The art process can find its root in anything that triggers the imagination. We can pick up a stone or a shell on the beach, and we suddenly travel back in time. Even a smell can remind us of a place or somebody.
Having a playful approach allows to stimulate creativity.
This painting is a recent one done during a zoom session that I run every week. I like going with the flow of what students need. I let them share what they have done during the week and it helps me identify how I can help them in their creative process based on their questions, experiences and interests.
As a matter of fact they were all interested in exploring textures. Here is an example of how it is possible to play with a lot of colours and material to start with. This allows to go away from the usual white page.
How to proceed
Gather some odd material collected in your house. Look inside bins, check in drawers in your bathroom, kitchen, walk round in your garage and have a look outside. Here are some ideas of what to look for: Kraft paper, all sorts of fabric, cotton buds, cotton wool, plastic, leaves, flowers, sticks, music score, some writing, card board, wrapping paper, ribbon … anything!
Once you have gathered material on your workbench, try to be in a playful flow. At this stage we try not to intend to represent anything specific. In this art work above I focused on my five senses, hence I chose things I could do different sounds with, and I also used some paprika and turmeric for their amazing colours and wonderful scent.
Use your five senses to create
I started crushing the Kraft paper, and then glued it on my sheet. I would advise to not try to analyse what is going on when you are in your creative process. Just follow your intuition. So … I had that crushing sound, followed by the softness of cotton wool in my hands. Very quickly I was drawn to the music score which found its place in the upper alcove shape. At that stage I was humming the music of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.
I carried on gluing material with a touch of watercolour, when suddenly … all made sense!
My Musical Beach
I realised I was like a bird, looking down. I saw the golden beach with the soft foam of soothing waves.
The sea is like music, drifting me away - like a in a day dream. Then I visualised the beach bordered by bamboos, pine trees, and laurels. I can now imagine myself walking there, with my bare feet in the golden ochre sand. I feel the warmth, I hear the crushing waves and I can taste the salty sea air.
This art work has become a safe place where to be.
To visit this land, I use my raft made of bamboo, land on the shore and stay there as long as I need :)
The important is what the art work means for you.