 |
| One of my Italy paintings from a sale many years ago. This is it's home! Lovely, huh? |
Today, I received Robert's latest newsletter, and it inspired me and told "my story" of my creativity to a tee! Enjoy! Also, see his site and subscribe to his Twice-Weekly thoughts. They are great to ponder....
A noble dependency
November 1, 2011
Dear Carole,
Recent studies of teenagers' use of cellphones and other electronic devices have revealed some interesting results. Apparently, if you deprive kids of social networking for a week or so, a high percentage become significantly depressed. They also lose efficiency, will, enthusiasm and sleep. Their marks go down and their lassitude goes up.
For many artists, something similar happens when "the work quotient" is taken from their lives. A couple of unproductive days can send some creative folks into the dumps. They may not even be aware of what's happening to them. "Fear of restart" and permanent creative catatonia can set in after long-term abstinence.
Fact is, good easel time is a noble dependency that makes you a happier, more generous person--better able to enjoy an enriched family and social life. Here are a few ways to promote these glad tidings:
Self control. While spontaneity is vital in the studio, monitoring easel time and work zones is also valuable. Work periods can be restarted with a gong or the change of a radio program. The "four o'clock reboot," where you begin something new in the late afternoon (normally a slower time of day), accumulates bonus points, tops up the psyche and makes you more brilliant than Voltaire at the dinner party.
Serendipitous bumping. When you put in significant time in the work area, work automatically emerges. Creative tools, studio clutter and half-finished works conspire to attract your attention. Ideas breed and things need to be done. Rather than making a decision to get on with something, merely bump into opportunities.
Creative exhibitionism. Just as the boy and girl get their thrills texting across a classroom, connecting your work with others is good for art and life. I'm not talking about dealer action or green feedback. The work itself, in progress or completed, in exchange or not, can be sent by jpeg to global friends in nanoseconds. A critique or approval may be forthcoming, but more often than not it's just the simple human joy of sharing. "Electronic interdependence," famously said Marshall McLuhan, "recreates the world in the image of a global village." While we may operate as independent workers, we are not islands unto ourselves. The Brotherhood and Sisterhood is alive and well and living in cyberspace.
Best regards,
Robert
Esoterica: Another way of thinking of art dependency is in co-dependency. Your work needs you as much as you need it. Your work begs your expression. You need to materialize it on a daily basis, from your enriched life--the better side of your nature. Without your personal focus and action, your magic cannot and never will exist. Think of all the great work you have left to do. Think of how necessary it is for people to see good work. "Work," said Kahlil Gibran, "is love made visible."
Read this letter online and let us know how you bring on "good easel time" and how it makes life worthwhile for you. Live comments are welcome. Direct, illustratable comments can be made at
One great big fat FREE book!! Yep, a totally free copy of Robert's most celebrated book, The Twice-Weekly LETTERS--960 pages--mailed post-free anywhere in the world, simply by signing up for a
Premium Listing before November 30, 2011. If you have work you think the world should see, please check us out. While our listings are mini-websites in themselves, we are particularly good at sending volumes of visitors to websites you may already have. Our service costs $100 per year and we do all the set up, including changing work, etc., as you see fit. If you are thinking about it, please feel free to drop Robert a note at rgenn@saraphina.com "I'll be happy to pass along an opinion as to your work's suitableness."
The Art Show Calendar: If you or your group has a show coming up, put an illustrated announcement on the Painter's Keys site. The longer it's up, the more people will see it. Your announcement will be taken down automatically on the last day of your show. Please take a look here
The Workshop Calendar: A selection of workshops and seminars laid out in chronological order that will stimulate, teach, mentor, take you to foreign lands or just down the street. Many of these workshops are recommended by Robert and friends. Incidentally, if you are planning a workshop and you have photos of happy people working, feel free to send them to us and we'll select ones to include in the workshops feature at no extra charge.
The Painter's Post: Every day there is new material going into this feature. This online arts aggregator has links to art info, ideas, inspiration and all kinds of creative fun.
If a friend is trying to subscribe to the Twice-Weekly Letter via Constant Contact, please let them know that as well as subscribing they must confirm their subscription.
You can also follow Robert's valuable insights and see further feedback on Facebook and Twitter
Featured Responses: Alternative to the instant Live Comments, Featured Responses are illustrated and edited for content. If you would like to submit your own for possible inclusion, please do so. Just click 'reply' on this letter or write to rgenn@saraphina.com
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, please go ahead and forward this letter to a friend. This does not mean that they will automatically be subscribed to the Twice-Weekly Letter. They have to do it voluntarily and can find out about it by going to The Painter's Keys website. |
|
|
