How to Paint Like a Child; the Key to Fearless Creativity

 "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

Pablo Picasso

I sometimes have the pleasure of painting with groups of loud, energetic kids.  Cups of water get spilled, paint ends up in hair, and I have to raise my voice to be heard.  You might be surprised to know that I find this chaos refreshing and inspiring. Why? 

When was the last time you observed a kid under the age of ten painting?   Kids paint with reckless abandon.  They paint freely without expectation and without the inner critic judging their work.  Most of us have forgotten how to express ourselves in this way, but that doesn't mean we can't return to a state of carefree creativity.

Those of us who have weathered our share of years have become more cautious and unsure. We've all heard some criticism in our lives from ourselves and others. As a result, we've lost our creative confidence. We like having someone tell us exactly how to create our art step by step, so there is less room for error.  

That is, after all, why we like Sip and Paint classes.  Unfortunately, by removing the room for error, we also remove the space for originality.  It's time to find that child inside you and recapture that wild, untamed spirit.  Your art can only benefit from this approach.

Below, I've listed seven general behaviors that I have observed during kids' painting events that differ from our adult approach to painting.  Next, it is your job to create a painting like a kid using these behaviors.

1. Kids don't listen.  I'm up there talking, and the kids are polite, but they are not doing what I am telling them to do. They don't take instruction well.  I say, "Paint the vase white."  They proceed to paint it whatever color they feel like painting it.  Their artistic instincts have not yet been tamed. Forget about what you were told, do it your way.

2. They break the rules. They use unconventional colors.  They mix them in unexpected ways.  They use brushes in unpredictable ways.  Leaves that were green on the example painting become blue on their canvas.  They mix orange and blue which results in a muddy brown, but somehow they make it work.  They just choose the color that speaks to them. Go on, be a rebel!

3. They have the benefit of not having been taught "how to do it".  Technique teaches us that there is a right way and a wrong way.  We get bogged down by technique.  Kids have not had their artistic instincts tampered with yet.  They will use paint and brushes in ways that you would never consider and in ways that an instructor would never suggest.  Forget what you've learned and trust your instincts.   

4. They paint fast. They don't take time to think. They just act.  They don't stop to plan.  There is none of the hesitation that comes with self-doubt.   if I expect an event to last an hour and a half, the kids will always be done in less than an hour. Try painting quickly without thinking.  For inspiration watch MarsupialPudding speed painting a night sky on YouTube.    Don't think, act!

5. They are Fearless. They don't worry about the outcome before painting a flower stem, they just do it.  If they don't like it, they just paint over it.  They are not afraid.  They make lots of mistakes.  They are comfortable with it.  To them, it is called learning. Be fearless.

6.  They don't imitate.  Their goal is to express themselves.  When this is your aim, you create original art.   For the most part, they still don't mind being different.  Unlike adults, they don't wish to create a carbon copy of my art.  After all, they see the subject differently, because they have not lost their artistic eye.  They see it with no preconceived notions of how it should be. Originate, don't imitate.  

7.  They don't judge themselves harshly.  When they are finished, they are generally happy with their work.  They did not enter the exercise with the kind of expectations that adults put on themselves.  No one has classified them yet as artistic or unartistic.  This is what Picasso meant when he said, "all children are artists".   Be your kindest critic.  Give yourself a break.

So go ahead and be fearless.  Paint like a kid.  I think you'll be pleased with the results as long as you silence that annoying inner critic.  If you are interested in the topic of children and creativity, you can find more interesting information on this page on the Family Education website.  

This is a repost of a 2016 blog by me.  If you enjoyed this post, considering checking out my book, Approaching the Blank Canvas, Real Talk on Fear, Inspiration and Not Giving Up in Art and Life. It’s full of true tales and tips from my 20+ years of making art for a living. It’s available on Amazon Books and you can also find the link to it and my other books on my DesignsbyArianne website.   

Gyotaku Fish Prints & Mural in Wilmington, NC

 

Making a gyotakui fish print

"Gyotaku (魚拓, from gyo "fish" + taku "stone impression", fish print(ing)) is the traditional Japanese method of printing fish, a practice which dates back to the mid-1800s. This form of nature printing, where ink is applied to a fish which is then pressed onto paper, was used by fishermen to record their catches, but has also become an art form of its own.” Wikipedia

Let me start out by saying that I didn’t know anything about gyotaku prior to being tasked with creating a mural in a sushi restaurant, Tomiko-san in Wilmington, NC.  An image of one of these traditional fish prints was forwarded to me as inspiration for my mural, so I turned to the internet for a quick education.  

I had no plans at that time to apply ink or paint to an actual fish.  The scale of the mural was going to be too large for that.  I resorted to manufacturing a new mural technique to resemble gyotaku. Thanks to Chef James Nash, I also had an opportunity to create several fish prints on paper during the project as you can see below. 

On the day before I was scheduled to start my mural, I tried my experimental “gyotaku” technique on the wall of my garage. I’m glad I did.  I tried a variety of materials, many of which did not work well.  The next day, I arrived on the job with a large roll of craft paper, a big brush along with several smaller sizes for detail, a sea sponge,  white, black, sepia, and ochre acrylic paints, and flow extender medium. I had plucked the sea sponge right out of the surf at Holden Beach the week before.

Gyotaku Fish mural at Tomiko-San in Wilmington, NC

My plan was to paint fish on large pieces of craft paper with a mixture of paint and acrylic flow medium and then to
press the painted paper onto the wall leaving an imprint.  It took some experimentation to find the right amount of paint to apply to the paper.  I had to work quickly or the paper would soak up the paint and dry. I used the sea sponge to add a little texture and movement in the background.

I had just finished one wall, when Chef James asked if I would be interested in creating a print from an actual fish.  I didn’t even hesitate to seize the opportunity.  When he walked out of the kitchen with a beautiful striped jack in his hands, I admit to feeling a little nervous about my lack of experience.  I set my reservations aside and reached for the paint.  He who hesitates is lost according to some wise person.  

Gyotaku Fish Prints by Arianne

I knew I didn't have the correct supplies.  I should have had ink and rice paper.  Instead I had a tablet of coarse heavyweight mixed media paper and acrylic paints.  Not ideal, but I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity. 

I decided to apply paint in a few varied and subtle shades to mimic the actual color of the fish. I took a sheet of my heavy paper and pressed it down upon the fish gently with Chef James watching over my shoulder.  I could tell the thickness of the paper was a problem.  I couldn’t get it to flex around the sides of the fish without creasing.  I avoided the eye, having learned you add that afterwards with a paintbrush. 

Gyotaku Fish Print by Arianne

The first attempt looked a bit messy and taught me
that cold fish sweat. You need to pat and dry your fish well before starting.  I made several more prints after that, refreshing the paint partway through. Each new print was better than the last.  I  wish I could have made more.

After adding the eye to each print, I could have finished right then and there, but I decided to take them home to fill in some of the missing areas and add a bit of detail with watercolors and a fine brush.

Gyotaku Fish Print by Arianne

I think they turned out pretty well for my first effort.  Everyone was also pleased with the way the mural complimented the aesthetic.  You can go see it yourself  and enjoy the finest sushi in town at Tomiko-san.   Learn more about Gyotaku here.  Interested in purchasing a fish print? Contact me here.

"Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

If you enjoyed this post, considering checking out my book, Approaching the Blank Canvas, Real Talk on Fear, Inspiration and Not Giving Up in Art and Life. It’s full of true tales and tips from my 20+ years of making art for a living. It’s available on Amazon Books and you can also find the link to it and my other books on my DesignsbyArianne website.   

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

 

If you enjoyed this post, considering checking out my book, Approaching the Blank Canvas, Real Talk on Fear, Inspiration and Not Giving Up in Art and Life. It’s full of true tales and tips from my 20+ years of making art for a living. It’s available on Amazon Books and you can also find the link to it and my other books on my DesignsbyArianne website.   

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." 

If you enjoyed this post, considering checking out my book, Approaching the Blank Canvas, Real Talk on Fear, Inspiration and Not Giving Up in Art and Life. It’s full of true tales and tips from my 20+ years of making art for a living. It’s available on Amazon Books and you can also find the link to it and my other books on my DesignsbyArianne website.   

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

 

If you enjoyed this post, considering checking out my book, Approaching the Blank Canvas, Real Talk on Fear, Inspiration and Not Giving Up in Art and Life. It’s full of true tales and tips from my 20+ years of making art for a living. It’s available on Amazon Books and you can also find the link to it and my other books on my DesignsbyArianne website.