Becoming an artist

Inspiration

2010-08-15T13:05:00.002+02:00

It's been a while ago. But that's okay. I guess I needed time to find inspiration. And boy did I find it.
I'm currently working on 3 big projects.

#1 Recycling project.
I think I already told you about this one. But the idea occured to me when a friend was talking about how she had to re-use a piece of paper from the garbage bin to clean the plates. When I heard that story I thought: "Now that's exaggerating!". So I decided to recycle things in a weird form. So, a vase from old nylons, shoes from old postcards, etc.

#2 A stop motion
When I was cycling to my work, I got the idea for a stop motion. The title "Tour des rêves" suddenly popped up in my head. And that got me thinking. It didn't take to long to stimulate my brains. Someone sleeping, "air cycling", light, dreams.
Of course I worked it out better than this, but this is just the teaser for you ;-)

#3 Sky is a big thing, especially if you call it heaven
Some days ago I started taking photos of the sky in my backyard and writing down a few lines about how I felt when seeing the sky. I still am photographing the same sky and writing down how I feel. And let me tell you: this is going to be big. Probably an art installation, because that is what I have in mind.
I am very excited about this project.

Random works

2010-07-31T11:40:00.004+02:00

I have painted something yesterday, but I haven't photographed it yet, so in stead I give you some photos of works I have created somewhat recently.

This is the sketch for the painting I am working on. It is done in pastel.

This work is slightly older. I believe I made it for school last year. Done in acrylics.

A work based on consumerism. I am planning on doing a serie. I have to say I am quite materialistic, I can't help it, I just like to buy myself new, fancy things. It's even better if someone else buys it for me. I am not religious, either. But people say that consumerism is bad for religion. That's why I drew Maria, blinded by receipts. For the rays of light I used bible texts with a brown was (because people that love consumerism generally think religion is somewhat old fashioned). And for the white rays I used receipts.
Materials: Charcoal, receipts, bible texts, acrylics and mod podge.

Reading list

2010-07-28T20:17:00.002+02:00

Some articles on my to-read list:

Painting ideas
7 deadly sins of painting
Painting poetry
5 ways to grow as an artist
Loosening up
Painting ideas machine

slacking

2010-07-27T21:54:00.005+02:00

Apparently, this is not the first time I use the word "slacking" as a title for my blogpost. The exact title was "SLACKING." Exactly, with a period at the end of one word. One word.

Back to the point. I'm sorry I haven't been creating something artsy everyday, and I am sorry for posting even less photos of the result. Yes, I have created some things, but after it got dark I couldn't take any photos, and I just didn't feel like it the next day. And I hate myself for saying that, because that makes me sound lake a lazy, uninspired, teenage idiot. I should get inspired.

Today I started reorganizing my craftroom. Hopefully that will give me a boost.

Half selfportrait

2010-07-24T09:58:00.002+02:00

So, I told you I had blown of some of the charcoal while spraying hairspray on it. I decided to show you the half drawing anyway, because otherwise I wouldn't have created anything, yesterday.

Fortunately, I can comfort myself with the thought that it was no good to begin with. I really need to practise my ability to draw from life, so no photos as a reference.

For now I'm already stuck on what I should do today. We'll see what I come up with.

Selfportrait

2010-07-23T22:19:00.002+02:00

Today I did a selfportrait in charcoal on black paper. But when I tried to spray it with hairspray, I accidentally sprayed some of the charcoal off. So I hope it will be okay when dried.
I will post a photo tomorrow, it's too dark to photograph at this moment.

Neizen

2010-07-23T19:52:00.003+02:00

As I do often, I was browsing deviantart. I just love seeing how everyone has his/her own style. It can be very inspirational.

Then I saw Neizens work. It is absolutely gorgeous, and so new, refreshing. Just look at it:

Girls? by Neizen

Ayda by Neizen

Another portrait by Neizen

He uses oil, tar and dirt on steel. It's a golden combination, if you ask me.
So go check his deviantart out: neizen.deviantart.com

Cinematic Orchestra - Arrival of the birds

2010-07-23T00:56:00.002+02:00

Just this:

work in progress

2010-07-22T00:48:00.002+02:00

I actually had my post written and everything, but than my laptop decided to stop. So, without further ado:

Modigliani

2010-07-21T19:50:00.003+02:00

An artist that really inspires me is Modigliani. I don't even know what exactly inspires me about his paintings. It's the lack of details, the colours and the texture that makes my heart skip a beat.

After seeing some of his work again, I'm going to experiment with painting knives to give my paintings some extra texture. Although I don't think Modigliani worked with palette knives.

Tattoo symbolism

2010-07-21T19:20:00.003+02:00

I'm going to paint tonight, so I doubt I'll post pictures today (maybe crappy photos after midnight. We will see).

I thought it might be interesting to tell you a little story about the tattoo. I'm all about really personal tattoos, or none at all. My sketch is inspired by one of my favourite poems, but I also put a lot of symbolism in it.

First of all, the two birds, they're hummingbirds. Hummingbirds represent love, joy and beauty, but more importantly; this bird also teaches that we must not dwell on our past; we need to move forward.
The birds form a circle, a symbol for eternity. Than there are three anemones, there's a myth that sais that the anemone sprang from Aphrodite's tears as she mourned the death of Adonis. The anemone symbolizes unfading love, it is also said that it's protection against evil. The first anemone is one with it's petals closed and legend has it that an anemone closes it's petals, rain is approaching.
In the lower right corner there are three mixed zinnias. Mixed zinnias mean that one is thinking of an absent friend.

So, it means a lot to me. Figuring out the colours and placing is left.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

2010-07-20T16:57:00.002+02:00

Although creating the blog is art related, I didn't think it was enough. So I've worked on a long term project. It's still a sketch, but it needs time, since it's going to be on my skin permenantly.

It's inspired by my favourite poem: Do not stand at my grave and weep from Mary Frye.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

The pencil sketch. This is my first draft. It's not perfect, but it's clear.

This is the bamboo tablet sketch, I don't think it's any clearer than the pencil sketch, but this will be the base for the line art and for the coloured version. And I will also the photoshop it on my skin, to see how it will look. I'm a perfectionist, I have to know everything a 100% sure, before doing something.

It was about time

2010-07-20T13:02:00.003+02:00

It was about time I started creating something again. Anything, really. So I decided a project would be good, because I love projects. They're intense and don't take too long. Perfect for me, because I like intense and short.

The reason why I decided it was about time is because I am going to apply to an art school sept 14 (KASK, Gent, Belgium, if you would like to know). And of course I know some things about art, and I'm not a complete noob at creating art, but there's no harm in preparing myself to the max.

You are more than welcome to follow me during this project. I will try my best to make it as intense as possible, because otherwise it's no fun to read.