I have been re-reading Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach for the past couple of days, and I have been falling in love with Nancy Ekholm Burkert’s outstanding illustrations. My eyes are captivated on each illustration for minutes at a time, as I scour over each detail for new surprises. They have really gotten my imagination going, and in turn, I have learned a lot about my own artwork and creating. I have concluded that my most successful pieces have some sort of narrative to them – a story to get my mind churning and connected with my subject matter.
I have decided to take a step back from my usual creating habits, and really look hard into how I make my artwork. Not for production purposes, but for myself as an artist. It has been easy (and a delight) for me to produce small illustrations quickly, but I am learning that (for myself) quality beats quantity. I am really glad that I have realized that I need to push myself more. I expect much more out of my artwork, and I am excited to really take my time on a piece and to use narrative as a tool to create.
That’s why I am going to the store right after I post this to purchase a new sketchbook. I am planning on seriously sketching for at least 2 hours a day – filling it with new ideas, characters, writings, and even poetry. I want to use this summer not only to help my shop grow, but to grow myself – and what other way to do that than spend some extra careful and intentional time sketching.
I am looking forward to see what happens this month. :) I want to dream up some really wonderful ideas for you and for myself too! Thank you for reading and for all of your constant encouragement! I hope you all are as fired up as I am! Let’s see how the following month ensues….
Sounds like a great plan! When I was in school, my painting professor suggested I keep a journal to write about my work before, during and after it’s finished. I found the most useful and enlightening writing took place once I had finished a piece, and it usually led to other ideas which developed into my next painting. The self analysis pushes you into a honest place where you can really examine your art and grow. At first I had thought I would do it just to humor my professor, but I actually still do it today, long after graduating. Just scribbling inspirations, colors, concepts and thoughts tend not only to contribute to what you’re currently working on, but often times you can look back later and search for ideas. I guess it’s kind of like an old fashioned blog :) Good luck sketching!
Wow – these are amazing. Having a story or narrative is so wonderful in a painting or print. Good luck!
I keep a journal while quilting…with lots of sketches of how I want it to look…and how it changes over the period of making the quilt. :)
Happy journaling and sketching!
What a fabulous post Blaze! I have been having similar ideas, and was planning on going out to buy myself a notebook this weekend. I don’t plan on setting a time limit, but I do want to do one drawing or one page (anything else that comes to mind!) a day.
I haven’t read the book in a kabillion years, but a few weeks ago I was mentioning to my husband that we need to get the James and the Giant Peach movie. It is done so well to the style of those amazing illustrations…and he hasn’t (gasp!) ever seen it!
Anyway, I can’t wait to see what you have in store, and I do hope you will share some of the illustrations!
Fabulous idea, hun! New sketchbooks are so invigorating :) Giving yourself time to create will be refreshing for you! I have no doubt!
XOXO
I think this is a lovely and great idea! I’m always an advocate for pushing oneself as an artist. :) I cannot wait to see what wonderful new work you come up with–not to mention what you discover about yourself and your artwork along the way!!
I totally agree and am planning similar exploration! I got a beautiful new sketchbook last week and have started just letting things flow.
I found this really intersting blog by Keri Smith, http://www.kerismith.com/blog/archives/000121.html
This list has been inspiring me this week too:
http://www.kerismith.com/funstuff/100ideas.htm
Enjoy your exploration:)
Yay for some SERIOUS sketching! :) Although I SERIOUSLY think everything you done thus far has been FANTASTIC! :)
Isn’t the detail on this work crazy? It’s like you see every leaf, grass blade, etc… Good luck and I hope you fulfill your task. It’s sure exciting to see how your work is going to mature!
I love that book – those illustrations are amazing. I think sketching for 2 hours every day is an amazing goal. I’m sure the rewards will be huge.
Wonderful post! This book was one of my children’s favorites, and the illustrations are rich and magical. I think your work is wonderful already, but I applaud you for following the urge to delve deeper, and stretch farther. As artists, we need to constantly question, explore and expand. Enjoy this time to do so!
It’s such a wonderful feeling, to be inspired and looking forward to a ’shake up’ in the usual ways of doing things. I cant wait to see what you come up with!
Great idea, Blaze! I’ve always been enamored by that book and the illustrations. My favorite thing about illustration is telling the story through the pictures. I’m eager to see what you come up with!!
I’m excited to see what happens too. I’m sure you’ll dream up some lovely ideas you never even realized were in your head.
Sweet dreams,
T
Blaze, what a wonderful plan! I think a narrative is a good way to get started with creativity. I need to do the same myself. I’ve written some poetry, and I’ve never thought about creating art based on that and other journal/sketch type things in a sketchbook.
I hope you will post pictures of your journal pages to give us ideas for how to create our own artwork and develop as artists. I think we can all learn from each other.
I can’t wait to see what you are creating this summer. Lots and lots of luck and most of all, have fun!
Way to motivate yourself!
I, too, just purchased a sketchbook (one of my first in a LONG time) hoping to fill it with my mind’s wonderland…although, I’m sure it will wind up being filled with “To Do Lists” instead. Maybe I should buy a back-up just in case :)
You have just taken me back to when I was 8 and read James and the Giant Peach. I LOVED that book. Sounds like you have come to a new point in your art and I’m sure you will do really well. Can’t wait to see some of these new works.