I’ve been all over the place this week, creatively speaking. With extra time on my hands, I participated in an online hand-lettering workshop, I painted with acrylics (for the first time in months), I created St. Patrick’s Day art, and I painted in my sketchbook. Even with all of these different projects, I’m realizing what I love and what my focus should be.
Not that long ago, I worried that my creative journey didn’t have a clear path. That I was headed in too many different directions. Back in January I wrote a post, “But where am I going?” As I mentioned in that post, I found the book, “Making Art A Practice: How To Be The Artist You Are,” very helpful. The Author, Cat Bennett, suggests that you analyze your work and look for connections in theme and style.
I’ve been looking through my work and I’ve noticed what current projects make me happiest. It’s funny because I started scratching away with the ink pen (on watercolor) on a whim, but each time I do it I love it. I feel like I’ve found my style. I won’t stop exploring other things – lino, lettering, patterns, etc., but I now have a focus.
Here’s a collection of new and old illustrations that feels like “me.”
mycreativeresolution.com 
And they’re so beautiful, the ones that are most like you! 😀 I really love WC with ink myself also. I think the african violet is my favorite because I feel those are hard to capture, but you’ve really got the essence right there so fresh and purely. I love it! I’m glad you’re feeling good about where you are. I feel like I want to try everything I see, but I’m hoping that’s because art is still fairly new to my life! I always enjoy your updates. And thanks for your comments on my blog too.
Thank you! I am definitely looking for some focus in all my scattered interests. I so much appreciate hearing that you enjoy my posts. I enjoy seeing what you are creating as well! 🙂
I’m so glad! I need a big dose of focus, for sure.
Thanks for the mention of the book. I have looked back on my work as well and was surprised to see themes that came up, so unintentionally. It is interesting that the artistic process can feel so rudderless, when in fact we are the rudder. From your “me” portraits, I suspect you enjoy the simple things and pleasures, and to me how they tell a simple story. They are icons, full of meaning yet very simple. A signage of some kind.
Your welcome, it’s a worthwhile read. It is surprising to see what themes we repeat, especially if we don’t do it intentionally. I seem to paint trees all the time and I had no idea I had a thing for trees! Thank you for your insight into the “me” projects. I hope that now that I’ve had a moment of focus I won’t change my mind tomorrow. Sometimes I can’t help but work on whatever inspires me in the moment.
Always a good thing to continue with what makes you the happiest… and congratulations on stretching your creative muscles and trying new things.
You are right and thank you – I love trying new things. Where I struggle is with sticking with things when they get hard. Like fighting through the ugly phase with watercolor.
Tell me if you think I ruined my pearl earrings on my blog with the blue background- I think I did.
I feel scattered too. I’ve just signed up for an online course called Smart Creative Style that is designed to help artists hone in on their original style, their voice. Looking forward!
That sounds great! Let me know how the course goes. Sounds interesting. Can’t wait to hear.
Yep, I get that. The answer always comes.
In my case the answer comes and then I re-ask the question or I ask a different one. ha ha
Patience is not your middle name is it, LOL?!
Ha ha…no it not 🙂
That’s so fabulous! You have definitely found a wonderful style to call your own, and one that can continue to grow and flow into so many projects. So unbelievably proud of you my friend! So what’s next for you?
Thank you so much! 🙂 Your encouragement along the way has been priceless. What’s next? hmmm…
I really like these; I’m inspired to get my aquarelles out!
They are stunning
Thank you so much! 🙂