Momentum

Swirling Glow

Original oil painting 28x22"

by Susan Roux

Did I learn anything for my last post? Only that using a celebrities name for the title, adding a video and posting it all over facebook didn't yield me any more hits than usual. Actually it yielded less comments than usual... Interesting.

Over time I've noticed that when a person's name is used in the title, I'll receive hits on that post if someone googles them. Sometimes it's over a year later and the post can get very active. It seems more effective when the person isn't well known and there isn't as much written about them over the internet.

With regards to the Sheen post, what I would like is to tap into how to create a growing interest around what I'm doing, without it being bad stuff... I'm not sure if it's even possible. We live in a society that preys on the misfortune of others. Why is that?

I prefer to separate myself from all that. Yes I did post about Charlie Sheen, but it was to inform you about how quickly someone's idea can materialize into something concrete. It wasn't to slam Charlie down. I feel far removed from all the celebrity gossip. Tucked away in the woods of Maine, I prefer to slip into my own little world. My imagination can keep me quite entertained and with a large entourage of family and friends, I live a very nice life here. I don't need others misfortunes to keep me ticking.

Slipping away into my own little world...

It seems to be what my latest series is about. Swirling Glow is the tenth. I like to place them near each other and though half are away at an exhibit, I can still group the others here. It's hit me that since their backgrounds are all ambiguous, they represent the world I make for myself. Maybe not make exactly, but it's where my mind likes to escape to. My own solitary little world.

Don't most artists? We love to really get into our paintings, transforming ourselves, pouring out our soul, or creative energy onto canvas. When all goes well, we find ourselves in a trance. Interruptions can cause us to explode verbally. Slipping away into our creations is what we thrive for. Returning to reality is often resisted.

And so it is with me lately. Perhaps more than ever. I think this latest series taps from deep within. For once, I love what I'm creating. I'm hoping the buying public, if they still exist, will love it too. I was overwhelmed with a phone call the other day from a gentleman who purchased 3 of my girls, exhibited at Nosh. Wow! Could this be a glimpse at the reaction people will have to them? It's the first time they're out in public. What a nice compliment. Thank you sir. Periodically these boosts are necessary to keep our momentum going. Lately my momentum is going strong.

How about you? How is your momentum going these days?

I'm back

Bird Watching

Original oil painting 28x22"

by Susan Roux

I've been living in Freeport, Maine for nearly two weeks now and haven't walked into LLBean. Some people would find that utterly sinful. It wasn't about shopping. It was about art. My artists retreat turned out to be even better than imagined. So good infact, that some of us chose to extend our time. I apologize to all my students for canceling classes, but if you'd seen this place, you'd understand.

Six artists in a mansion on the ocean in the heart of winter, wind howling outdoors, makes it easy to stay cooped up indoors. From sunup to sundown, there was always at least one person with a brush in hand. Everyone's process, different. Everyone questioning and talking about art. Strewn about were various art books. Excerpts were read aloud and discussions blossomed. Some of your blogs were shared as you waltzed into our conversations. Ruminating the Profundities had us all rolling in laughter, with excerpts recited by heart at random times during the day. Laughter filled the house. Creative energy bubbled and vibrated within its walls.

The fireplace was lit. Wine was poured. Art videos were watched. Gourmet food was prepared. The jacuzzi was churning. Artists began to experiment out of their comfort zone. Suggestions were made. Confidence grew. Camaraderie settled in.

Then it happened. Champagne Thursday...

I want to thank everyone who came. What a night! Artists entered with their spouses and immediately felt the energy in the house. We had been productive and there was an extensive art show to view. How amazing it was to share our experience within the same walls where it all took place. Don even called that night and felt the explosive energy over the phone lines. He wished he was here... We wished you were here too, Don.

The best way to describe it was checking out of reality. Each day was eat breath and sleep art. Nothing else to worry about, think about, stress about. Everyone who participated wants to do it again next year. I highly recommend this to any of you out there. Houses in high tourist areas rent for cheap in the off season. It's a great way to have a serious work vacation. Jennifer said it was the best vacation she ever had! How cool is that?

Dabble color

Work in progress

By Susan Roux

I spent yesterday in my studio. I was overdue. All my "children at the beach" were dry and waiting to be dabbled on some more.

Dabble I did.

I so love these beginning stages when I can be completely free with color. I posted yesterday morning that I wanted to explore color and I did just that. It felt good to let delicious colors lead me. The house was empty and with Luka plugged into my ears, I let go. Singing and dancing (mostly swaying) in front of my easel, my brush was in control.

Isn't it fun when everything just flows?

The paint. Your creative energy. Your spirit. Its almost as though someone else took control and painted for you. When the sun comes up this morning, I look forward to returning to my studio and "explore" what happened on my four canvases yesterday. So much is a spontaneous response to the stroke before that it all happens so quickly. No time to think. Simply react. As the paintings dry enough to be worked on again, there'll be plenty of time to reflect on the direction I want to take them in.

This painting is currently untitled. I hope something comes to mind before its done. Most titles announce themselves during the process, but there are always those pesky ones that don't. I'm fearing this will be one of those... You know, the "hard" to title. Bulldozer comes to mind, but is completely unfitting to a dainty little girl in a pink ruffled bathing suit...

Suggestions are appreciated.

This particular painting has me a bit nervous. With the child stretched on all fours, she covers far less canvas than all my others in this series. Even with her reflection, she is but a dab in the distance. It'll be interesting to see how it evolves...

If you didn't have time to "explore" something yesterday, I hope you do it today. Its refreshing and will put a smile on your face.

Happy exploration!

Splashing color

Do you ever wake up and feel your creative energy surging? I'm hardly awake, still sipping my coffee, and I can tell its going to be a painting day. I have this urge to yank off my bulky bathrobe and run downstairs to my studio and splash color around!

I've been seriously immersed in my children at the beach series. I'm feeling the pending deadlines for delivery, though they're several months away. I hope to shed that feeling and just let my creativity flow. Ever notice how your work can change when you think about it too much or put some special expectations on yourself? Maybe that's why I'm painting like a mad woman lately. I don't want the approaching deadlines to affect my work. I want to be prepared in advanced!

That could be high hopes...

I have five canvases in the drying stage and I'm dying to jump back in! Being patient until they're set to my liking is proving to be difficult. I look at all my splashed color and it stimulates me. Lately I laugh at the evolution my work is taking. My process is starting out so wild, uninhibited and abstract. Much like the little children I'm painting. At some point I need to pull it all together and calm things down. Its as though I need to stop playing like a kid and start being the responsible adult!

Don't you hate that?

I'm posting images of both stages and you'll laugh at what I'm telling you. Funny how while painting the subject, I'm becoming my subject. Didn't they tell us this in art school? Or was that for acting? "Don't paint the tree. Be the tree..." Honestly being the "child" seems much easier to do.

Yesterday I sketched another. My thought is if I have enough of them in progress, at least one will be dry enough to continue... My studio space suffers from it, but my creative energy is exploding!

I wish you explosive creativity today. Be like a child and have fun splashing color around! Much like exercise, your energy level will rise...

Tap onto that joy in your heart and let it pour out of you!

Posted:

Making Ripples 20x10" original oil painting by Susan Roux

Untitled work in progress 20x10"