Creative Mindset

I find myself getting depressed when I’ve been away from engaging in creative endeavors like painting and photography for long periods of time.  That’s why its so important for artists to set aside time to explore and seriously investigate their art no matter what their medium may be.  Let’s face it…most artists don’t make a living with their art. I’m certainly one of those individuals.  I teach more than a full load of classes both in the classroom and online, in addition to having many administrative duties at the college where I work.  Art is a integral part of my life and being away from it impacts my state of mind in a negative way. I’m constantly driven to photograph, write and occasionally paint, however my “day job”  sucks me dry to the point where  I have no creative energy left to make images, paint or even do any serious, thoughtful writing.

Over the years I’ve learned it takes me a good week away from my regular job to decompress and get myself in a conducive mindset to seriously create.  Sure..I can take some decent photographs on the weekend if  I can get myself into the mood to pick up a camera and get outside to shoot, BUT in reality the creative experience is so much more fulfilling and enriching when I can get away to a retreat, workshop or just break from my normal routine to explore my creative side. It’s so easy to loose touch with the artist within and sometimes I admit I feel like  I have.  That’s when I realize I must designate some serious time to get away from the demands of the “day job” and just photograph, write and paint.  This is one of the reasons I’m looking forward to retirement, because I can focus more time and energy on my creative endeavors than constantly trying to make a buck.

In order to truly immerse oneself in the creative process artists must be free from the distractions of the daily grind.  This is the challenge for most artistic people.  To let the demands of the world go in order to search within ourselves  and seriously begin the journey through the creative process.

St. Steven's Green by Patrick Keough

I believe it all starts with living “in the moment” and being hypersensitive to the world around us when we are drawing, painting, photographing and/or writing.  Learning to let go of the past and not be dwelling on the future is key to taking our art to a higher, more expressive level.  This is easier said than done – at least it is for me.  I’m planning a workshop  next August at the Anam Cara Artist Retreat where we will not only be exploring our respective art forms, we will also be applying some creative techniques for SEEING the world in new and creative ways while CONNECTING with external and internal reality and using these references to fuel our art.

Oxymoron?

I’ve been mulling over this blog essay for many weeks now so I suppose it’s time to get it “out there”. I’ve been called an oxymoron on more than one occasion, and I suppose it’s true considering  I’m an artist (like to think I am), photographer and teacher of art history.  Most artists and people in the arts tend to be liberal.  When they find out I’m a conservative they are initially shocked and then aghast that I don’t buy into the liberal mantra (spin) and don’t support our President’s agenda for this country. Now there is a difference between supporting or liking a person verses an agenda and/or set of policies.  Let me make this perfectly clear because the media likes to twist and confuse liking individuals with policies and political agendas.  I am very impressed with President Obama’s political savvy, eloquence as a speaker and the fact that he got himself elected President of the US with so little experience behind him. He is a great orator and seems to have a gift with connecting with people – that’s part of what got him elected.  Ok…with that said, I don’t agree with his CHANGE for America, I don’t agree with his redistribution of wealth initiatives, Cap and Trade, Socialized Health Care and the incremental dismantling of our military and turning our backs on our allies in eastern Europe like he did this past week with the scuttling of missile defense shield for Poland and eastern Europe. I’m very concerned that our Government wants to take over Free Markets in the guise of economic stimulus during what has been described as fiscal emergencies never before seen since the great depression. Sure…Bush (and many Republican leaders) played a role in where we are today.  That is why they are out of power.

So yes I still love art, photography, teaching all aspects of art and photography and have many wonderful and dear liberal friends. I don’t judge them solely on their politics and all I can ask is the same in return.  I’m well aware I’m in the minority in my chosen career field. It sure would be a boring world if we all thought and believed the same.  This is just to say there are some artists that are NOT liberal and still love art and all forms of creative expression. Btw..only 5 seats left for my Ireland Artists/Photographers Retreat next Summer!

More on Ireland Artists Retreat….

Anam Cara Retreat Center, SW Ireland

Anam Cara Artists/Writers Retreat in Ireland has just updated their Blog with next years workshop schedule.  Scroll down to read about my Art of Seeing Workshop to be conducted at one of the most magical and scenic places on the face of the earth. Click here to read more about my upcoming August 2010 workshop/retreat. I have 6 spaces left for this incredible and very affordable Ireland artists adventure. Post a comment here if your are seriously interested in attending my Art of Seeing workshop / retreat.

Tea Party Patriot March on Washington

You can check out my thoughts, photographs and video of the Tea Party March on Washington yesterday (9/12) by going to my new BLOG devoted to more political content. View From Right Field.

Rainy Labor Day

It’s been raining non-stop since I woke up this morning.  Good day to get all my online course grades posted.  Feeling very introspective today. It’s nice having the day off to just relax and unwind.  Heading up to the photo lab at school to develop some film with Andei.  Here are 2 images I shot the other day while relaxing in my back yard after work.  It’s the LIGHT that intrigues me with photography. LIGHT can take just about any subject and make it more visually interesting and dynamic.  These are two examples where the light makes the photos. Enjoy and try to stay dry.

Late Afternoon Sun breaking through the trees in my Backyard

Ireland Art & Photography Retreat 8/2010

Read all about it click here!