Hello friends, welcome back to The Side Project, a cosy place where I share my art journey as an introvert! If you like my work, feel free to share or subscribe! <3
Last week, I’ve read an article from called “ In My Deprogramming Era”. The topic was not specifically art-related, but it resonated deeply with me: each of Cynthia’s words felt like one from a close friend.
One of the biggest setbacks in my practice is the thought “ Am I allowed to do this that way ?” It’s hard to make a firm decision on the canvas when thinking so about how someone would judge my work. “What about the perspective ?”,” What about the simplified vision “, “Can I draw that arm that way ? “, what about this, what about that? The “This is How It Should Be” show is the most successful show in my head but it drives me crazy!
Art is so intimate, so connected to your inner world that, as far as I’m concerned, writing about a painting feels redundant because everything worth saying is already on the canvas. Overthinking about what people would think about your art fuels your practice with fear instead of joy. Deprogramming my brain is a daily pain, there are so many intrusive thoughts, fears, and frustrations, but identifying each one of them, just noticing, has been the best way to live so far.
I discovered Thomas Folan Hasici’s YouTube channel and blog; he had a massive impact on my creativity recently. I’m spending a lot of time in my sketchbook, every time I’m overflood by emotions I put them on paper. I can see that my work is becoming more abstract and nervous, focusing on colour and energy. I’m rushing not to overthink, it’s all about mark-making rather than the concept of perfection. It’s messy, busy, colourful and far from my past love for muted colours. As Thomas said in one of his videos, my work is more honest because I put my interest in it.
I’ll show you more soon! As I’m about to start a term at The Royal Drawing School - I’ll attend their online life drawing class each evening on Monday- I’ll try to be more active on Notes.
What are your plans for this last quarter of the year?
That’s all for me now, talk soon,
Lyly <3
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It’s always so interesting to me how our art changes depending on what season we are in or what artists we are inspired by. I’ve noticed that I go through cycles where I want to be more neutral and realistic and other times more colorful, chaotic, and expressive.