Wendy's Creativity >> November

[Wendy]

Hello :)

On a roll...so I don't want to stop now!

[Wendy]

Day #1:

The past few days have been b.u.s.y., busy - not at all sure where they went. I went to the main page and got overwhelmed by far behind I am. I was thinking I'd procrastinate and come back tomorrow. BUT - that's what I tend to do...and never get back, so instead I'm starting a new 30-Day-Month. At least it's something.

I took the past two hours to settle in with myself and work on the painted girl. She changed a LOT in my head since my last visit with her, so I erased large portions :( and started over(ish). So...starting over in a few different ways. Erasing is....scary/ I tend to feel like any prior success was due to luck and I may never be able to recreate. I went ahead anyway!

Here's where she was and where I am now...

[jane]

hmmm. i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t-i-n-g wendy!!

i see you now moving from realism to abstract.. a more dali-like influence creeping in perhaps... ??? what has prompted this movement... i have no particular likes or dislikes either way - it is all development and growth... here is what i see

the previous girl was vulnerable, sad and gagged (in whatever form) - the new girl is more tightly bound, her frown seems less (but that could be cos we are further away from the image) but she seems stronger, ie less sad... it seems to be HER choice that she is not talking... the slope of her shoulders implies her arms are clasped either across her stomach or in her lap - a kind resigned attitude. Her hair has become less hair-like and more a gag...

its great... would love to know your thoughts in her development....? xxx

[Wendy]

Welll...Jane...how i LOVE this comment. You seriously make me think, and make me more conscious of what I'm doing, both of which I find VERY energizing. I love hearing about these images through your eyes and emotions :)

Know what? You are right. I guess I was looking at the piece and thinking it was pretty good - except, I've been drawing a front view of woman's faces for a long time. Something in me thought that this might be a good opportunity to take this idea further - to push myself. Then when realizing how difficult that might be, I thought well - I could just stop where I am (for the most part). Somehow that seemed like fear talking...

So, I asked myself - self, what would Dan and DJ say? I really have no idea, but something tells me they would encourage a push forward, despite my fears. So I moved forward and now I get to hear what YOU say!

Yeah...I really do seem to have an interest in the slightly surreal - also body... hmmm... contortion. Not that I can do any of that myself, lol. I've also wanted to do something more abstract, as you mention, but I've always been afraid it will just look stupid and incorrect - rather than stylized.

So, now I'm seeing what you are saying. I hadn't thought about the slope of the shoulder and what mood they might imply. Cool. The hair should become more hairlike, cause this is just the base for details to come....but it's overall shape has definitely changed.

I would like her to appear as if her silence is her choice - or - some sort of emotional response. In other words, someone outside of herself isn't gagging her. I think I will eventually zoom into her more though. I would like to get back some of that vulnerability and sadness that you mentioned. Hmm...will have to think on how to do that.

Jane, thanks SO much for your feedback!!!! It's exactly what I need :)

[Dan Goodwin]

Ah I love it, look forward to seeing your creativity continue to (rock and) roll Wendy... : )

[Wendy]

Okay...trying to get my head together after a whirlwind week....

----

Some interesting and unexpected good news:

The gallery with my vampire piece was contacted by Mountain Lake PBS (Broadcasting in Northern NY, Vermont and Montreal). They caught wind of the art show and want to do a 1/2 hour program about it for their series called, Art Express. They asked to interview four of the artists in the show...me being one of them!

So, I spent yesterday at the gallery for the filming, which was pretty wild! I felt like a celebrity, lol! There was a leather chair with an easel set up behind us and cameras and lights surrounding them - and of course a microphone for my lapel. He asked questions about my art in several different "takes" which he will edit together to fit the theme of his episode. He also asked me for two additional pieces to sort of flash during parts of my dialogue. One is still in the sketch phase but since the show will not air until February, he asked me to do a color version and send it to him.

I'm happily flabbergasted :) Even if only 15 seconds of my half-hour interview actually makes it into the show - Wow.

Today, I'm calming down (always have a bit of a mood-fall after something like this) and figuring out what to work on next. Actually...I feel overwhelmed - but that's kinda normal for me ;)

[jane]

oh i know a superstar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this sounds exciting wendy - good for you. What a real honour to be chosen as one of the four artists... but of course it isnt an honour really - it is a well earned reward!

Perhaps the programme will make it onto youtube (can you record it..?) and then we can ALL watch it and feel proud and share your success...

i somehow feel this is the start of something good.... cue the music.............. 8)

[DJ]

Wendy, that's WONDERFUL!!!!!
I'm SO thrilled for you!
Let us know how it progresses; and keep creating. You never know who will approach you next about a project or publicity. YAY!
Wheeeeee,
DJ

[Wendy]

Thank you, Jane & DJ!!!

[Wendy]

Hee-hee...it does feel good :) I'm really trying to pause take it in. Feels kinda surreal because a few months ago I was just trying to get myself to do anything creative and already I've been spinning around feeling like *my dream is coming true* Not just cause of the PBS thing, but also the show, but mostly the creating and energy that comes from this community.

Honestly, I am not someone who feels comfortable being happy. I sort of don't know how, to be honest. I'm more like the kind of person who has a constant drive to succeed (at some things) but when I do it's no be deal because - I was supposed to have succeeded, duh, so big deal. I am a perfectionist with a capital "P" Perhaps I should draw her sometime ;)

It's just that something seems to have clicked since I started coming here. So...thanks to you all for the sharing the *magic* with me. My cheeks have huge dimples right now from my smiles - I can feel them, lol.

[Jules]

Wow! That is sooo cool!
Can you get the episode number? I may be able to find it on the net somewhere to watch

[Wendy]

Jane's post made me think of how even the slightest changes in layout and cropping can seriously change the mood of a piece. Also, it's depth and dimension. So, I began to play. Yikes! Look how much things seem to change with a little dramatic light added along with quite a bit of cropping.

I love digital :) Let's you experiment a lot.

Not sure I want things to be quite THIS dark (in mood - now she looks like a crime victim I think) but I wonder how much gentler it will feel with the same lighting - but in color....hmmm....

          

[jane]

go wendy!!! am liking how you are playing with this and changing the lighting, the shape, the distance.. . glad i have sparked a new train of thought for you. Its always a tricky thing isnt it when giving feedback.. i would never want to get in the way of someone's own thought and creative processes... but like you... i love to get new ideas - and when it sparks a new train of thought and a new direction - that can be SO energising.

i have really enjoyed hearing back from you about the development of this piece... the lighting is an important part of this - and colour... yes that WILL change the whole dynamic. Isnt digital work wonderful that it allows you to do this. Not being digitally competant in any shape or form, other than the ability to type fast....!! - i am in awe of the process you are going through. If i was drawing this - i would have given up and gone home weeks ago!! lol

so whats next....?