Progress and possibility

Once you are in your creative flow it is easy to stay in it. You have some momentum and you’ve already sloughed off some of what has kept you blocked. But moving through those first stages of progress, not knowing if it is progress, or just play is challenging. What if I spend an hour or a day of time heading down a dead-end and not getting anywhere?

I find I create well with some structure; I need a sense of purpose. My flow comes from appreciating what I have already achieved, being in the moment with the art I am making and coming out of that knowing what I need to do next. I suppose that is why I am no friend of the white page, I would rather create some sort of canvas (for me a painted background) to work onto. And I always leave a project open to continue working on so that I know what I am coming back to. I leave doors open to possibility. Whilst away from my studio I can envisage my space and think of what I want to do. It makes the hours I have in the studio far more productive.

This week, progress meant seizing some time in the studio. It meant reviewing the drawings that I had been doing and putting those up in my space. It meant asking myself how I want to grow my art and not create landscapes in a formulaic way, how to bring in the fresh. Progress meant breaking down the larger pieces into strong shape, playing with scale and imagining compositions. I looked at the drawings I had done en plein air. I gathered some older work that had stalled but that I liked elements of. I looked at some of my favourite art books for new composition structures. I had hoped to get back into the studio again - my mono printing plate and brayer are waiting for me - and I know that when I get the chance I can seize the day and crack on.

“Goodbye Fear

Hello Possibility

Hello Gratitude

Hello Wide Open Heart”

Kelly Rae Roberts

It takes a brave heart to make art. It takes a sense of purpose and a positive sense of entitlement to spend time creating. It takes gratitude for self and of others for helping enable the birth of the new. It takes self-love and love of our beautiful world. All of that needs focussed reflection, not just throwing yourself in at the deep end.

Nurture your artist soul and follow the possibilities towards flow.