Is it Okay to Make up Stories? - The Superpower of Imagination

“She Steals Stars” by Arianne 

"The man who has no imagination has no wings.” - Muhammad Ali

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." Albert Einstein

One night I was awakened around 3am by the sound of my neighbor's car racing down his driveway and out into the night.  Having lived next to him for years, I was familiar with his habits This was extremely unusual behavior   

My mind started trying to understand his early morning departure.Was there an emergency?  Was someone in the hospital?  Was it an early morning flight or an escape from the authorities? Fully awake now, my mind jumped from practical reasons to absurd conclusions. 

For as long as I can remember, I have engaged in these flights of the imagination. Trust me, nocturnal cognitive detective work can make sleep elusive.   In this instance, I saw someone act in an unexplained way and didn't know why. My imagination picked up the thread and began to weave several tales about the reason for the interesting action.  

Maybe one of my explanations was correct.  Maybe none of them were. My brain seems to be wired to engage in this game of conjecture and supposition. I thought everyone approached the unknown in the same way.  Apparently not. 

The other day, a close friend called me out for "making up stories”.  I objeced to what felt like a critical labeling of my use of imagination.   I pride myself on my honesty and would never pass off one of my suppositions as the truth.  

According to my quite logical friend, you should only entertain the indisputable facts and not allow your mind to "make up" the rest.   True, we can get ourselves into trouble with false interpretations, and these misunderstandings might influence our actions and reactions to others.  I can see his point.  An imagination with no control or restraint could actually cause damage, but I can't resist defending my position.

In my opinion, no great discoveries could have been made in the sciences without someone first imagining “What if?".  Entrepreneurs who design original solutions to today's big and small problems are often called visionaries. There would be no creating without an original vision of a novel solution.  No crimes could be solved without imagining who, why, how.  The stories we tell ourselves can be the sparks of invention and change.  I don't just tell myself stories to try to explain why my neighbor drove off in a hurry with a squeal of tires, I also imagine ways in which I can make the world a better place in some small way.

Obviously, imagination is essential to creative pursuits.  I could not have created the painting you see above, without first creating an image in my mind of a girl stealing stars from the sky.  Maybe not everyone has such a developed creative curiosity.  I can only say that we should appreciate the inspiring power of imagination and encourage the exercise of it in future generations. 

Creating entertaining stories in your imagination is generally harmless and possibly helpful.  The practice is only dangerous when you start to believe your fiction to be true without gaining factual information to confirm or refute. For instance, if you no longer enjoy hiking in the woods because you have convinced yourself that evil sprites are in abundance hiding behind tree trunks, your imagination might need a calibration. 

So, to sum up, stick to the facts, ma'am in most cases, but utilize and exercise the super power of imagination to manufacture a world in your mind's eye where people are compassionate and considerate to one another above all else.  Then use that imagined vision as a starting point. Grab hold of it like a thread, and start weaving.  

And yes, better simply to pick up the phone and ask your neighbor why he got the hell out of dodge in the wee hours of the morning rather than to create your own elaborate and colorful made for TV episode around one curious action, but it sure is fun to suppose. The true facts are never as fun. I don't want to be in a world where we can't imagine wondrous and unexpected possibilities. 

Please Don't Quit Making Art

The Day I Decided to Quit Being an Artist

“He has no talent at all, that boy! You, who are his friend, tell him, please, to give up painting."
–--Manet to Monet, on Renoir---

This is an undisguised pep talk.  Honestly, it's encouragement I've had to give to myself a number of times.  I have been making a living as an artist for over 15 years. Obviously I wouldn't still be creating art if I didn't have a pretty darn good internal cheering squad to get me through the rough times and lean years.  

Let me tell you, I still have an art business, because I refuse to give up.  I have a stubborn amount of faith.  For me, faith isn't about sitting back on my heels and wishing for good fortune.  It's an unshakeable trust that things will work out followed up with decisive action towards making that happen.  It's more about believing in my ability to endure and stepping out of the way of my own momentum.  Self-sabotage and imposter syndrome are to be recognized and avoided.  You get where you hope to go by first believing, sometimes against all odds, that you have the means and will to get there.

Honestly there was at least one time when I decided this career choice was too difficult. Clients weren't knocking at my door.  I was working  long hours and weekends to keep the bills paid. There never seemed to be a period of coasting.   I decided I was done being an artist.   I proceeded to rid my house of the tools of my trade in order to start afresh. I gave almost all of my art supplies to a local art teacher.  I tossed over  thirty canvases into a dumpster.  

Who was I kidding?  I could toss objects in the trash but not my urge to create.  Being an artist is hardly a choice.  I might not be the best.  I might not become wealthy.  Heck, I might hardly make ends meet at times, but it is who I am. Am I going to give up and opt for a regular 9-5 job with stability and financial predictability?  I could, but my soul would simply wither. Not that there's anything wrong with choosing that route. You might find yourself in a position where you have to have that steady paycheck to fill the bank account. One thing's for sure - being in debt will not help your creative process.  But if that's the way the cookie crumbles, I hope you'll make your way back to art with a fierce determination.   

So, if you find yourself facing a slow period in your art career, buck yourself up, and quit waiting for opportunity to knock.  Understand that you can create your own opportunities.  Reach out for an online showing, and get your artwork out there for people to see.  Become more visible on social media and remind your network of your awesome skills.  Float a project idea to those in the position to provide funding.  Look for available art grants in your community. Before you know, it an opportunity will land in your lap, because you persevered and had the faith to try.  One last wise suggestion to consider, - develop a reliable side hustle which continues to pay the bills when other sources dry up. 

Don't give up. It may not be easy, but the most rewarding activities in life are rarely effortless. Believe.

Arianne

The Story Behind the "Four Seasons" Mural at GEM in Raleigh

 

"Philosophers and aestheticians may offer elegant and profound definitions of art and beauty, but for the painter they are all summed up in this phrase: to create a
harmony."
—Gino Severini

When I first saw the space, it was just a cavernous room full of construction materials. The next time I visited, the interior walls, the kitchen, and bar area were in place.  At that time, the vision for the finished space was described to me to provide direction for the mural I would create.  The expanse of white wall that would be my blank canvas stretched out above me, a focal point for all who entered. It was reachable only by motorized scissor lift.  I was instructed to bring the space to life, to make it vibrant and full of natural energy.  Large floral elements were suggested. Next it was time to get to work with my imagination.

Before the painting can begin, I create "sketches" on my Mac using actual images of the space to be painted.  These sketches are presented to the client for approval and revision.  During this planning phase, I happened to be reading a book called The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way  by Francesc Miralles and Héctor García.  It was through this book that I was introduced to the concept of wabi sabi.   

Wabi is very loosely translated as "the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete".  In essence, understanding the impermanence of life itself leads to a greater appreciation of each experience - an enhanced ability to savor the moment  If you are interested in delving further, you can read more on wabi sabi at the end of this post.  I was definitely inspired by the book.  

I decided that there needed to be a cohesive overarching theme for the mural, not just a scattering of pretty, random flowers. My idea was to depict the seasons, starting with the rebirth and hope inherent in spring, through the lush abundance of summer, to the overripe harvest and natural decay of autumn, transitioning to the quiet rest and gathering of energy in the winter, ending with the return of spring.  I was hoping to create a feeling of harmony and natural synergy in the flow of the seasons. 

It was important to me to leave blank spaces in the mural.  I can't find the quote anywhere, but I was inspired by the idea that blank spaces are actually not empty, but full of potential.  These white areas, void of designs, allow the viewer a pause, a space to fill with their own imagination or just to rest their eyes before the next explosion of brilliant, vibrant color - like the space between breaths.  

Once the concept sketches were approved, it was time to begin.  Starting with the blossoms of spring, I painted the outline of the individual elements with burnt umber paint and then began to fill and shade with brilliant hues. 

 

You can see a time-lapse video of the painting in progress on my YouTube channel here. What you can't see and  hear in the video are the loud sounds and constant commotion of the active construction site below me while I worked high above on my scissor lift.  

Thank goodness for my earbuds and music to shut out the world and enable focus.  

Early on in the painting process, it became clear that people who stopped by liked the sketch elements without embellishment.  I was asked if I intended to leave some of the simple red-brown sketch outlines just as they were, without color.  It had not been my intention, but I decided to go ahead and give the suggestion a try.  It became a true collaboration between artist and onlookers.  To some it may look unfinished. To me it suggests the  beauty of things incomplete, waiting to emerge, take shape, and blossom.  

I worked my way through the delicate blooms of spring to the bare branches, berries, and migrating birds of winter in a couple of weeks.  I enjoyed coming to work each day in this beautiful space full of wonderful people fully invested in designing a memorable sensory experience for all who enter..  I am grateful to have been a part of it.  I hope you'll stop by Giorgio's Epicurean Market in Raleigh to see for yourself.  (Opening  late summer/early fall 2024)

More on wabi sabi from " Wabi Sabi: The Japanese Art of Impermanence" by Andrew Juniper...

"Taken from the Japanese words wabi, which translates to less is more, and sabi, which means attentive melancholy, wabi sabi refers to an awareness of the transient nature of earthly things and a corresponding pleasure in the things that bear the mark of this impermanence. As much a state of mind—an awareness of the things around us and an acceptance of our surroundings—as it is a design style, wabi sabi begs us to appreciate the pure beauty of life—a chipped vase, a quiet rainy day, the impermanence of all things. Presenting itself as an alternative to today's fast-paced, mass-produced, neon-lighted world, wabi sabi reminds us to slow down and take comfort in the natural beauty around us." 

This Was Not Written by AI

 

This post was not written by Artificial Intelligence.  It was written by me, Arianne.  This is the real deal. The idea to write this blog post came from a spark of thought developed in my actual human brain, encouraged by my imagination, and possibly spurred by subtle outrage over the sudden prevalence of AI content.  The first draft was written with my pen in my hand on a lined sheet of paper in a composition book purchased at Walmart. 

What will I write next?  It's unpredictable.  It might be full of errors, inspiring, or not. But one thing is certain.  These are my unique ideas coming from my distinct perspective.  I can say with confidence that there is not another person like me who has had the exact same experiences and influences - no one whose brain is biologically identical or whose synapses fire identically.  

Do you know what will come out of my brain next?  You don't and that is the beauty of it.  AI can steal my words, reassemble them into cogent paragraphs, and cobble them together with the thoughts of other writers, but it's a con job, a counterfeit, a theft.  I just thought it was important to tell you that in exchange for your precious time, I will give you something authentic and original - from me, Arianne, to you.  I cherish your interest and am grateful for your time.

Celebrating Spring with Creative Collage Art

 "The busy bee has no time for sorrow." 

- William Blake

 

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow."

- English Proverb

Every spring small piles of dirt would appear in my side lawn. Soon after, bees hovered and darted above in a busy cloud.  Their arrival was one of the first signs of the change of seasons in my yard.  They were visibly active for several weeks before disappearing from sight.  I walked through them unharmed to mow the grass.  

My neighbor urged me to spray pesticide, so I consulted the internet for information.  According to an article from the NC State Extension, these ground bees are important pollinators. The site urges NC residents to let these insects be(e), explaining that "protecting their nests is more beneficial than planting flowers". Sure enough, looking out my kitchen window the following day, I noticed the buds on the branch of my maple were positively humming with masses of my bees.

Somehow seeing this reminder of nature at work gives me a subtle sense of satisfaction and a warm feeling that I can best describe as hope.  After the cold winds and short days of winter, along comes spring with its new life and abundant growth.  I can't help but feel a surge of creative energy.  Ineveitably, I want to try something new and share it with all of you. 

So while the birds are out gathering twigs and moss for their nests, I'm collecting small scraps of paper for a collage.  Anything will do - pages from children's books, handwritten notes on lined paper, glossy images of the sky from a magazine, and torn pieces of floral scrapbook paper.

My mom said I left a trail of paper scraps and drops of glue behind me wherever I went as a child.  I was always cobbling things together to make art.  This project feels just as carefree.  My plan is to make a home portrait collage with mixed media.

I run out to the street in bare feet to snap a quick photo of the house, print it in black and white, and trim out the background with scissors. 

Then I rummage in my drawer of artist's treasure to select tools from a variety of mediums.

I grab a canvas and paint primer over a previous work of art.  Waste not, want not.

I start by assembling the torn scraps of paper and my home image in various ways until I'm satisfied with the layout.  Now it's Mod Podge time!  It's essential to cover every tiny bit of the paper with adhesive. Then press the paper carefully onto the board spreading out with your palms (or a roller if you have one) from center to outer edges.  If you accidentally end up with an air bubble under the paper, c'est la vie!  There is no perfection in collage work nor in life.  There will be wrinkles, and we will work with them.

Now that the scraps have been assembled to form a lovely background for my home, I can break out my watercolors, pencils, and markers to create a more cohesive scene with a bit of artist's magic.

You can watch my YouTube video to see the creation from start to finish.  Imitate the spring birds and start gathering your scraps to create something beautiful. 

Happy creating,

Arianne

www.sociableart.com

 

The Story Behind the Painting - Crystal Springs, FL

 
“A prosthetic leg with a Willie Nelson bumper sticker washed ashore on the beach, which meant it was Florida.
Then it got weird.”

― Tim Dorsey, Pineapple Grenade

"The Florida peninsula is, in fact, an emerging plateau, honeycombed with voids and vents, caves and underground waterways. Travelers on Interstate Highway I-75 have no idea that, beneath them, are cave labyrinths still being mapped by speleologists - 'cavers,' they prefer to be called." - Randy Wayne White

I saw a sign that said "MASSAGE, ICE CREAM" in bold caps.  It was a bicycle shop.  I was definitely in Florida. I had skipped the sunshine state during my 2023 cross-country travel adventure (read about that here). I wasn't in the mood at the time for more heat and humidity after a North Carolina summer. In January when the temperatures began to drop at home, it seemed like a good time to steer my car toward the land of alligators on a mission to see the wintering manatees in the crystal clear springs of the central gulf coast.  

My first destination was Three Sisters Spring in Crystal Springs, FL. Since I am one of three sisters in my family, it seemed like a fortuitous destination.  Once there, I was rewarded with a vision of other-worldly aqua blue pools bordered by vivid green palms, but no manatees.  I was informed by the helpful volunteers that the manatees head out to the bay during the day to feed, returning to the springs at high tide to rest and warm up.  

To while away the time before high tide, I decided to drive down the coast to see the Ringling (of circus fame) mansion and museum and Homosassa Springs.  All along the central gulf coast you can see relics of a bygone era of roadside attractions and gimmicky marketing.  In the forties, Homosassa Springs was a tourist attraction filled with exotic animals including monkeys and a hippopotamus.  I took the $3 riverboat ride complete with tour guide to learn about the history of the park.  Though the monkeys were no longer swinging from the vines, I still felt like I was going back in time to the Florida of the past.  I saw manatees here, but not in abundance, possibly because it was still not yet high tide. 

When I returned to Three Sisters later in the afternoon, over a hundred manatees were

making their way slowly from bay to canal to the springs past curious onlookers on the boardwalk and in kayaks and scuba gear.  Seeing the massive animals floating around in the clear water was just as magical as I imagined.  The sea cows, as they are nicknamed, are completely docile, curious, and peaceful - definitely "Type B" personalities.  Thank goodness for the volunteers and financial supporters for making sure the manatees always have a suitable winter refuge.  

On the following day, a fierce storm raged, shaking my tiny Airbnb house on its footers.  Due to tornado warnings, I was forced to stay in and hunker down. What better time to get out my paints?   Here's the painting I created that afternoon inspired by the magical mood of the springs.   I also included some of my Florida impressions below which I jotted down in my notebook along the way.  

In Florida...
I saw manatees lounging lazily in crystal blue springs, with no jobs;)  I saw a snowy white egret aloft above the highway, a flat round fish

shining silver clamped in his beak like an ad for seafood.

I saw banyan trees absurdly sending branches back down into the ground forming fortresses and jails with bough bars and strangler figs hugging palm trees slowly to death in overzealous protection.
I saw the costume worn by a Wallenda as he flew through the air with the greatest of ease.  It was in a glass case, moth-eaten, dusty and stationary.

The air smelled alternately of sulphur, marijuana, a sewer, the sea, and then a sweet tropical flower. 

Spanish moss hung everywhere.  Shells, wet and whole, washed ashore.  Feral pigs congregated.  There were roadside trailers, pain management clinics, and conspicuous wealth.  The skies were rounder, the clouds more contrasted. The palms rattled their dry fronds and the seagulls screeched.

I drove down a silent empty dirt road bordered by black swamp water, palmettos, and pines looking for an ancient cyprus which did not appear before my fear of the untamed wilderness made me turn back.

I gazed out at the ocean buoyed by the waves and calmed by the tide. 

- Arianne, January 2024

The Cost and Pricing of a Mural - 8 Factors to Consider

 

“Creativity is magic. Don’t examine it too closely.” – Edward Albee

Let me start by saying there is not a standard, set method for pricing a mural.  Some artists charge by the square foot, but this approach does not consider the complexity of the design among other things. I start with an hourly rate based on an estimate of the time required to complete the work.  Formulating the final quote also involves  taking into account eight additional factors listed below.  

To begin, my hourly rate is based on my years of experience, portfolio of work, and cost of living in the area in which I am working. Very generally speaking, muralists might charge anywhere from $50-$125/hr.  In addition to my hourly rate, I consider the following...

1. Condition of the Wall - What kind of preparation will the surface require to be paint-ready? How much time will it take to achieve?  If it is an exterior wall, will power washing, crack repair, etc. be handled by the client in advance?
2. Working Conditions - Is this a rush job with a tight deadline?  Will I be climbing up and down ladders and scaffolding or driving a motorized lift? Will I be working at night, outside in difficult weather conditions, in a crowded area with numerous distractions? Will there be a crowd watching my every move?  If so, then I am providing a form of performance art which requires an additional fee.
3. Location - How far will I have to travel each day?  Will I have to arrange for lodging? 
4. Materials Cost - Is this mural expected to last for centuries or just a few years?  Is it outside?  I have to consider these factors when choosing the quality and related cost of my paints and protective finishes.  Do I already have the necessary supplies on hand, or will I need to purchase additional materials? 
5. Equipment Cost - Will scaffolding, ladders, lights and other specialized equipment be required?  Will I have to supply them or will my client?
6. Design Work and Sketches - Time spent on sketches, design, revisions, and meetings are included in my mural quote at a lesser hourly rate.
7. Level of Experience - My years of experience, body of work, references, unique ideas, and reliability figure into my hourly rate.
8. Time-Lapse Videos of Work and Promotion - I often provide time-lapse videos and limited promotion of my work on social media, tagging the client if they agree.  There is an additional value for these services though I usually provide them at no additional charge.   

To sum up, I determine the cost of a mural project by estimating how long the project will take including design time.  I multiply my hourly rate by the number of hours.  Keep in mind that this is an estimate.  I do not relate the number of hours I expect to work along with my hourly rate to my clients.  I simply give them a set quote which either will meet their expectations/budget or not. This number will not change due to the amount of time the job actually takes to complete if that differs from my estimate though any deadlines must be met.  I do not punch in to a time clock.  My errors in estimating time more often benefit the client than the other way around. Then I add in supply cost, travel and lodging costs, working conditions fee (if it seems necessary for difficult conditions or performance art), and promotional fee (if I am asked to do anything beyond my typical social media promotions which are at no cost). I ask for a percentage of the payment up front to cover my supply cost at least.  I ask for the remainder of the payment on the day I finish the job.  

There are a lot of variables in this formula.  In my case, one benefit to my clients is that I work very quickly thus reducing the overall cost of the mural.  I work steadily with few breaks in order to get the work done quickly and with the least disruption for my client.  I show up on time and work long hours.  If my client has budget constraints and my quote is higher than they expected, we discuss alternate design options which might work for them and consider other ways of reducing the expense.

If you have any questions, please feel free comment.