art
Artistic, musical, creative, and entertaining topics in Journal's workplace sphere.
Rekindle Creativity
Recently, the white page has been winning. Sitting down to create, I get distracted by Netflix, my phone, video games, eating, staring at a ceiling chanting... it's been bad. I managed to convince myself I wasn't creative. Looking back at my creative output from this last year, I found myself getting anxious, as if it was a callout, rubbing in self-esteem issues. Within that, I managed to convince myself I lost all creativity I once had.
By 'Toto' (Aleksina Teto)5 years ago in Journal
Writing: Blood, Sweat, and Tears for Ink
HOOK: Let's get something straight: I hate writing, because it's the best thing ever. INTRO: But as much as I love the process, we can't just publish our word vomit and call it good writing. Because that's stupid. I wish I could say it with any other word, but for our little chat today, you and I need to call it what it is. Our words, spoken or written, carry more gravity than we realize, and even when we write anonymously, they still carry our identity with them.
By Ben Rawlings6 years ago in Journal
That's Enough Critique Already
Music blaring in my ears, I glare at my painting as I work it to death. How dare it not be perfect! Going back to my post two weeks ago, I've really gotten caught on the idea of judgment, especially creatively. As the idea hit me harder than I ever expected, I started to notice myself judging others, not deeming anything as bad, but instantly getting into the head space of critiquing. Not only others though, probably even more aggressively, I was critiquing myself.
By 'Toto' (Aleksina Teto)6 years ago in Journal
Shame of the Non-Creator
I remember a time when I would spend endless hours drawing, crafting, my hands always busy. In middle school, my classmates and I each made a pie chart showing how we use our time. My desk partner was an athlete and a mild socialite. His time was divided with running, football, homework, socializing, and a few other activities. He slept for a healthy seven to eight hours per day. And then there was my pie chart. I was in bed for 10 hours, three hours of which were spent writing stories in my head, school was however many hours, travel was minimally an hour to two depending on summer or snow, and every other minute was given to drawing.
By 'Toto' (Aleksina Teto)6 years ago in Journal
The Creative Mess
Perching at my desk, pressing the silver power button, the computer lights up, monitor assuring me it's getting ready. As I wait, my gaze starts noticing an assortment of brushes next to me. On my other side, a pile of papers, fully marked with ink and pencils sits waiting for me to find it a home. It is another few inches taller than a few weeks ago. Scanning the shelf, there are art books scarcely opened in the last half a year. Another shelf has containers of ink strategically jammed in place. Next to it, there is a pile of fabric with intentions of possibilities. A half knitted scarf cozies up to my microphone for when I eventually get to making a podcast or youtube channel.
By 'Toto' (Aleksina Teto)6 years ago in Journal
Does Money Affect Artistic Integrity?
I always had a preconceived notion of what a starving artist is all about. Recently my perspective has changed a bit after pondering about arguments from tons of artists out there that want to be paid for their work. There’s nothing wrong with being paid for your art and I think it’s great that people get paid for their art but does this affect the artistic integrity of the artist’s work? Artists can be paid in a variety of ways so sometimes the circumstances of the exchange of money for the art plays a large part in determining the integrity of the work. We’ve seen in the past that many artists have been able to juggle money and art successfully. It’s definitely not for everyone though.
By Brian Anonymous6 years ago in Journal
5 Quick Tricks for Not Resenting Other Artists
There is so much art advice out there, it begins to feel like an oversaturated market. Take a quick search on Instagram and you can find thousands of other artists. Ink, watercolour, acrylic, oil, digital, geometric, organic, plants, toads... there is art for everything just a search away.
By 'Toto' (Aleksina Teto)6 years ago in Journal
Working Through Art Anxiety
As I thought of what I might want to write for this week's post, I found myself anxious. Somehow, in such a short time, I already wound these posts with my fears and stresses. In the last year, I have come to the realization that I am am very empathetic and have abandonment issues. As an artist, this can be problematic. It is especially problematic with sharing art on social media. My specific issue has been that I've had so many people I've been connecting with and empathizing with that when I go to create art, I am drained of empathy for myself and what to create.
By 'Toto' (Aleksina Teto)6 years ago in Journal
7 Benefits of Art
"Stop drawing pretty pictures and do something productive." I've heard from parents, teachers, and strangers talking to kids as if art is equivalent to just sitting doing nothing. It's almost like the act of drawing is a gateway drug to unfulfilled pipe dreams, not wanting to work, and giving up on intellect, which is ridiculous.
By 'Toto' (Aleksina Teto)6 years ago in Journal
'Love Monsters'
Hello! My name is Summer and I am from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am currently finishing up my last quarter at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale for it is closing and I am lucky enough to be able to graduate at the same time. Considering I am close to graduation, I am building up my portfolio to start my job search as a full-time illustrator.
By Summer Desalvo6 years ago in Journal