wondering if I should paint that onto the canvas now. I like the peculiarity that's added to the painting.

Ideas are born in the early morning hours.