Thoughts From Marsha

I have always loved to read... hardback books are my favorite, not paperbacks! I am what is called a "book-a-holic!" And, most of my reading books is in the evening.

You may know I spend a good bit of time in the morning with my coffee reading newsletters, and other stuff on the computer. I share articles and newsletter posts on my Facebook page quite often.

I have several different newsletters I have subscribed to, visit their sites and scroll to previous articles by many of those newsletter authors. I get lost in reading quite often, and end up sitting here much longer than I anticipated.

There are many times I copy and paste a few words I have just read ... before I finish the article ... to a "quotes" document for reading later to come up with my own take on it. It usually speaks to my thoughts of late, and sent my mind off on a tangent. Knowing I need to get back to the article, I stop immediately and copy it for reading by itself later!!! Then back to finish the rest of the article.

This “idea” kept coming to me from the various reading. I have recently read several articles from wonderful writers that also keep copious notes with quotes from people just so they have a starting point in their mind. I keep this document for my ideas so I don’t forget them. But know these are my versions of whatever spoke to me through their posts. And, since I have been painting for over 50 years, they are not new ideas, just presented by someone else with their take on an idea.

Many times I do create an article or add a section to the book I am writing along the lines of something I have read that particular morning. It is a habit that is becoming addictive... and I mean copying a quote by someone that makes my mind go down what I call "a bunny trail." I get lost in the possibilities!

One of the recurring thoughts is about artists and wanting to learn, and asking me how do you get better. My answer most of the time is to spend time painting, studying your own ideas, creating “crap” and moving on. That is the best way to get better. I have a note taped to my big organizing shelf by my easel. That note says something like this (I am not down there to copy it): “If you are not willing to make mistakes, you will never come up with anything creative!”

Oh ... you don't know how many times I repeat that quote to students! I have looked it up in various versions but have not come up with someone to give credit to for it.

How do these help me ... the same as taking workshops to learn new things, and different aspects of that new thing ... being said different ways by different teachers. But you must apply them, struggle with them, and come up with your own version of those lessons. It can be very frustrating! But just one or two words can take my mind down a path of new painting ideas as well as writing ideas.

As for the frustration, I have finally learned to embrace it when it happens ... mainly because these days I am always trying something I have not done as a normal part of my painting process. I can mess up what I had already done so many times, but that is the point. I know you have heard "get rid of the part that is precious" and then have a go at creating something different.

If we always follow the same path, we never get anywhere new ... right?

I know with this blog post, I have rambled a little with my thoughts. But... that is the good thing about writing a blog... I get to put my thoughts down and maybe it will help someone with theirs.

So read, write down some notes, sit quietly and mull those thoughts over, try new things, make mistakes, get frustrated, and set yourself free. You may come up with something new!