Word Tattoo

I invite you to join me on a journey to explore memories of the future.

a blog by john-michael korpal

How to Find Your Purpose and Do What You Love

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Today was filled with a whirlwind of activities in the studio and then I escaped for a break in the afternoon for a Mocha at my favorite coffee shop… I over heard a conversation between two women, they were discussing how one finds their purpose these day. Although, I felt it would have been rude to join their conversation… but, I did start my own internal one in my head.

 

How did I find my purpose…and how has that idea evolved, as I have grown older?

 

The first answer that came to mind was that I have made tons of mistakes and I have tried to learn something from each one of them. The second was that I have always been surround by people that have inspired me.  Teaching me through example, allowing me the opportunity to see through their actions, the type of life they created. It is through this process that I learned who I wanted to become as an individual and who I did not want to become.  I am thankful to all the individuals that I have shared paths with. It is because of them that I am on the path I am today.

 

For all these people in my life , I want to say thank you. Thank you for being the person that you are/were and allowing me to learn from your mistakes… and avoid pathways that were not meant for me.

 

Sometimes to learn what you love and be able to act upon it you have to be willing to let go of the things and walk away from things that do not bring you joy.

 

Life is a collective of everything that you have done and everything that has been done to you.  But you get to choose how you allow that to affect you and how you express that back into the world.  Do what you love and your purpose will unfold before your eyes.

The only limitations are the ones you are willing to accept!

 

sky 7-22-13

 

4 Steps To A More Productive Creative Process

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Deadlines and stress can be damaging to the creative process. It causes our creative energy to freeze up and often mis-fire. I will admit there are the few individuals out there that thrive under stress but for the rest of us maintaining a productive flow of creative thoughts while dealing with stress is difficult. There are 4 steps that I have found beneficial to nurture the creative process.

 

1. Space /Distance:

When you feel overwhelmed by the “stuff” that needs to be done, it is difficult to focus on the playful quality that is necessary to tap in into creative energy. First find a quiet place that you can spend time and not be interrupted by anything. Turn off the computer, the phone and anything else that might make noise. Place distance between you and everything that might distract you.

 

2. Time:

Allow yourself a set amount of time. Whether this is per day, week or month make sure that you schedule the same amount of time for each session. Break this down into two sections:  For example: you have two hours to dedicate for being creative time. The first 30 minutes you can focus and banish the extraneous things out of your mind. Write down ideas or go through notes or doodles that you have accumulated. This is your time to explore, fumble, ponder things and even make mistakes. This time allows space for your brain to switch gears. The next 90 minutes you find that you have produced a firm platform for a better quality mindset. You will find that you are more focused, and energized. Your ideas will be better organized and you will have a better idea of how to move forward with them. This will bring an element of fluidity to your creative process.

 

3. Self-Confidence:

You have to be willing to stand your ground with the understanding that you will create the very best that you can. Go boldly forward, if you make a mistake step back reassess and decide if you want to continue on this path or chose a different one. This is your time to explore be brave and have fun with it.

 

4. Laughter:

Creative adventures are meant to be fun. So relax and enjoy the journey.  Explore your creative ideas and discover what wonderful places they may lead you. Make it fun; remember something that is created from joy will be much more fulfilling then something created from stress.

 

Over time this process will become easier, and before you know it, you will look forward to your creative time and be amazed by not only the amount of creative ideas that you produce, but you will be proud that you were the one that created them.

Above all remember this is to be fun!

My Art ~ My Responsibility

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Very good day in the studio today! The to–do list for the month is becoming shorter and shorter each day!  All paintings are accessorized with D-rings and hanging wires… ready to ship. Now, the quest to find the perfect shipping box for each one has begun.

 

As I move forward into this I am learning how to explore different paths and still maintain focus on my goals. While remaining fluid enough in my process as not to become frustrated [freaked out] during the challenging moments (although, I do still get very frustrated).

 

One of the concepts that I am exploring is something that has never really presented itself in the past… but these days I feel more responsible for what I put out in the world with my artwork. I realize that the art is an extension of myself, but the minute it leaves the studio the artwork expands and takes on a life of its own…  because of this I understand and accept the fact that I have no control over the reactions it may invoke. It is similar to raising a child you can only teach them so much, but in the end they have to make their own decisions. I am putting my art out into the world with the hopes that it serves as a vessel to invite individuals the opportunity to question their thoughts and beliefs and potentially experiencing things differently.

 

Something else that I have been reminded of today as I work in the studio… is the fact that when sending art out into the world and sharing with individuals that you may never see that piece again.  Art is a process of creating, releasing and letting go.  Realizing that you have given birth to the artwork with the understanding that it will continue to express even when you have perished.

 

I am responsible for what I send out into our world.

 

World in my hands

Potential Artist Gathering~

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I am playing with the idea of creating an “Artist Gathering” on Monday evenings from 7-9.

 

I am at that point in my career as an artist, where I have learned many things and in the process I have realized there is even more out there that I need to learn.  I think that most artists are traveling on a similar path… just at different milestones.

 

My goal with creating this artist gathering is to promote a neutral setting to meet up and share thoughts and ideas while utilizing the collective knowledge to help us as artist to evolve to the next level.  Everyone has their strengths…and everyone has something they could learn. This would also create an opportunity for artist to leave their studios/desk/ computers and share ideas and current projects with other artist in real time. I am open to ideas and suggestions as to what this might look like … ideas?

weekly?

every two weeks?

monthly?

 

Topics that we might be able to help each other out with:

Marketing

Shows

Websites

Techniques

Inspirations for future works

Things that work… things that do not work!

…etc.

 

 

Discuss~

 

Creative Pause

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In Edward de Bono’s paper for International Journal of Psychoanalysis, Professor Lajos Székely describes creative pause as follows:

The ‘creative pause’ is defined as the time interval, which begins when the thinker interrupts conscious preoccupation with an unsolved problem, and ends when the solution to the problem unexpectedly appears in consciousness. (“The Creative Pause”, 1967)

 

How are “you” going to figure out a “Creative Pause” from everything and finally allow your mind and body to relax from all the cascading elements of everyday life?

 

This was the morning message from my body. I woke up tired and feeling as if my body had been beating during the night… as I stood in the mirror I realized I was the only suspect being held in custody for this.

 

Being an artist I have the wonderful ability to realize new and creative elements in almost everything I see and because of this my mind gets very few opportunities to shut down and recharge. Except for when I fall over in a heap at night and get dragged into sleep as I am kicking and screaming, “I just need to finish one more thing, please!” But I know this is not good for my creative process or for my physical body. Although, this is how I have moved forward in my life.

 

Most of fears (rational and otherwise) along with my desires for creating this life and the creation of my artwork stems from both my conscious and subconscious mind. Here they are realized and then resolved by the same creative process.

 

I am good at structuring my life so I get the best use of my time, even to the point where I can multi-task and get three things done at the same time.  I do try to schedule fun things as well like reading, a long walk in the park and even a nice relaxing coffee beverage in the mid afternoon. But even during all of this my brain does not stop, it is processing and plotting and planning. I have learned because of this when I rush into solutions, my mind jumps to the easiest and most familiar route and then moves on to the next issue at hand.

 

Although, if I allow myself some distance from the situation, to walk away from it for a moment, my brain works in a more creative fashion. Allowing different solutions to materialize out from the mist giving me better choices to choose from.

 

My goal in July is to create some new rules to schedule allocated blocks of time for my “creative pause”, because this mind and body of mine needs a break!

 

 

 

 

Eidolon Artist 2.0 ~ Group Art Show

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Even thought I spent many hours in the studio, I do take time out to interact with other fellow artists. One of the wonderful ways that I am able to do this is that I am a member of Eidolon Artist 2.0, an artists’ group based in Chicago.  Gathering for the past four months we have shared ideas and supported each other in our creative processes. Eidolon Artist 2.0 mission is to provide a safe and creative environment to promote artistic growth and exploration, with a bit of whimsy and play. Eidolon Artist 2.0 has decided that it is time to share our artwork with the world!

 

Opening night is July 3, 2013, 6-8 pm at “The Common Cup” located at 1501 West Morse Ave.

 

Please join us for an evening of art! 

 

The Common CupThe Common Cup

1501 West Morse Ave

Chicago, IL 60626

(773) 338-2056

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If in the event you are unable to attend Wednesday evening.

The artwork will be up for viewing until July 31, 2013.

 

“I try to believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast!”

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This is how I start my day, everyday.  What it is that makes something seem impossible? I think it is the modus that we perceive an undertaking.

 

Often what we think or believe is what will either push an individual onward to new levels of accomplishments or it will create the chains that will hold you back. If you think you can do it… or if you think you can’t do it. Then you are completely correct.

 

If you are told that “something” is impossible to achieve and you choose to believe that. You have just given away your power. If in those situations you possess the courage to embrace that power and thrown caution to the wind. I am sure that you will find that you will be able to achieve what was once thought impossible!

 

That awesome moment when you realize that you hold the ability to achieved the impossible. You start to wonder what is next? What is the next impossible thing that I can achieve? This creates a wonderful rush of adenine while opening us to a greater sense of wonder and self-awareness.

Acknowledging that as individuals we possess the power and ability to create a reality that fulfills our hopes and dreams.

 

I try to believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast…

 

What are yours?

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

6.)

Little Moments Of Reflection

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Stop and acknowledge one detail that you do every day and perform it with full consciousness.

 

The one thing that I have been fascinated with has been washing my hands. I know it seems simple and common but it has created such an interesting realization for me.  What that feels like and the associations I have attached to them.  The sensation of the soap covering them and the warmth of the water flowing over the tops and underside of my hands while filling the room with the scent of the of the Nag Champa soap.  This moment causes me to stop as I explore the contours of my hands, my fingers and even the lines and bumps from the veins below the skin surface.  I take these moments to appreciate my hands for all that they do. From the basic everyday things: as opening doors, picking up a pen and holding the fork as I take a bite of my food.

 

But, am also thankful for these hands as they provide for my livelihood in my work doing bodywork/massage and also these are the hands that allow me to create my artwork, they also help to inform with my communication both in spoken word and ASL… and even in the process of typing this post.  All of this flows through my mind as I feel the heat of the water softening the muscles and washing always the residue each time, preparing them for the next task in my world. I realize it seems such a small thing and I have never really given it much thought, until several days ago when I was washing my hands in the sink and looked down at my soapy hands and stopped because it seemed so overwhelming that I had never appreciated them for all that they do…

 

John-Michael's hand

 

Without the acknowledgement of the smaller things we are unable to create the larger things in life.

 

So for this I am thankful!

Creating and Selling Art~ Not The Same Thing

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The past several days have I have been riding on an emotional roller coaster, not the fun ones where you have your arms waving in the air screaming as it plunges down forty stories, think more like you are clinging to the railing as your eyes are closed tightly and your month is shut for fear of losing your lunch. All is well but sometimes when my comfort level has been pushed (even if I am the one pushing). It causes me to be a little stressed.

 

The question: “How do I move forward with the business aspect of the art? It is the act of building the foundation and wanting to use the correct bricks (color and size) to make sure that it will support the structure. Then you realize that the only reference book that you have available is “Bricks for Dummies”. It helps to create that glorious feeling of nausea in the pit of your stomach. Welcome to my creative process.

 

There is the making of the art and then the selling of the art. One would think this would be an easy and natural progression from one stage to the other…it is not. It is very difficult for me to determine prices for my artwork. Although, sometimes I do know the price in my head while I am creating the work and other times, I have no clue. In these situations I sit down and write about the process and how and explore how a particular price feels for that piece, do I feel comfortable with that or does it make me cringe? Does it reflect the integrity of the piece?  There is also the element of figuring out potential titles, but that is a completely different issue.

 

I am just trying to tie all the lose ends together as I prepare to send out another batch of entries for potential shows. In my mind I think this process should look like creating fine lace… but instead I have created a lop- sided macramé plant holder with wooden beads woven into the design. It would be nice to think that as time goes on the business process gets easier… and well it does not, if anything it becomes more difficult because you learn more things that you need to consider making it more of a complicated process.

 

I am hoping that my sense of humor will help to lessen the stress, as of yet, no such luck. But laughing can only helping!