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What makes you a Curious Artist?

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Kids are curious – although my five-year-old just told me that she knows more than me. Apparently she has the answer to everything. I laugh to myself. It has begun already! She seems so young to think she knows it all…

Do you still find yourself curious? Or do you know everything? That’s a rhetorical question!

Let’s see what Leo Burnett, the famous American advertising executive, has to say about curiosity. Next in our series – quote #2:

“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.” – Leo Burnett

Reflection:

Curiosity is important, not just for artists, photographers, musicians, designers, writers, and the creative-lot alike; everyone can benefit from curiosity.

Curiosity:

  • Is a path to learning new things
  • Keeps you growing as a person
  • Develops meaningful interests
  • Makes your artwork more intriguing
  • Causes you to ask the right questions
  • Helps you get to know people better

Over the summer I read a great (and curious!) novel by Jonathan Safran Foer called Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. The main character is a young boy named Oskar…

Extremely_loud_and_incredibly_close_large

… I just realized: it’s fitting that I am reflecting on this book today, since it is September 11. This was not intentional, but my subconscious is tuned-in to the date I suppose. Who can even say September 11 without remembering where they were when it happened? Today, and every day, my heart goes out to all those affected by the events that took place back in 2001. Not long ago I visited the site of the Twin Towers and my heart broke – there were so many names lining the fountain memorials. Too many names…)

Back to the novel: the story is about Oskar’s search for a lock to match the key he found in his father’s belongings. Oskar’s father died in the 911 tragedy.

The author has done a remarkable job of writing from Oskar’s perspective. Oskar’s mind never stops and one idea leads to another. He is the embodiment of curiosity. He wonders about everything… sometimes it can be a little exhausting, but because of his curiosity, he is such an interesting character and comes up with truly novel ideas.

If you have time to read Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, I’d recommend it. On a side note, it was a very gentle take on the 911 tragedy. It made me reflect on the heartache from a child’s perspective.

Artists – creative people in general – are and should be curious. I believe it is curiosity that prompts art in the first place. Art is curious because:

  • It asks us questions of ourselves, the one who made it
  • It asks questions about the world
  • It asks questions about culture, society, race, religion

Change comes because of questions and questions come because of curiosity.

Have you gotten bored? If so, it’s time to get inspired! Visit an art gallery or museum, read something new, travel to a foreign destination, meet new people, take a class. Curiosity is within your control.

What are you curious about?

How do you feed your curiosity?

Best wishes to you as you pursue your creative passions!

– Alexis Marie

Continue Painting to Silence your Inner Doubt

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At the beginning of July, I shared “Inspiring Quotes for Artists” with helpful words by famous artists, writers and designers. For the next few months I will be writing a creative reflection based on each of the eleven quotes.

I hope you find the reflections helpful – and please comment below with your own ideas, inspirations and revelations from the quotes.

Today, we begin with quote #1:

Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh

Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh

 

“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced”

– Vincent Van Gogh

 

Reflection:

The hardest part of any endeavor is just getting started.

When I was facing artistic block (the visual artist’s version of writer’s block) when I was in art school, I received one of the best pieces of advice:
PAINT SOMETHING UGLY.

That was it. Paint an ugly painting!

Painting an ugly painting has many benefits:

  • It gets you started
  • It removes expectations that the artwork should be aesthetically pleasing
  • It allows you to have fun
  • It opens your mind to be free and wander as you create
  • You can explore techniques outside your comfort zone
  • And, it sets the bar so low so that when you do set out to make your next painting, you feel proud of the progress from that first messy experiment

It is easy to let self-doubt, insecurities, and fear get in the way of making the artwork you were born to create. An important part of the artist’s job is calming the inner-self, nurturing the creative spirit inside of you, and being uninhibited as you work.

What do you do to break free from artist’s block?

Have you ever tried making an ugly painting?

How do you nurture and protect your creative-self?

Best wishes to you as you make your art!

– Alexis Marie

 

 

Wood Sculptures “A Visual Delight”

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Bleeding Heart Gallery on Alberta Ave exhibited two of my wood sculptures at their inaugural art show at the end of November. It was great to be present at the opening reception and be a part of launching a new alternative space while connecting with local art lovers.

I met one sweet gal named, Rebekah Sherman, at the gallery that night. She is a children’s pastor and I noticed her enjoying my sculptures. I asked her what she thought and Rebekah has kindly emailed me what she had said that night:

“I saw Alexis Marie’s two sculptures, before they were exhibited, sitting at the entrance of the gallery.  I was drawn to them instantly.  I seem to have a magnetic attraction to art that is wrought from raw, natural materials- especially wood.  The teetering structure of naked wood struck me as both whimsical and calculated.”

“The pieces, carefully balanced and angled, reached up with possibility.  Anchored on a dark, rich base of a tree stump, the pale remnants have permission to be frail and grow. The juxtaposition of this weathered stump, weighty with character and history, with the stark, thinly manufactured fragments of wood, is gripping.”

“It’s as if Alexis Marie has managed to keep a castle of cards suspended gracefully in time. A visual delight.”

 

Wood sculpture by Alexis Marie Chute

It was a pleasure connecting with Rebekah and others that night. I feel encouraged with the direction of my current work at Harcourt House and excited to develop my concept further.

Here are some photos from the opening of “Let’s Begin” group exhibition.

 

Aaron Vanimere, the exhibition curator, and me at the busy opening reception.

 

My wonderful hubby, Aaron Chute, and our friend Geoff Abma listen to the welcoming remarks.

Geoff’s lovely wife and my awesome friend and fellow artist, Alicia Abma.

My friends and I by my two sculptures on exhibit at “Let’s Begin.”

My friends Neil & Aimee Diewert came along with their happy one year old, Anthony.

 

 

Never Give Up

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The saying goes:

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” – Anonymous

My version, and you can quote me on this:

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try, try again a thousand times. If then, you still have not succeeded, try again a thousand times more.” – Alexis. Marie Chute

Tolstoy on the Role of Art

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“Art is a microscope which the artist fixes on the secrets of his soul,

and shows to people these secrets which are common to all.”

– LEO TOLSTOY, Diary