The Artist's Way: Reading Deprivation

Week four in The Artist's Way is a big one: Cameron asks us to give up reading and television for a week.  Back when the book was first published, before the internet was such a part of our daily lives, this would have been a challenge. In today's world it can seem downright impossible.

In the online discussion group I'm following, this task understandably met with a lot of resistance. People went on about how they couldn't possibly give up reading this week. Upon seeing their posts (I had not yet read the chapter), I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. Did I really want to do this? They sure were making it sound hard.

As I read the chapter I reflected on why the task is in there in the first place: to get us to free up more time for creativity. Sure, reading can help inspire creativity, but it can also be a real time suck. I thought about how I use reading to waste a lot of time each day. Whenever I sit down at the computer to get some writing done, I invariably start with a quick read of the headlines, or Facebook, or my favorite blogs. I tend to check my email throughout the day. When procrastinating I can easily get caught up in a series of TED Talks or Colbert Reports, and before I know it a big chunk of my working time is gone.

Suddenly I was excited to do this exercise. Think of all the newly-discovered time I'd have! I decided to create my own rules for the week which would allow me to maximize the intended effects of the exercise while still keeping some other priorities in line. First, no internet browsing. I closed out all the open tabs in my browser and set my homepage to a blank page (for when I need to open it to, say, map something or blog). For email, I'm allowed to check it no more than three times a day for at most 15 minutes at a time, and this just to make sure I'm not neglecting any important business or personal correspondence. I'm also allowed to read and respond to comments on my blogs during this limited time.

No TV, with the exception of the half-hour of The Daily Show that my husband and I watch most nights. It's part of his down time after a long day of work, and I didn't want to mess with it given that I was already finding so many other ways to make changes. No podcasts, so far at least, although I think I'd allow myself to listen to them while painting. I'm trying to opt for music instead of podcasts at other times, such as when I'm running errands or cleaning up around the house. 

And finally, no other reading except for a book I'm reading as research for the novel I'm writing - that I'm allowed to read for up to an hour a day. Banning this book would just impede my progress on my novel, and getting it done is one of my top priorities right now. So, the book stays.

So far I'm four days in (two weekdays), and I'm liking this no-reading thing. It's definitely hard to resist the urge to check in with the internet at certain times, but my week is off to a very productive start. I already think I'll be making some permanent changes to my habits after this week is over.

Revisiting The Artist's Way

I first worked through The Artist's Way (TAW) several years ago, when I was starting to make art again after a 10-year break. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, TAW is an immensely popular book which lays out 12 weeks of exercises designed to unblock a blocked creative person. Some parts are a little touchy-feely for my tastes, but overall I can definitely recommend the book. It helped me into a period of high artistic productivity.

I regularly listen to the podcast I Should Be Writing. When the host Mur decided to start up a TAW group, I decided now would be as good of a time as any to re-do the book. I did it mostly on my own the first time around, and I thought it would be interesting to see what it's like to have the experience along with others.

The group just started last week, so it's not too late to join if you're interested. So far it seems like an interesting group of people.

Happy Creative 2010

I have a good feeling about this year.

It's possible that my current location is helping with that feeling. Still, looking forward to getting back to my studio in a few days. See you then.

Postcards from the Edge: deadline Thursday

Visual AIDS is holding the 12th annual Postcards from the Edge exhibition and benefit sale in January. Artists from all over the world donate postcard-sized works of art which are then sold to benefit Visual AIDS. You too can donate a postcard, but your entry must be postmarked by this Thursday, 10 December 2009.

I participated last year and was hoping to again this year, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get something out in time.

The monsters are done!

My sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project is finally done, documented, and ready to be mailed tomorrow. Woo hoo!

Here are some of the pages that turned out to be my favorites.



I'm looking forward to turning my attention to projects which don't involve monsters (for the Sketchbook Project I was randomly assigned a topic: Aaah! Monsters!). Which is not to say I'm not glad I participated in this project. I'm happy I did it, but in the end I was frustrated by it taking me away from my more serious artwork.



By the way, I am user zurika over on Art House Co-op. If you're a member there, too, add me as a contact!

rubber cement monster

I had to rub so much to get the glue off that I ripped a page out of the sketchbook (some of them are perforated, which doesn't work so well with all the wet media I'm using). Thanks to the mad skillz I gained working in a book bindery, I was able to reattach it without harming the monster.

monsters and gear

This is what the covers of the monster sketchbook look like right now.


And this is a page I went back over with gouache after masking a bit with rubber cement. Mostly I was just happy to have rubber cement - I bought some today after looking for it for weeks. It's not labeled with a name here in Germany; I just had to choose one of the glues on sale based on the description on the package (removable, contains solvents). I got lucky on the second try!

Today I also bought a tripod. I found one that has all the features I wanted for only €12. Made me feel silly for putting off getting one for so long. Time for a big session to photograph my new artwork.

almost done with the monsters

Today I put the finishing touches on several pages of the monster sketchbook. I've decided to get it in the mail by Monday at the latest. It's not due until the end of December, but I need to move on to other projects.

AEDM 2009 day 30: it's over already?

Once again the last day of Art Every Day Month snuck up on me. I'm not ready for it to end!

I especially like how AEDM has helped me make so much progress on my Sketchbook Project monsters sketchbook. Pretty much every page has something on it, and after a little more work on the cover and a few of the pages, it will be ready to go. Well, I also need to document it before I send it off. Which means it's time for me to finally get out and buy a tripod.

As I mentioned before, I'm going to keep up with the daily art and blog posting for at least the first couple weeks of December. I have a couple of projects that I need to finish up soon, so hopefully this commitment will help move me quickly towards my creative goals.

Many, many thanks to Leah for being such an inspiration during AEDM. Can't wait for next year!

AEDM 2009 day 29: the Procrastinator

OK, so art it isn't, but I wanted to show you my little chicken in a basket drawing anyway. This is a page from a notebook I have called the Procrastinator. Each page has spaces for little drawings and other quick, time-wasting activities. Something about the sense of humor of the authors really tickles me.

AEDM 2009 day 28: hand monster

One of my goals for the coming week is to finish the monster notebook, document it, and send it off.

For missing two days of AEDM, I think I'll do two more weeks of it (including blog posts) in December. Maybe I can convince my friend Kim to do it with me. :)

Slacker

OK, so I've totally missed the last two days of Art Every Day Month. But I have a boatload of excuses:

• We had friends visiting from London.


• I hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for 20 people.


• The Christmas markets opened yesterday.


• Someone who looks a lot like me was busy taking part in an illegal flash mob.

But today I'm back on the wagon. AEDM post to come soon.

AEDM 2009 day 25: even more monsters

Another one those pages that doesn't seem quite done, but on the other hand, it's just a sketchbook. Who says each page has to be done?

AEDM 2009 day 24: seaweed monster

I thought this one looked like a blob of seaweed. Or maybe coral.

Is it Sesame Street's fault that all my monsters have googly eyes?

AEDM 2009 day 23: last pages!

See this? It's the last blank 2-page spread in my whole monster notebook. I'm almost done!

There are many pages that are only kind of half-done, but still it will be a relief to have at least something on each and every page. Keeping in mind that this is only a sketchbook, not every page has to be a masterpiece before I hand it in. Here are some of the pages I'll probably work on some more:

AEDM 2009 day 22: that other project

This is what I was making the other day when I couldn't tell you what I was making: a life-sized man drawing for a bachelorette party game. Kind of a variation of 'pin the tail on the donkey'.

AEDM 2009 day 21: sparkly plant monster

If you can't use magic markers and glitter in a monster sketchbook, when can you use them?

I'm so happy there are only a couple blank pages left, plus the cover. Can't wait to finish with the monsters!

AEDM 2009 day 20: starry-eyed monster

In the background there's sort of a monster hiding in a sock drawer for Leah. :)

I spent most of today working on a bigger project, but I can't show it to you (yet). It's a surprise.

AEDM 2009 day 19: pencil monsters

I had so little time for art today. For these pages I just grabbed a pencil and doodled in my monster sketchbook. The pencil itself was kind of interesting: a standard American number-2 dark blue pencil with "1990 FBLA DISTRICT II SKILLS' CONFERENCE" stamped in gold on it. I wondered where it came from, and how it found its way into my pencil holder. I was happy to learn that it was my husband, and not I, who was hoarding 19-year-old pencils and moving them from country to country with us. Not that I haven't been schlepping 19-year-old items through four countries myself. I'm sure there are plenty to be found.

This week has turned out to be so busy with things that are not art. Not that I can complain, since most of the things are very very fun things, but still it's frustrating that I can't give art the attention it deserves during Art Every Day Month. Hopefully tomorrow I will steal more time for art, and have something more interesting to share with you.

AEDM 2009 day 18: London goauche

Last seen here, this little postcard-sized goauche painting of London is done.

I am still getting the hang of gouache. My tendency is to use it very watered down so that it behaves almost like watercolor, but that seems silly given that I'm not particularly good with watercolors. I want to keep playing to see if I can find a style that works for me.