Your post today reminded me of artist Robert Genn, who had a long time blog which his daughter continued for years after his passing to pancreatic cancer. The Artist's Keys. Not sure it's still there but he had a yearly bonfire with the worst of the worse art of the prior year. At first I thought the idea was dramatic. But when he and his daughter did his final culling and bonfire, so his bad art did not remain "out there", those he did not want in his legacy it clicked for me. My two granddaughters have promised me to assist me in that culling of art, sketchbooks and my morning pages notebooks/journals when that time comes for me. To celebrate with fire, humor and wine, the efforts and the journey. Now my hopes are to end with more good keepers than bad!!!! HAHA
So many wise words here, Jo - thank you so much for sharing these really useful insights! I've learned so much - and I'm going to try to implement some of what you're doing!
So many similarities here and my past career excel was a huge part of my CREATIVENESS with bold, boxing in shaded cells, touches of colored text. A huge fan and haven't picked at it for decades. I may need to revisit, , organizing my bullet lists might help sort out all I wish to entertain. Been releasing more I've accumulated, or it gets too heavy Lovely birdie, so vivid and sweet!
Jo, thank you for sharing these wonderful tips with us. Your practical way of integrating them has gifted me with some ideas of my own...blessings to you and thank you for sharing your art with us. I do love your painting.
I am a splurger when it comes to my interests…I refuse to use acrylic yarn when I knit, my watercolors are typically Daniel Smith and Arches, and my son is spoiled. These things make me happy. Love your post Jo, and your spreadsheet! A good spreadsheet can be a girl’s best friend!
I started in a watercolor class which recommended a limited palette of Winsor and Newton Cotman colors. Now I use mostly Daniel Smith and a few Winsor and Newton Pro tubes.
Acrylic yarn I try to use up for charity items where they specify machine washable, no wool around here for some reason. Save the good yarns for myself and family. One of my birthday splurges was the Sequence Knitting book, big and pricey, but it promises a lot of fun with no cables or lacework....
I grew up in a frugal home, too, and it has impacted the way I art! I can’t bear to waste art supplies. So I really appreciate your no nonsense approach to throwing out what is not working. Thank you so much ❤️
Love using Excel for thinking things through. I am currently to doing a studio declutter and surprised at how good it feels to toss the cheap stuff, the unfinished (never will be finished) projects, and the early learning projects. Thanks for the inspiration to keep on keeping on! Life is good. ☺️
Thanks Mary! I am becoming comfortable with the fact that I will never have life fully figured out, but will be constantly making adjustments to the way I do things. It’s part of the never stop learning approach.
There is so much here I can relate to, Jo - despite being halfway acrross the world & 30 years younger! Your thoughts about growing up frugal are similar to my experience. Only this year did I finally invest in some artist grade materials that I really should have bought years ago. The catalyst was receivingg a Rosemary&Co brush for my birthday and realising what a difference it made!
Thanks Zenobia!My daughter in law paints quite well. She mixes her colors from primaries. I buy paint colors like some women buy so many pairs of shoes.
I like this time spent reviewing ways to maximize creativity (and in a spreadsheet to boot 🥰). I think I’m going to borrow this process, as I’ve been thinking more of limiting screen time or at least maximizing it to meaningful connections only. (I love the robin sketch btw.)
Vielen dank, Herr Carl! Your post was an eye opener. Our old recumbent exercise bike could not sync up with that I think. I usually listen to music or read my kindle when I am on the bike.
Your post today reminded me of artist Robert Genn, who had a long time blog which his daughter continued for years after his passing to pancreatic cancer. The Artist's Keys. Not sure it's still there but he had a yearly bonfire with the worst of the worse art of the prior year. At first I thought the idea was dramatic. But when he and his daughter did his final culling and bonfire, so his bad art did not remain "out there", those he did not want in his legacy it clicked for me. My two granddaughters have promised me to assist me in that culling of art, sketchbooks and my morning pages notebooks/journals when that time comes for me. To celebrate with fire, humor and wine, the efforts and the journey. Now my hopes are to end with more good keepers than bad!!!! HAHA
So many wise words here, Jo - thank you so much for sharing these really useful insights! I've learned so much - and I'm going to try to implement some of what you're doing!
Thank you Rebecca, I am glad you found the post helpful.
So many similarities here and my past career excel was a huge part of my CREATIVENESS with bold, boxing in shaded cells, touches of colored text. A huge fan and haven't picked at it for decades. I may need to revisit, , organizing my bullet lists might help sort out all I wish to entertain. Been releasing more I've accumulated, or it gets too heavy Lovely birdie, so vivid and sweet!
Always happy to meet another excel enthusiast. Thanks for your kind comments. Hope to see your posts here soon!
Jo, thank you for sharing these wonderful tips with us. Your practical way of integrating them has gifted me with some ideas of my own...blessings to you and thank you for sharing your art with us. I do love your painting.
I am so pleased you found these tips helpful. Thank you, and may bkessings flow your way as well.
I am a splurger when it comes to my interests…I refuse to use acrylic yarn when I knit, my watercolors are typically Daniel Smith and Arches, and my son is spoiled. These things make me happy. Love your post Jo, and your spreadsheet! A good spreadsheet can be a girl’s best friend!
I started in a watercolor class which recommended a limited palette of Winsor and Newton Cotman colors. Now I use mostly Daniel Smith and a few Winsor and Newton Pro tubes.
Acrylic yarn I try to use up for charity items where they specify machine washable, no wool around here for some reason. Save the good yarns for myself and family. One of my birthday splurges was the Sequence Knitting book, big and pricey, but it promises a lot of fun with no cables or lacework....
I grew up in a frugal home, too, and it has impacted the way I art! I can’t bear to waste art supplies. So I really appreciate your no nonsense approach to throwing out what is not working. Thank you so much ❤️
In all honesty, I do use the back of any failed Arches painting for swatching colors. The frugality persists in that regard.
That’s very smart!
Love using Excel for thinking things through. I am currently to doing a studio declutter and surprised at how good it feels to toss the cheap stuff, the unfinished (never will be finished) projects, and the early learning projects. Thanks for the inspiration to keep on keeping on! Life is good. ☺️
Thanks Mary! I am becoming comfortable with the fact that I will never have life fully figured out, but will be constantly making adjustments to the way I do things. It’s part of the never stop learning approach.
There is so much here I can relate to, Jo - despite being halfway acrross the world & 30 years younger! Your thoughts about growing up frugal are similar to my experience. Only this year did I finally invest in some artist grade materials that I really should have bought years ago. The catalyst was receivingg a Rosemary&Co brush for my birthday and realising what a difference it made!
Love your bird sketch :)
Thanks Zenobia!My daughter in law paints quite well. She mixes her colors from primaries. I buy paint colors like some women buy so many pairs of shoes.
I like this time spent reviewing ways to maximize creativity (and in a spreadsheet to boot 🥰). I think I’m going to borrow this process, as I’ve been thinking more of limiting screen time or at least maximizing it to meaningful connections only. (I love the robin sketch btw.)
Limiting screen time is especially important during election years, I find.
Sehr gut Frau Jo! I noticed stationary bike mentioned, you may like my upcoming read 👍
Vielen dank, Herr Carl! Your post was an eye opener. Our old recumbent exercise bike could not sync up with that I think. I usually listen to music or read my kindle when I am on the bike.