Artist update

[storytimewithjoe]

I cannot even begin to describe what a HUGE stress-relief it is to have made progress!!!  Shortly after getting home from work last night, I served up a batch of leftovers, and then sat down to work on a scroll.  Looking over the absolutely luscious calligraphy done by Adelheit, I choked down that typical “blank canvas” anxiety, mixed up some gauche, and got to work.  I have no idea why, but for some odd reason, the painting went quickly – REALLY quickly.  By the time I stopped at around 10:30, I was probably about 85-90% done.  WooHOO!  Since this is due at GWW, and I have no time between now and then to work on it, I was having these nightmare visions of having to work on it AT the event, which would be less-than-ideal. 

 

Plugged into the ipod, I had a sequence of Tori Amos tunes going through my head while painting.  Why Tori?  I have no idea.  You’d think that I would pipe into something medieval to get into the right frame of mind, right?  Not so much.  It would probably be counterproductive for me to try painting to a scroll when a salterello comes onto the player.  My feet would no doubt begin to move to the dance beat, and it would show in the painting.  But why Tori?  I just tend to zen out, for whatever reason.  Maybe “Sleeps with Butterflies” helps me to channel Melesse so that I can quickly crank out a work of art?  Maybe other songs make me think of Missy Mo, leading to the same results?  Who knows what makes our brains work the way they do?

 

In typing about this, I remember years ago having a conversation with a group of friends about background music.  In this instance, we were talking about sewing.  One friend piped in saying that she could not have any kind of music or background distraction, as it interfered with her ability to concentrate.  Another friend talked about turning on the radio and just listening to Top 40 music.  Another friend suggested popping in classic movies for pleasant background entertainment and inspiration.  Then, butting her way into the conversation, a particularly obnoxious person offered the fact that she always watches Gone with the Wind whenever she sews.  Just as everyone began to roll their eyes and politely stay quiet, Satan possessed me temporarily as I retorted sharply, “No WONDER all your dresses look like old curtains, darlin’.”

 

When you get creative and/or artsy, what do you like to have as your background white noise?

Comments

[aumtattoo.livejournal.com]

I turn on the television and put on a movie I've watched many times before. Usually it is some period piece, probably jane Austen.

I can't concentrate while listening to music. Perhaps it's the musician in me.

[moira-ramsay.livejournal.com]

Most typically I play the Broadway Channel on the Dish Network.

It is that or any number of costume dramas/comedies.

Last night it was Shakespear in Love because it was on TV. *g*

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

I was just listening to Tori last night... she's coming in concert in November, and I wish I could go. (Even though I don't have the new CD yet.)

mixed up some gauche

gouache?

As for what I listen to when I'm getting creative -- it depends on the project. When I write, I mostly listen to pop/rock music. When I work on sewing or something like that, I listen to audiobooks. I put together my outfits for the Marcaster investiture while listening to a book on the spreading effects of global warming. It's a great way to read while doing something else entirely.

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Ya... I can't spell. She's coming in concert here soon as well. Of course, it is so freaken' expensive, I just cannot justify it to myself.

[moira-ramsay.livejournal.com]

Then your beloved friends need to get you a set of tickets for you and your sweetie to go see the show. *g*

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Precisely!

[moira-ramsay.livejournal.com]

Just remind them all how much they love you!

Do you have a birthday/anniversary approaching.

The anniversary of when you met your beloved?
The anniversary of your first kiss? (Why yes I do remember the anniversary of my first kiss with DV~ *g*)

Any special holiday worth commemorating with a lovely show?

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

I just wondered, because "gauche" means "tacky" and I know you don't do that. ;)

We were going to order Tori tickets -- it's only $42/$52 here, at Ruth Eckerd, which is a decent price for a good venue -- but instead we have a gold-plated cat. (We were also going to try and do a little getaway before little Hrothgar Clovis Napoleon Pogo's arrival, but the gold-plated cat scotched that plan as well. Damned expensive felines.)

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

What-what-WHAT?

[deviantfix.livejournal.com]

It's also paint :) Or do you know that and I should just shut up now? ;)

[madknits.livejournal.com]

When I knit, I like to listen to NPR or the BBC. Sometimes I'll listen to music, but not often.

[moira-ramsay.livejournal.com]

Oh cool you are a knitter.
I am a recent convert to playing with string myself.
Incredibly addictive!

[madknits.livejournal.com]

I've been knitting for about three years now. Have more hats and scarves to my credit than I can count. And a few sweaters. I'm trying to find the right yarn to make some willy warmers, but no luck so far.

[moira-ramsay.livejournal.com]

Splurge and get the cashmere. *g*
It is quite petable. *EG*

[stormecho.livejournal.com]

I have music going almost non-stop. The iPod has like 15,000 songs so far on it, all genres are being mixed on shuffle.

[sasha-khan.livejournal.com]

It depends on what I'm doing

If I am practicing music, I will often have the telly going in the background, or I will play a CD of my favorites - because I am a little prone to wanting to hear/see what other performers are doing (while we're playing together) - the dissonance is a practice tool.

If I am doing needlework/handsewing/somefussylittleart, I prefer Baroque OR stride piano.

[aliskye.livejournal.com]

If I'm sewing I swing to movies I've seen a bunch of times, Henry V, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings. Sometimes I just put the TV on one of the DIY channels and have home decorating shows on all day. If I'm trying to do calligraphy, it might be movie soundtracks or silence. Painting is usually any kind of music. If I'm writing, I can often tune out anything that is playing.

[flaming-mo.livejournal.com]

Back in the day, when I was at my most prolific, "Independence Day" and "The Stand" was my white noise while working on lengthy projects. Sometimes, I listened to Nine Inch Nails when doing decor on cakes and confectionary.

The last painting project I worked on was to Bhangra pop and "The Red Violin" soundtrack. My tastes vary.

That whole "I listen to Gregorian chant when I do calligraphy to set the mood." just ain't my speed.

[takadai-no-tora.livejournal.com]

When I was doing calligraphy, I couldn't listen to anything with lyrics I could understand or random words from the songs would pop up in the calligraphed piece. I got into the habit of listening to Asian pop music and I still tend to put that on when I'm cutting or sewing or getting creative with the graphics/digitizing programs on the computer. I listen to TV, probably something nature or historic while I kumihimo

[deviantfix.livejournal.com]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My scroll!!!!!!!

You so rock....

*sigh*

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Oh... you assume it is your scroll...

:-)

Seriously, more than anything, I really hope you like it.

[deviantfix.livejournal.com]

I suppose I shouldnt have assumed it was my scroll. There are other elevations at GWW.... Maybe I was just hoping... ;-) hehehe

And I'm certain that it will be spectacular with all the talent that has gone into it so far... Thank you so much for agreeing to do this for me. I owe you big time...

[siobhan-genie.livejournal.com]

When J and I would be sewing garb, we would frequently put in the DVD for Les Miserables, the Dream Cast. Then I would have to be careful to not get tearstains on my cotehardie. Or we would just put the iPod on shuffle.

I can knit and watch TV at the same time, so I typically watch my favorite shows while I'm knitting on the couch. Unless I am doing some particularly complicated cabling, then I just listen and tune in periodically.

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

I am amazed at people who knit or croquet while doing something else. My brain just doesn't work that way. I can TYPE while working on something else, but when it is artsy, that is another matter.

[starzinked.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it's better to listen to Tori Amos rather than have fantasies about being Tori Spelling. Not that I would knwo anything about those fantasies.