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Creativity Tips
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by Majena Mafe
- Look at art, all art, any art, art in galleries, museums, in books, on postcards in children’s drawings. Do It!!
- Listen to music. All sorts. Johann Sebastian Bach is good, music is especially good if you are also troubled by stress, headaches, mind jams or strange ‘sleeplessness’ in the middle of the night.
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by Majena Mafe
- KNOW YOURSELF. You are the most important element in your art, because art is an expression of how you see and feel about things. You are more important than technique, so…ask yourself what are you passionate about? What do you like, re ideas, interests, materials etc get to know this in great detail. Don’t worry about why you like something.
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by Susan Meindl
Why is it that some people seem to create effortlessly and unselfconsciously while others struggle and suffer and seem to always hold themselves back even when their talent is evident to others? Some reasons may be found in the the understanding, attitudes or beliefs that they hold towards the sources, quality and sustainability of their creative efforts.
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by Nita Leland
Every artist wants the answer to this question: How do you break blocks? The process is different for everyone, and probably different every time we get stuck. Here are some ideas to choose from that might help you jump over your hurdles:
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by Hugh Mackay
Sydney is endowed with a rich artistic life. Writers, painters, poets, photographers, singers, dancers, actors, architects and designers thrive here. From the beginning, serious attention has been paid to theatres, galleries, concert halls – as well as public art – for the delight and stimulation of the populace.
Yet Sydney continues to suffer from the social ills that plague most large cities. Our enthusiastic attendance at galleries, theatres and concert halls doesn’t appear to subdue our anger, relieve our stress, or incline us to become friendlier to each other. Those of us who love the arts like to believe we are “improved” in an almost mystical way by our exposure to various art forms. But where is the evidence that theatre or concert goers are better citizens – more attentive, say, to the needs of the marginalized or disadvantaged – than non-attenders?
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by Nita Leland
(Or, Advice from Someone Who Has Been on Both Sides of the Easel)
- First, select a workshop that has something specific you want or need to learn, such as drawing, design, color or experimental techniques. Don't take a workshop just because everybody else you know is going.
- Look for an instructor whose techniques or expertise fit in with your artistic goals.
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by MIchael Brinkley
1. You have to be born with a natural talent to create art
This has got to be the laziest excuse I have ever heard for not becoming an artist. Let me be perfectly clear. People are not born with natural artistic talents above anyone else. The reality is that as we grow we develop interests in other things and we focus our learning on those things. Historically we focus on those things that we need to learn in order to survive. We learn skills that we know we can use to make enough money to provide for our future families. Because of this, we never spend any time really focusing our attentions on creativity. The bottom line is this, everyone can become an artist if, and only if, they have a true desire to do so. The hard work, dedication and self confidence that it takes to become an artist tends to turn most people away. So, they use this excuse above all others.
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Featured Art Books
The Art of Abstract Painting
Filled with inspired instruction, this detailed guide shows how to compose dramatic, beautiful, thought-provoking, and evocative abstract paintings. This manual also teaches where to find inspiration, how to develop ideas, the way to create lively effects, and how to apply a range of techniques on different surfaces, whether it be transparent watercolor or thickly applied acrylics.
Expressive Drawing: A Practical Guide to Freeing the Artist Within
The many people who long to draw — but feel too intimidated to try — will rejoice at the wonderful first entry in this brand-new creative series. Written by arts educator Steven Aimone, it’s packed with solid, friendly, hands-on instruction, as well as inspiring images. Aimone teaches an accessible style called expressive drawing that emphasizes line and mark, rather than rendering a specific object, which for many people, can create barriers to self-expression. Exercises start off simple and quick, encouraging readers to work on instinct and feeling, while the later ones focus on detail and refinement.
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