How is the artwork coming along?  You ask….

I promised you last week that I would include current images of the artwork. Although, it has been several days that I have sat with the paintings and they have had nothing to share with me, no insights to what might be the next step. It is clear to me that I am not done… but I do not know the next step.

The process of creating art for me is often somewhat of a double edge sword. There is the side that is smooth and polishes and refines me as I rub against it and then there is the edge that is rough and rips open the flesh for new growth to begin.  This piece has presented more of a rough, ripping edge. It has challenged and created a different level of expectation for me to strive towards in my work. It also has made me re-evaluate my use of time throughout the day. Even though I realized that there are only 24 hours in a day I still at times refuse to acknowledge that this phenomena also applies to me (much to my dismay).

Having this unrealistic perception of time allows me the strength to feel that I can step up and conquered the world, but it also leaves even more opportunity for me to feel that I have failed because “things” take longer than I think they should. This is the part that is difficult for me in the creative process. Living up to my own expectations and the feelings of disappointment when I feel that I have failed. This is not created by the words or actions of anyone, but my own internal voice.  So that is a struggle in addition to what happens on the canvas. So even thought these paintings do not contain any visible reds, it does contain some physiologically symbolic bloodletting.

This piece has challenged me in many ways that I never expected. I am grateful for the challenge, but sometimes a small breather would be welcomed.

There is a saying that, “What does not kill you, will make you stronger”.

I prefer my version, “What does not challenge you, will not help you to evolve”.

Spending Monday in the studio has really been a great way to begin my week. I feel that I have been able to focus more and get some really good work done, both on the off the easel. The paintings are moving along quite nicely and it seems that I will be able to finish them before my (personally inflicted) deadline of March 1. Next week, I promise to post current images for you to see (this is the subtle hint that you need to check back and visit here often).

I have also been working on promoting my blog “Word Tattoo” to help increase the readership. This process has a bit of a steep learning curve for me. So I am humbly asking for some help to make this process move forward with more grace and elegance (and a little less crash and burn). If you know anyone that you think would enjoy and benefit from my insights to how art informs my world. I would greatly appreciate the exposure. You can do this by cut and pasting this link http://johnmichaelkorpal.com/blog/  and forwarding to them. You can also sign up on the websites’ blog page and “Word Tattoo” will magically show up in your e-mail each time something new is posted.

If you use Facebook or Twitter, come introduce yourself because I like to be able to put a face to the name.

Here is my Facebook Link

Here is my Twitter Link

I am sad to say that not everyday in the studio is focused and productive… today was proof of that. One of the issues with working in oil paint is the time necessary for it to dry…  (yes, the logical thing would be to work on two paintings at the same time and switch back and forth…but). What was planned for today has to wait a bit because my brush strokes were dragging my hand through surfaces that were still wet. Different colors of paint take different amounts of time to dry and Payne’s Gray takes a very long time to dry.

So many other things needed to be finish in the studio but the grayness of the day caused me to pull the blankets over my head and hide. I still have the list of things that need to get done today. But, instead of starting them at 9am as I had originally planned I am starting at 6 pm. So it will be a very long evening, as I slowly mark items off of my list.

The piece below is about 50% finished and as of yet it has not claimed a title. I am enjoying the process because it seems to be stretching across several dimensions of time: past, future and present. All of which seem to be interchangeable but in the end they join at the here and now.

I was looking over some of images from each phase of the painting and was able to see a pattern in how I move forward in a piece. I learn something interesting about my own creative process. As a general rule I prefer working in a larger scale. But the manner that I approach a piece is by breaking it down into smaller components and working on each individual part. Then when all of the elements are connected… the piece becomes one. Which seems very simple, but in the moment it informed me of my creative process differently. So it will be interesting to see how this painting will change with my new insight.

Date for this to be finish is March 1, 2013. I will keep you posted!

Look back
Re~focus
Look forward

At the beginning of the year I sat down and made a list of things that I could do that would help me become a better artist. The number one thing that I came up with was to be able to dedicate more time to the art-making process and making that a priority. So I have started to dedicate one entire day (Monday) to that process it can take any form it just has to do with creating art.  So today it took the form of writing and summiting an article about Paint brushes and what are some of the different types and what effects you can expect from them. Reshot some images of artwork for the website I created this blog entry and  did some research for the painting that I am currently working on…and more than likely I will work on the painting tonight.

The part that I found very interesting was that yes, I had goals for the day. But it was not about finishing the projects but that I enjoyed them while I was working on them. I was enjoying the process or the journey. I knew that I was going to finish everything on my list so I was able to relax and enjoy the process. I was even able to study and practice my French for a bit today…and even took myself out for lunch.

One of the goals was to finish reading “Art & Fear~ Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking”  by David Bayles & Ted Orland, it was an amazing book that really caused me to step out of my comfort zone and then look back over my shoulder to see what it looked like.  I was surprised …when I stepped out of my comfort zone the circle surrounding me became larger and my understanding expanded, the object that was so feared dissolved.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is “The answers you get depend upon the questions you ask” Thomas Kuhn   So it seems more important these day that I ask myself the correct questions and not be so concerned about the answers.  Just need to allow them the room to inform me but not limit me.

So… I am already looking forward to next Monday to see what adventures await me in the studio.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” ~ Edgar Degas

Have you ever walked by the same place day after day never noticing anything different, one day you stop and see something that you never have before… but when you start to investigate you learn that it has been there all along?

This has happened to me recently. …

Keys have been fascinating me lately, more specifically skeleton keys. I do not have any logical reasoning why this has started. This has caused me to do some research in why we often notice something new that has always been there and in doing so I have come across a new term that has totally consumed my thoughts.

The term is phenomenology; Phenomenology is the study of structures of consciousness as experienced from the first-person point of view. The central structure of an experience is its intentionality, its being directed toward something, as it is an experience of or about some object. An experience is directed toward an object by virtue of its content or meaning (which represents the object) together with appropriate enabling conditions.

Phenomenology as a discipline is distinct from but related to other key disciplines in philosophy, such as ontology, epistemology, logic, and ethics. Phenomenology has been practiced in various guises for centuries, but it came into its own in the early 20th century in the works of Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and others. Phenomenological issues of intentionality, consciousness, qualia, and first-person perspective have been prominent in recent philosophy of mind.

This is how I feel about my sudden interest in skeleton keys. The ideas of keys are symbolic to me on many levels.

Keys:

Lock doors, protecting us

Open doors and free us.

They can hold the answers to hopes and dreams.

The skeleton keys hold an element of mystery for me. They have protected things of the past…   physically and emotionally for many years. Treasures of written words and forbidden thoughts were hidden from the eyes of many. They have also been used to free us of things that have bound mind and body of so many.

I am excited of the possibilities that these skeleton keys will unlock in my reality. I look forward and embrace the experience of why they are here and what they will reveal within me that has been hidden behind this thin opaque veil.

Keys to the imagination…

I was very humbled by the responses that I received to my question, What Inspires you?

In reading them I found that most had a common connection to nature, and I find this true with myself. That often what surround us is also what inspires us.

To be completely honest I did not know how this project was going to move forward. My first thought was to condense the e-mails and then give you a summary or a “cliff note” version. But when I sat down and started to read them. It became clear that I wanted to maintain the voice and the spirit of each individual, because that is the most important part of what creativity is, not only the object but it is the energy of the individual that is breathed into the experience.

These are just parts of each response.

***

… the rhythms of nature, by the ocean’s different moods – calm and serene at times, and stormy and angry at others – and the way that sand, rock and leaves changes, erode and transform over time. At the moment I am also very inspired by the insects and other creatures around us – whether they fly, crawl, skitter, bore, burrow or screech. And at the same time I am inspired by moments – with loved ones; insights when I spend time alone; seeing kindness and compassion; and those precious moments when you notice or feel something normal or ‘everyday’ becoming special and extraordinary. And last but not least – I am inspired by other artists, writers and performers…

*** 

…gardening inspires me, but more specifically, dwarf conifers really get me going.  In the realm of creation, they are magnificent and they bring joy and happiness to my life and center me so that I can be creative. Rocks inspire me.  I have always been in awe of rocks.  I know how they are made and the resulting beauty of each rock transcends imagination.  I often ask people who travel to bring me a stone or rock …

*** 

… some of my creative expressions, being a non-artist?  My home is very much my refuge; so rearranging the art I collect is enjoyable as an activity and also lets me appreciate each piece in a new and different way.  Changing an item’s location or juxtaposition with other pieces can reveal a beauty or detail not previously obvious.

It may sound crazy, but I also enjoy giving wonderful gifts.  This isn’t about the money spent or specifically the materialistic value of an item, its about the creativity of delving into someone’s interests and knowing them well enough to find something that will delight and inspire them, perhaps something they didn’t know they wanted or would enjoy…. something sensual about art and the creative process.  To me it is about turning our awareness to our senses, letting the mind and emotions be unconstrained by the conventional…

***

… the blooming of Spring… new life The beauty of the yard awakening from a long winter’s nap.Seeing my child becoming a loving and caring person to everyone he comes in contact with on a daily basis.
Seeing all of our kids and grandchildren learning and growing each and every day.
Knowing that I have done the best that I could for all of them…

***

… is truly great music. Mahler, Strauss, anything musically Baroque especially the French Baroque, fabulous Queer fiction, walking on a beach at the Atlantic Ocean, preferably on Cape Cod in the winter when no one else is there. Walking through the giant sequoias north of San Francisco…

*** 

So thank you for everyone’s time and interest.  I think as an artist the sharing of ideas causes us to grow and expand our potential to become the person we meant to become. This was a great way for me to start my morning!  I hope it inspired you as well!

Be bold and fearless in the creation of your life. Go forth and fill the world with love and compassion. For we all have the need to create and be loved!

Happy New Year!

Today during my morning meditation I reflected on some of the amazing moments of last year.  My hopes and dreams some of which have come full circle and some still need more time and effort lavished upon them.

I have taken many risks and ventured into different lands that challenged me as I stepped out of my comfort zone. I made my share of mistakes, but I learned many wonderful things.

I learned, fear of the unknown, is a tool to help become more creative. In my childhood fear was taught to protect and help make life seem safer. I have learned that I now have other choices:

• I could surrender, give away my power and remain stuck, afraid of what might or might not happen.
• I can push through fear, explore it, learn about it and transform it into a valued resource to create artwork. Things are always scary until you confront them and then fear dissipates.

My goal is to move forward into the new year to be less afraid and be more bold and strong in working toward my dreams. I want to use my time and energy to the best of my ability to create a better and happier place for myself and everyone in my world.

I would like to acknowledge my gratitude for the passing year and the wonderful events that have unfolded. There still is a list of things I want to accomplish. I have been able to make huge strides in my artwork and this makes me very happy! I also want to extent a special thank you to everyone for all of your comments, suggestions and continued support.

Happy Year New!
Namasté

New artwork is happening on my easel these days. I began these early last week and have been working on it every couple of night to allow the paint to dry. My thought/creative process behind it… well it is a bit confusing and there have been many little things that have contributed their input in the process,

• A green flannel shirt of a client
• A shell shaped ashtray
• An image of stained glass I found searching on Google.
• And several hours of staring at a blank canvas.

Mix all of this together add  little bits of frustration, brief moments of clarity and this is how I have moved forward to this point here and now. The canvases are 20 in x 30 in. I cropped the images to show what is there so far, this is just the top of the canvas the lower parts are still blank and awaiting inspiration.

Thoughts that have spiraled in my mind while painting…and these are not in any particular order…the thoughts or my list.

water, clean, shells, safety, protection, home, light, glass, illuminations, duality, blue, calm, what is left behind as we move forward, circle, continuation, texture, color, sound of the ocean, salt, structure, organic, reflective,

I have reached that pivotal point in time where the painting has to inform me to what is to happen next… I do know there is to be a little bit of Persian blue surrounding the nautilus shell in the center, which I will put in when I get home this evening.

So until the canvas informs me of the next step… it will remain a mystery to us both.

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone”
― Pablo Picasso