The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell - Episodes Tagged with “Communication”

Episode 250: Expressions of Gratitude

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0500

As artists, what role can gratitude play in our work and practice? On a personal level, we know that focusing on what we’re grateful for is good for overall mental health and contentment. Today we’d like to talk about specific situations in which appreciation and gratitude can help artists cope with some of the tougher aspects of art practice. Expressing gratitude can also help in your professional life to build mutual appreciation and respect in your dealings with the art world. Today we’ll talk about the importance of gratitude on both personal and professional levels.

Thinking about gratitude in ways that are specific to your art life and work ienhances a positive state of mind. To look back over your life, and make a list of who has helped you, who has understood your passion, and what opportunities that have come your way is a powerful tool in maintaining a positive outlook. Becoming aware of these sources of support can help you through times of frustration or feeling a lack of appreciation, understanding the goodness that in the big picture of our lives. Any success you've achieved has not happened without support and encouragement from other people.

Acknowledging this support on both a personal and professional level is healthy for everyone involved. One way of expressing gratitude is simply to be generous--to transform what has been given to you into new forms, whether that is through teaching, supporting your art friends in their struggles, purchasing artwork from others, or simply a direct conversation with someone you appreciate.

It is good also to be grateful for the basic importance of art in your life, the fact that you have the ability to express what moves you in ways that can be shared with other people. In this way, every work of art is an expression of gratitude.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.

When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new At Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry launched their spring quarter on April 12th. Sessions this quarter so far included identifying compositional issues in your work, and technical information from Gamblin representative Mary Tevlin. Upcoming sessions include a painting clinic for works in progress, and much more. As always, members can join in on live sessions with questions and comments, and can benefit anytime by interacting with other members on our Members-only facebook page. With 100 recorded sessions in the member library there is always something to learn or review, with topics ranging from technical advice to visual language to guests speakers and critiques of member work.

To learn more about membership, and to purchase cold wax tools and Rebecca and Jerry's book, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations, please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Also-- please visit https://www.espacioart.org to learn about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A few booking openings are still available in 2023, so please incquire if you are interested.

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.

Episode 243: Being Seen

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0600

A basic human desire is to truly be seen. We long to be understood by other people, acknowledged, appreciated, and accepted for who we are. As an artist, you have a literal way of being seen, of communicating who you are in a visual way. The hope that people will be able to connect with you through your work is a basic motivation for making art. Today we’ll talk about the desire to be seen and understood by the people who view your work.

This desire probably goes back to childhood when we bring our drawings to our parents, saying “look what I made.”
At a young age we can either be pleased or discouraged by the response. We either feel seen and appreciated, or we realize the person we're showing our work to doesn't understand. Many children leaearly to follow certain rules for visual communication in hopes of a positive response. They start to rely on recognizable symbols like houses that are square with a triangle roof and flying birds that look like the letter V. But this sets up a disconnect between the child's original idea and how they feel they need to portray that idea.

Those of us who do continue trying to communicate in personal ways through visual art can have a relationship with those who view our work that is energizing and at times profound. Art can transcend so many of the social and geographic barriers that we have such as age, social status, and culture, and it can even communicate across time.

For your work to allow others to see you honestly, it needs to be authentic and motivated from personal meaning. As artists we have an ability to connect with other people, whether friends or strangers, in a purely visual way. On the other hand, doing work to please your audience, rather than opening honest interaction, is rarely satisfying in a deep way. The more meaningful your work is to you as an artist, the more satisfying it will feel in terms of the basic desire to be seen.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry are now midway through their winter quarter of online sessions at Cold Wax Academy, where as always members have access to in-depth and varied content for learning and growth. Upcoming sessions include a presentation by guest author Shaun McNiff, tips on photographing your artwork, a painting clinic for works in progress, and the final critique session for this quarter with a special focus on composition. As a member, you can also access the private Facebook page and the community there of informed and supportive artists who post paintings, ask questions and initiate discussions.

It's never too late to join Cold Wax Academy! All live sessions are recorded and there are now nearly 100 previous sessions in the member library. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information.
Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Episode 239: Trusting Your Intuition

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0600

As artists we all recognize that intuition plays a role in what we do, but what that role is can seem mysterious and elusive. Like many concepts in art, we tend to use the words intuitive and intuition loosely because they defy exact description. But a closer look may help you understand its place in your own way of working, and to better access its power. If trusting intuition doesn’t come easily to you, you are not alone. Today we will talk about what intuition is, why it can be challenging to trust, and ways to nurture it in your work.

The word ‘intuition’ has its roots in the Latin intueri which means ‘to look at or toward’ or ‘to contemplate’. This points to the foundation of intuition, which requires an openness, an awareness of your true self, your experiences, and emotions, that you can use in your work. When you have that base, the inner knowing that we call intuition can be accessed. Intuition also comes from being in the moment, and tends to motivate us toward action and decisions. It is motivating and energizing, but it can be counteracted by second guessing and hesitation.

Rational thought is important too of course, the need to step back to analyze how things are going. We need critical thinking to improve and evaluate our work. But in creative work, the original impulse is intuitive. When your work comes from your deepest self, that is rarely a purely rational or intellectual source. Left-brain thinking can support and help develop the original idea. But what gets you rolling, provides the excitement and energy, is generally not primarily intellectual, but instead emotional or experiential.

Many artists want to be able to develop and to trust their intuition but they feel inhibited by their rational minds, or by fears of being judged if they allow their inner selves to be more visible. Making art sometimes from as pure an intutive source as possible is a good way to develop your intuition. It’s important to honor and nurture intuition however you can access it, whether in small decisions or in larger, more inspiring ways that get to your deeper sense of self-expression.

Nancy Fletcher Cassell webpage mentioned--intuitive painting:
https://ericmaisel.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/07/ten_tips_for_intuitive_painting.pdf

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry have an exciting lineup of online sessions planned as they launch a new year of learning and growth for members of Cold Wax Academy. Winter quarter sessions, which began on January 4th, will feature help with technical issues, photographing your work, developing ideas for imagery, and advice on works in progress. And two special guests, well-known authors Eric Maisel and Shaun McNiff will be conducting interactive sessions with members. As a member, you can also access the private Facebook page and take advantage of the informed and supportive community there of artists who post their paintings and questions. It's never too late to join Cold Wax Academy! All live sessions are recorded and available in the member library. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Episode 234: A Deeper Look, Step by Step

Rebecca Crowell — Sun, 18 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0600

In the process of making a work of art, the artist deals with many questions and decisions. There is a constant evaluation of asking if the piece is on the right track and considering what is needed for the next move. What will best convey the artist’s ideas and intentions? Many of these decisions are quick and intuitive, but sometimes a more reflective and conscious process is called for.

You need a balance between intuition and more conscious analysis to produce consistently good work. Both are important—you don’t want to be constantly stopping and picking apart every move, that is paralyzing and over thinking. But without applying some objective evaluation of your work every so often, your work will be all over the place. Sometimes you hit on a good result, but it is harder to do that consistently without a deeper look.

A lot this is analysis is thoughtfully but quickly, with just a short amount of consideration. This process borders on intuition because it feels that you just know what to do, although that knowledge may need a moment of looking to see what to do. But there’s another level that takes more time. This is an actual step by step process you can go through to analyze your work either when you are close to being done, or deciding if it’s done, or at any time along the way that you feel stuck. It involves close observation of your work in several ways. The first is an objective, descriptive look at the form of the work, observations about what you see in the use of the visual elements and composition. Next is subjective interpretation based on your ideas and intentions, and finally, how do the form and content work together? It is helpful to do this in written form to help your focus.

This basic exercise is taught in art school as a way of observing the alignment of form and content. After a while the practice gets ingrained and a basis for making choices about how you use the visual elements and composition to express what you want to say.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry have just wrapped up their Fall Quarter of instruction, which featured an exciting session on using Procreate, and demos of creating depth and working with color. Winter Quarter begins on January 4th, and Rebecca and Jerry are launching the new year by featuring informative guest artists, help with improving your studio practice and habits, painting clinics, and mentoring topics. You can join Cold Wax Academy at any time and take advantage of over 80 previously recorded sessions already in the member library, and you can also join in on the live, online sessions produced each month. Please consider treating yourself or a loved one to the comprehensive and wide-ranging art education available at Cold Wax Academy in 2023, by visiting http://www.coldwaxacademy.com. The website also offers plenty of free information about cold wax medium including a series of informative videos.

Episode 233: The Compulsion to Create

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 15:30:00 -0600

There is something compelling and mysterious about the urge to make art. Those of us that make art today are part of a tradition going back many thousands of years. What is its role in your own life? What basic needs does making art satisfy? Why do so many of us spend so much of our time putting down paint, shaping clay, carving wood or marble, or cranking prints through a press? Today we toss around some ideas about what motivates us to create and the satisfaction it brings.

It's not uncommon for an artist to stop working for a while due to some disruption in their lives and it can be a distressing time. If stopping is the result of a personal upset or trauma, a vicious cycle can develop in which not working can lead to an even lower state of mind, and lead to even more difficulty getting back to it when the overall situation improves. Yet most artists don't truly give up their studio practice when circumstances are negative, and will continue to search for a way back in.

Although artists have always persisted through every era of history and every situation that people experience, it is sometimes seen as a self-centered activity and not essential to society. In fact, it is an extremely personal activity and that connection to self is the source of the passion artists feel. At the same time, art transcends individual experience with its universal appeal, and is a very basic aspect of a fully developed culture.

For artists, art can fulfill many needs, from the desire to explore and be challenged, to spiritual fulfillment. It is a way of processing experience and to find a language for what goes on in an artist's inner life. These aspects lead to the intense drive and passion artists tend to feel for their work.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry sre well into their Fall quarter of live, online sessions with a special focus this time on member participation, plus informative sessions on a variety of other topics. This month also marks the beginning of Cold Wax Academy's 3rd year of teaching sessions, meaning that the member library now has over 80 recordings and other instructional documents available for members. To access this wealth of information and to take part in upcoming live sessions, please visit the membership page at ColdWaxAcademy.com and sign up for one of the two levels of membership available.

Episode 212: Imaginary Friends and Critics

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 23:00:00 -0500

When an artist creates, the people that the artist images viewing the work often are unseen presences in the studio. When we are deeply involved in our work these may fade away, but they tend to reappear when we are uncertain or involved in self-critique. A legitimate and important part of evaluating our work is trying to see the work through someone else’s eyes. But who are these viewers, exactly? Who are we creating art for, besides ourselves? Today we talk about those who view our work, how we imagine them and how much power to give them.

Most artists say they do their work primarily for themselves, that it is a compulsion or inner drive, and that they work the way they do because it feels right to them. Whether or not others like what they do may seem secondary. But a basic aspect of art is communication. We want to give our viewers something to respond to, to get involved with, and to bring out some thought or emotion, and perhaps respond enough to own the work.

From the artist’s perspective, working alone in the studio, this communication can seem very one-sided. We don't have an actual person with us to be another set of eyes, even though we are aware that people will eventually be in that position when we show the work. As a result, we often create viewers in the studio who are imaginary. And as such they tend to be an inconsitent, vague conglomerate with shifting opinions and advice.

The best advice has always been to make your best art for yourself and If it is good work, it will attract viewers who appreciate it. Thinking of it first as your own expression means that your work will be meaningful and authentic to you. But given that it's hard to avoid thinking of imaginary viewers as you work, it's also helpful to form a positive image of who they are. And rather than letting this be only a vague idea, it is helpful to get specific about the characteristics of your ideal, imaginary viewer. This viewer may be quite similar to yourself, but also enough removed to be able to offer constructive advice.

Many of us deal with invisible presences in the studio, and at times they are confusing in what we imagine them saying. And as with many aspects of the creative process, awareness of how you are affected is key. When our imaginary friends and critics are not useful, we need to be careful not to give them too much power. Inviting your imaginary ideal viewer into your studio can provide guidance, inspiration, and truly constructive criticism.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
The Summer Quarter of Cold Wax Academy's membership program is now underway. Rebecca and Jerry's upcoming weekly live, online sessions will explore Personal Voice and Composition and continue the topic of Professional Development with some special guests. Member Critiques and Painting Clinics, Cold Wax Academy's new feature, are ongoing. You can join the membership program anytime and catch up with past recorded sessions at your own pace. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information.

Also-- stay tuned for information coming soon about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. You can learn more and make a reservation by emailing info@coldwaxacademy.com. A dedicated Espacio website is coming soon!

Episode 211: Meaning in Abstraction

Rebecca Crowell — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 15:00:00 -0500

Abstract art --especially the kind that has no identifiable imagery-- may appear to have little meaning to the viewer beyond its purely visual appeal. Certainly, we can admire and respond to abstraction without needing a story or an explanation, as long as our eyes are intrigued or delighted, and that is an important way it can be appreciated. But in fact, ideas, emotions, and other points of reference lie behind even the most purely abstract work. Today we will consider the ideas that compel abstract artists and guide them in their work.

While a painting can never be fully explained, and can definitely be over-analyzed, understanding the general realm of ideas that lie behind an abstract work adds to your experience as a viewer. In reading artist statements and biographies, we can see that their sources of ideas in abstraction can be surprisingly specific and autobiographical. The process of interpreting ideas, images, emotions, information, and memories in visual language is challenging and requires a balance of intuition and intellect.

Abstract painting requires abstract thinking for both the artist and the viewer. Avoiding literal or illustrational approaches when working from specific ideas means being open-ended, flexible, and treating specific references more as jumping off points than as something you insist the viewer take from your work. There is a huge component of interpretation in all types of abstraction, and an abstract artist needs to allow guidance from ideas but without a need to dictate how others respond to the work.

Finding and expressing meaning in your work, however you create it, is key to having passion and involvement in the studio. For abstract artists there are special challenges in interpreting their ideas, and for viewers it means entering a world without labels and strict definition. A very different kind of conversation happens outside the realm of easily identifiable imagery. Intuition and imagination are important to both seeing and appreciating abstraction.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry are busy planning the Summer Quarter of their membership program which begins on July 13. These exciting sessions will explore Personal Voice and Composition and continue the topic of Professional Development with some special guests. Member Critiques and Painting Clinics, Cold Wax Academy's new feature, are ongoing. You can join the membership program anytime and catch up with past recorded sessions at your own pace. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information

Episode 177: Searching for Stories

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 08 May 2021 14:00:00 -0500

Since the beginning of time, artists have told stories with their work. Sometimes the messages are straightforward and other times open to interpretation. Stories can be told with recognizable imagery, with symbols, and even with purely abstract elements. At the heart of telling stories is our desire to communicate and the human love of narrative. Do you think of your work as telling stories? In today’s discussions, we hope to open your mind to the narrative aspects of your work and perhaps enable you to mine your stories for new ideas.

Throughout art history, storytelling has been a primary function of art, using stories from religion, history, and the legends of various cultures. We also find many personal stories, relating to individual artist's experiences. Considering visual expression as stories that record your life, your feelings and thoughts may be a new way of thinking especially in abstraction. But what is a story in its essence? It's something that takes us away from ordinary thoughts and perceptions, shifts our viewpoint, and transports us in some way. This magic happens visually as well as verbally, and for the artist as well as the viewer.

Although visual stories may not follow the conventions of plot development and narrative arc that we find in written or verbal stories, there are similarities, including the dynamic of conflict and resolution. As artists, we manipulate the visual elements on a journey that involves both contrast and harmony A useful term in thinking about this aspect of abstraction is "abstract narrative." Thinking about your own abstract work as a narrative may help you to have patience and trust as it unfolds, much as a novelist allows characters to develop and find a voice.

We can say things visually that go beyond words, but being conscious of your sources of ideas, the stories you want to tell, can strengthen your work. Stories bring meaning to any kind of art but in abstraction this perspective can help you find a voice and personal direction, because we all have stories to tell.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating, and especially to Jennifer Smith for her monthly donation! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.

Thank you also to everyone who has written testimonials for Ross's website! Have you enjoyed the audio production quality and hearing Ross's voice? Submit a testimonial by email at rticknor.core@gmail.com or by submitting the contact form at www.messystudiopodcast.com!

When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

What's new at Cold Wax Academy? Rebecca and Jerry are busy preparing new presentations for their Spring Quarter weekly live, interactive sessions. The topics for Spring are Shape, Scale and Proportion, and Self-Coaching to improve your work habits and productivity.

As always, there will be plenty of opportunities to interact with Rebecca, Jerry, and other members, along with critique sessions, feedback about your paintings, and of course a deep dive into the three selected topics of the quarter. Cold Wax Academy has been receiving lots of rave reviews from its members; they know it is the best online learning for cold wax painting available and the only membership program dedicated to this medium. Find out more at www.coldwaxacademy.com

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

Episode 172: Building A Connection

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Creating art is a way to share our thoughts, the ways we see the world, and experience life. This communication is vital-- even when we’re immersed in our process, thinking only of the next step ahead--our unseen, largely unknown audience is with us. Very few artists work in total isolation, with no desire to connect or communicate with viewers. Yet artists are also encouraged to follow their own vision, to not let other people’s reactions pull them off track. Today we’ll toss around some thoughts about the desire to connect with our viewers, and what this means in the studio.

The artists personal connection to the work, and in making the work is important in communicating to the viewer a sense of humanity, that their experiences and ideas connect with someone else’s, and that there is mutual validation in both artist and viewer when the connection is made.

From the artist’s perspective, the primary impetus for making art may be self-expression rather than communication with others, but as soon as the work is out in public, the viewer’s responses complete the cycle of communication. Most of us feel deep satisfaction in knowing someone appreciates and understands our work.

For the viewer, connection is vital. If no way of understanding the work is evident, even in an intuitive way, impatience and frustration often set in quickly. Ambiguity and multiple interpretations are fine but there still needs to be some basic structure or purpose sensed in the work. Without that, ambiguity is just muddle.

When an artist has clarity and purpose, the viewer senses this and can enter the work as in a conversation or in appreciation of a story. It’s the job of the artist to create this conversation and invite the viewer to participate.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.

Thank you also to everyone who has written testimonials for Ross's website! Have you enjoyed the audio production quality and hearing Ross's voice? Submit a testimonial by email at rticknor.core@gmail.com or by submitting the contact form at www.messystudiopodcast.com!

When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

It's time for an update on the latest news from Cold Wax Academy! Rebecca and her partner Jerry Mclaughlin are now well into their second quarter of weekly Live sessions for their members, in which they explore 3 main topics in deep, interrelated, and engaging ways. This quarter, those topics are Texture, Layering, and Writing and Talking about your Work. Weekly sessions include discussion, slide presentations, videos, critiques, special guests, and the opportunty to ask questions during the session. Cold Wax Academy Members have access to all past sessions, which are recorded each week--so if you're hesitating to join mid-quarter, no worries about missing out. There is plenty for you to explore, and you can watch previous sessions on your own schedule. Jerry and Rebecca offer for a trial month at the Core level for only $29.99. Visit www.coldwaxacademy.com and
and click on the Memberships button.

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.coldwaxacademy.com

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.