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

Episode 225: When Less Is More

Rebecca Crowell — Sun, 16 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0500

For some artists, bringing meaning to their abstract work is hard because they lack ideas, or direction, or a true sense of connection to the work. But for others the problem is the opposite. They have so many thoughts, feelings, and references they want to work with that they become overwhelmed and frustrated. Today we want to talk about the value of focus in your ideas for abstract work, and what happens when your they are too complex and create blocks in your expression.

Often, to bring personal meaning to abstraction people develop complex stories with a range of ideas they want to bring to the work. These references may be personal or may be broader world issues like climate change or war. Ideas are certainly important, but it takes focus to express meaning in abstraction. Working in abstraction is not a great approach for dictating how the work will be seen and interpreted. Anyone looking at your work will have their own interpretations; that is the nature of abstraction.

It is the beauty and challenge of abstract work that it is not read like a story, but received as a complete impression, so it needs to work visually foremost. Your ideas are important as guides in choosing the aspects of form in your painting, in arriving at the composition, shapes, colors, lines, and textures. But realize that having too many ideas can negates the ability to create a strong visual statement.

Like so much in art, limitations allow us to go deeper. A focused, simple idea is less likely to become too literal because it allows for an expansion of thought. When you try to pack in too much, your viewer has less room for involvement. Clear ideas on your part can act as excellent guides in your choices. But then you need to step back and let it be what it is to another person. This is a key attitude in working abstractly.

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 have just launched 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 such as photographing your art work and using Procreate. 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.

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!

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."

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 156: Abstracting with Lines and Marks

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 14:00:00 -0600

Lines and marks in a work of art connect the viewer very directly with the hand of the artist. They can express individuality, add structure, and show evidence of the artist’s process. Perhaps because these visual elements can reveal so much, many artists are self-conscious about using them and when they do, the results can appear contrived, awkward, or random. How can we use lines and marks in purposeful ways that feel right to us? What might more intentional use of lines and marks bring to our work?

Similar to the urge to view a Rembrandt or Van Gogh from inches away to see their individual brushstrokes, we are often drawn in to examine a work up close when it includes lines and marks, and we can sense the artists hand at work. There is often an immediacy and directness in part becasue just a simple tool has been used--a pencil, crayon, or brush. In abstraction, marks and lines as visual elements can be created for their own sakes or for expressing a huge range of emotions and ideas.

As artists using marks and lines, we need to remember that not that every line or mark works or should be retained. As with any visual element marks and lines need to work within the context of the piece. It often takes trial and error, and thoughtful editing to discover the right placement or type of mark. Yet we also need to resist the inner critic who may caution us that lines and marks are too revealing or too quirky. On the other hand, a good way to shake up a painting that is too tight is to apply a spontaneous mark that you then need to react to.

Although there is much to explore with mark-making it is a visual element with which many artists never become fluent. Making marks and lines for their own sakes does not always come easily. Certainly, many wonderful abstract works of art do not include this element, but it is worth asking yourself if it’s one you avoid because it is too challenging, and to consider what a focus on mark-making might bring to your abstract work.

We are approaching the end of the year, which means whoever prepares your taxes is about to tell you to spend money on tax deductable items for your art business... When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast!
www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and those who have donated anonymously via PayPal. If you would like your own shoutout on the podcast donate here.

Cold Wax Academy (formerly Squeegee Press) would like everyone who enjoys using their special cold wax tools to know that all sizes of SP Create squeegees are back in stock! Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are also launching their online live learning sessions as part of the new membership program, and all sessions will be recorded for future viewing by members. For more information, and to become a member of Cold Wax Academy please visit their website at http://www.coldwaxacademy.com and click on the Membership 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.

Episode 127: Visual Language

Rebecca Crowell — Sat, 30 May 2020 04:00:00 -0500

Learning to use the visual elements and design principles in your work is often compared to acquiring vocabulary and then being able to use those words to communicate. It also means being able understand better what other artists have to say in their work. This understanding is basic and contributes to your growth for your whole artistic life. It also grows in tandem with intuitive responses and understanding. Yet many artists do not progress much beyond a limited vocabulary, used in only a few repeated combinations. Today we will give a perspective on the benefits of growing your visual vocabulary.

It’s hard to progress as an artist without a good understanding of the basic concepts of the visual elements and design principles. Although learning about the visual elements and design prinicples can seem academic, a working knowledge of these widens your range of ideas, helps you to evaluate your work as you go, and helps establish personal voice and direction. Basic concepts are vital at any stage, and even very experienced artists benefit from revisiting them often along with changes in your work.

So many aspects of art involve balancing different approaches, and it's important to note that intuition plays as much a role in manipulating elements of our work as does more objective knowledge. Knowledge itself is not inhibiting. It leads to understanding that is implanted in your creative approaches, a basis that once solid you can step away from more easily. Explore what works for you, starting with your natural inclinations toward particular elements and compositions. It is an exciting journey involving an infinite number of combinations and interactions,

As a beginner, you can learn about the visual elements (line, color, value, shape, and texture) and the design principles (which describe ways of combining the visual elements into compositions) in many ways. You can find resources online, in books, and in workshops or classes. But practice and exploration in the studio are essential. Working not only with the elements and prinicples that appeal to you strongly but also those that are more difficult offers a lifetime of creative challenge and oppotunity.

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

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

The Messy Studio is a CORE Publication MGMT production.