A New Day
Part of what I've learned over the last year or two is that when inspiration isn't there, don't try too hard to force it. Usually, it will come the next day.
Pam and I just got back from four days away for relaxation and retreat. It was nice, fun, and when I got back, I felt tired just the same. Monday was the day I had designated to kick some butt on a few jobs that needed a jump start, but I was stymied by lack of that type of energy necessary and a room full of disorganization. To begin jobs at the generation stage requires concentration and lots of good energy, and I did not have it. So, I concentrated on that organization work that I had put off for a long time. Most of it had nothing to do with my occupation, being a huge amount of music CDs that I didn't know what to do with or where to file - too much of a very good thing.
With the exception of 10 double Django Reinhardt CDs that still need a box constructed for them, I did what I needed to do, and the room feels a lot cleaner and neater. I went through papers too, throwing out a lot of them, filing away some. Then, it was time to go into SF to see a surgeon for my upcoming operation. Didn't I mention my lobotomy? No? (Ok, it's a hernia)
By the time we got back, it was time to relax and watch a not-too-good movie we got at the library, "Mystery, Alaska", a movie about hocky and a small town. A "hockey Rocky" so it was billed.... We were good vegetables.
But, today was a different story, and, by 6 a.m. I kicked butt with concept sketches for a new Christmas card, as well as sketches for a book cover. Generating concept sketches probably requries more concentration than any other aspect of illustration art. My jobs are still coming in, a rarity for this time of year, but I'm loving it. Keep 'em coming, bring 'em on!
Meanwhile, I finished and have matted my "History of Art" piece, which tickles me no end every time I look at it. Whether it will ever find a buyer I have no idea - it was not a piece desinged with the large common denominator in mind. In fact, very few of my art pieces have been, and even when I tried, I failed to reach a wide public. I guess I should do landscapes and flowers, but if I did, I'd probably put little saxophones in the newly anthropomorphic flowers. Such is one's outlook when one has been corrupted at an early age by Max Fleishcer cartoons.
I've been creating card designs for a retail store for a decade now, and until this past Thanksgiving card, had never had a credit. Finally, I got one, which lead to a lovely email note from a couple who said they have been saving these cards for years and had wanted to know for a long time who did them. It was very gratifying for me to receive this note. That is a big part of why I do art: to bring some happiness to whomever views it. There is a very joyous part of me, and it often expresses itself in the art I make. Happy Thanksgiving! Give thanks for anything you may think of.
Pam and I just got back from four days away for relaxation and retreat. It was nice, fun, and when I got back, I felt tired just the same. Monday was the day I had designated to kick some butt on a few jobs that needed a jump start, but I was stymied by lack of that type of energy necessary and a room full of disorganization. To begin jobs at the generation stage requires concentration and lots of good energy, and I did not have it. So, I concentrated on that organization work that I had put off for a long time. Most of it had nothing to do with my occupation, being a huge amount of music CDs that I didn't know what to do with or where to file - too much of a very good thing.
With the exception of 10 double Django Reinhardt CDs that still need a box constructed for them, I did what I needed to do, and the room feels a lot cleaner and neater. I went through papers too, throwing out a lot of them, filing away some. Then, it was time to go into SF to see a surgeon for my upcoming operation. Didn't I mention my lobotomy? No? (Ok, it's a hernia)
By the time we got back, it was time to relax and watch a not-too-good movie we got at the library, "Mystery, Alaska", a movie about hocky and a small town. A "hockey Rocky" so it was billed.... We were good vegetables.
But, today was a different story, and, by 6 a.m. I kicked butt with concept sketches for a new Christmas card, as well as sketches for a book cover. Generating concept sketches probably requries more concentration than any other aspect of illustration art. My jobs are still coming in, a rarity for this time of year, but I'm loving it. Keep 'em coming, bring 'em on!
Meanwhile, I finished and have matted my "History of Art" piece, which tickles me no end every time I look at it. Whether it will ever find a buyer I have no idea - it was not a piece desinged with the large common denominator in mind. In fact, very few of my art pieces have been, and even when I tried, I failed to reach a wide public. I guess I should do landscapes and flowers, but if I did, I'd probably put little saxophones in the newly anthropomorphic flowers. Such is one's outlook when one has been corrupted at an early age by Max Fleishcer cartoons.
I've been creating card designs for a retail store for a decade now, and until this past Thanksgiving card, had never had a credit. Finally, I got one, which lead to a lovely email note from a couple who said they have been saving these cards for years and had wanted to know for a long time who did them. It was very gratifying for me to receive this note. That is a big part of why I do art: to bring some happiness to whomever views it. There is a very joyous part of me, and it often expresses itself in the art I make. Happy Thanksgiving! Give thanks for anything you may think of.
posted by Rich Sigberman at
10:38 AM
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