This blog has moved

This blog is now located at http://blog.jennalucente.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://blog.jennalucente.com/feeds/posts/default.

Post #27 Are you creative?

Are you creative? Many times, we can look at a work of art and say to ourselves, wow! that artist is so creative! how did they ever think of that?

We see this creativity as a sort of gift, something bestowed upon only a few select members of society. and to a certain extent, this may very well be the case. However, I believe it is possible to foster creativity at every level. If you are a beginning artist or designer, what you may really need are some good work habits (see post below). Some type of discipline where you will just crank out a whole bunch of stuff. If you draw a tree and a dog, you may ask youself -

what if the tree were bigger? smaller? on the left? on the right? close to the dog? far from the dog? what is the picture plane was horizontal? vertical? what if the dog was this way? or that way? this is a good conversation to have with oneself when creating something.

So these are practical thoughts.

but I believe the most important creative tool you have is, obviously, your mind. Now the question becomes, how do I take this mind, and allow it to be free, to run in circles, to be open to be receptive to the flow of ideas?

Letting the mind quiet down allows your creativity to come to the surface. Artists have a studio for a reason - it’s not just so we have a place to put all our art stuff - its so we have a place to think - a place where we can let the mind simmer down, quiet down. A place where we can listen to our inner drawing, and let it come out.

Now couple a little quiet time with some good work habits, and before you know it, you’ll be cranking stuff out.

Now imagine you were just as creative about your everyday life as you were with your art? What would that look like?

I believe we are all creative people, some express this through art, some through fashion, some through home decor, some through words, some through food, or whatever.

You have this creativity within you - know this. and don’t just yeah yeah me - because what i am telling you is the truth. You are creative. So quiet that mind down, experiment a little, and you will see your creativity come through in ways you never even imagined.

Post #26 good work habits

Very often I will have an idea for a painting, and I can see it perfectly clear before it is even made. I can see the colors, I can see where everything would be placed. So sure, I could go ahead and execute this idea, and probably end up with something halfway decent, or I could do what I actually do - which is draw it out - and make 25 different versions of it.

When you are designing something, or constructing a composition for something, I think one of the most important qualities any artist can possess is to be open to change, and to be willing to experiment. Being able to discipline yourself to not just go with your gut, but to try out many many different arrangements, helps break down barriers in the mind. It also forms as a training device for when you have a creative block. You may end up doing a comp, and then ten variations of this comp. This is a good working habit.

There are so many possibilities and ways to achieve a successful image. Taking the long way down the path sometimes allows you to find the most useful way to do so.

So the challenge here, is to keep playing and keep pushing yourself.

In life, we may ask ourselves - do we always see the end of something as a predetermined destiny? Do we only see it one way? And only having one ending? Or do we allow ourselves to have variations, knowing that there are many ways that life can happen?

It has been said that we become unhappy because our reality does not align with our predetermined idea of how life should be. That if we actually appreciate life as it is, that you will achieve happiness. Well, that's what they say anyways..... (bartender, can I get a drink over here? )

So art or life, your choice, allow yourself variations, take the time to experiment, and yes, go with your gut, but be willing to change, be willing to play, be willing to take the long road, and know that there are many many possibilities waiting for you. yes, I mean YOU!

post #25 let go

As some of you may know, I have been perma-loaning some older paintings out. This has been a win win situation because it gets a work of art out into the world, and it clears a whole bunch of space for all the new work I have been making the past few years.

Artistically, I was thinking how freeing, absolutely freeing it is, to just release these older works out into the world without any agenda, without any regulation, designation, hidden agenda or other such nonsense.

And now I am wondering why it is so difficult, and challenging, to let go of LIFE's old mental junk. Why does it still clamor in our heads? We can easily part with that old painting or old sweater that no longer serves us - why can't we part ways with old thought patterns or things in our past as easily? After all, most of the things we are clinging to don't even exist in the physical realm. None of them tangible, yet so difficult to truly, really let go.

So I offer up my old though patterns, my box of mental junk from the past, to be free, to go out into the world. And in doing so, allow much more room for what I have now.

wow! this sounds like an excellent plan, doesn't it?

post #24 change is a coming

A girl steps into her large backyard. The sun suddenly dips behind a cloud and a strong wind blows in from the east. A bird squawks in the background, and the girl whips her head to the right to get a better look. A close-up reveals a slight look of panic in her eyes. We pan over to the long tall grass, which is blowing in the breeze. Somewhere in the background, we hear a dog barking. Back to the girl, she buttons up her sweater and quickly goes inside.

If this were a movie, you would know that a something strange was a brewing, and change is near, or something is about to happen.....

Ok, so it's not really a movie, its life, and art, and both are calling out to me. Both have their wind on my back, and both are cackling at me.

I can see this and I can hear it. I am aware of this big hairball tumbling by. Now, what do do about it is anyone's guess - but i think it can only lead to an interesting development in the studio, and an interesting development in life.

stay tuned......

I am just as curious as you to see what happens

post #23 your new year is NOW

Friends, it is time. So often we look at the calendar, and see that old year go, and new year come, and judge ourselves harshly and accordingly as to what we have or have not accomplished. This can often be a negative process - and who needs that?

Well folks, the good news is you can change your negative into a positive - starting NOW!

What if there was no new year, no old year? What if every day you awoke, you declared it a new day, brand new? What if you approached this new day thinking everything is possible, there are no limitations?

Imagine no limitations at all, in anything.

So wake yourself up tomorrow and just declare this day to be the start of the best day of your life. And do that every day, thus making each and every day filled with limitless possibilities, and every day better than the next, simply because you decided it to be so.

After all, you are creating your own world in your mind, why not make it a good one?

And as for artwork, why not let that be limitless and ever expanding? growing, always changing, ever evolving - that sounds like some good work you got there!

Post #22 - large swimming painting available

This HUGE swimming painting is available for permanant loan to anyone with a good home!

This super large swimming painting (measures 95" wide by 65" tall) could be in your home or office! ME: providing you a custom work of art on permanant loan basis YOU: will need to rent a uhaul to get it, and have a giant wall available contact me if interested

Post #21 Farewell, dear jeans!

I regret to inform everyone of the passing of my favorite pair of jeans.

These jeans came to me about 5 years ago, free, from the "giveaway table" at work. Miraculously, they fit perfectly, and became my #1 go to pair of jeans. I've worn them religiously since then, or better phrased, wore them like it was a religion.

At approximately 10am, I discover a large un-repairable gash in the backside, where the denim literally wore itself out. A tear was brought to my eye, but I knew this day would happen, so I have chosen to face it with strength and dignity.

I am very thankful for the time we have shared together, and I will never forget the special role my lovely jeans have played in my life.

What i was thinking is kind if nice is that now i have some extra room in my dresser drawer. Room for something new. I got what i needed from these jeans, and i feel complete about moving forward in my life without them.

I was thinking about this in relation to the studio - although i have experimented with different styles - i have been able to let certain things go, and make room for the new stylistic decisions when appropriate. It makes the work better.

In life, maybe you have held on to certain idea of beliefs, and maybe they served you well at some point. But maybe its time to let them go, and make room for some new ones. Just because they served you well in the past, doesn't mean you necessarily need them now.

So maybe think back to those beliefs - one of my favorite advice givers suggested that, for example, telling children "don't talk to strangers" maybe be appropriate at that time - however, it is not necessarily appropriate as we grow older - if we kept this belief we would have a very isolated and lonely life, no?

so be it the jeans, be it artistic styles, be it your thought patterns, can you value what has served you well in the past, but be willing to let go and make space for whatever newness you may need for your present?

post #21 my 10 minutes of fame

I was recently visited and interviewed in my studio by Ginger Shulick, from the Council of the Arts and Humanities of Staten Island. Ginger hosts interviews with Staten Island artists regularly, and is also an independent curator. You can view the video here:

Arts Scene 6 from kenneth Paul Media on Vimeo.

Post #20 waterproof and shockproof

Ever since I was a teenager, I have been wearing a Swatch brand watch. My swatch is waterproof and shockproof. I can shower and swim with it, and it still works great. I can smash it into a wall, or let it drop on the floor, and it continues to function perfectly.

Inspired by my love of the swatch, I asked myself, Can I be waterproof and shockproof? Can my art be waterproof and shockproof? Can I be unruffled, and remain true to myself, no matter what? Can I be so strong internally that nothing can touch me?

So no matter what life has thrown at me, be it the smallest of things, or the biggest of things, can I be made so well, made so very very well, that I remain completely intact and work just fine - just like my swatch?

and in the studio, making the art that I make - can that practice, and its result also be as waterproof and shockproof? Can it still function perfectly even thru adverse conditions? Is it so strong, - and its not even the work that i am talking about here, but more the intent, - that it can just be its own thing? and just continue to go, and go, and GO?

as you can see, there's lots of question marks punctuating this little entry, so obviously, I am still pondering the thought, but its a good thought to have - and good thoughts are always welcome in the house of Jenna.

Post #19 by the time i got to woodstock...........

Post #18 free and clear

So, I was reminded today of the concept of being free and clear.

In the studio, you want to acknowledge that the work you make comes from your experience, your work history, your training. But, can you walk into the studio each day and let yourself be free and clear of all that has happened in previous work sessions, and approach that days' work session completely free and clear? Its actually quite tough. We artists have our favorite habits, our favorite materials, our favorite elements, our style, and yes, we do want consistancy in our work - but yet, can you say hello to all that, but let yourself make stuff that is free and clear of everything else? it is quite the challenge because your past is literally looking at you while you work.

In your life, can you do the same? believe it or not, it somehow seems a bit easier. Each day we wake up, and sure, we are influenced by our background, our upbringing, and whatever has happened in previous days - but can we approach each day freely and clearly? Can you be new to yourself and your life? Now some people may like to thing of this as living in the moment, living in the now, but I actually think its a bit different. Maybe it is a choice that when you wake up that day, that it is a new day in every sense. So can you approach that day free and clear of whatever happened previously? Can you let you mind be free and clear? can you in fact, tell, or rather- train, your brain to be free and clear?

free and clear, this is my dog, I'll ask her what advice she may give!

Post #17 the five best

Of course, i am in the studio these days - always good - and drawing has been particularly on my mind. I asked myself what makes a drawing successful to me? and usually, its the quality of line. I decided to take a long hard look around the studio, identify my five favorite lines, and from now on, to use only those 5 best lines in my drawings.

so why not apply this concept, and more appropriately i may add, to our brain?

I ask you - imagine if you were only allowed to have 5 thoughts in your head at a time - what would those five thought be? would you waste one of them on "I can't believe that guy cut me off!" or would you rather have one of your five be "Love surrounds me" or "My body is a good healthy body"

Now the exercise, and it really is exercise because the brain is a muscle that can be trained -

is to only allow yourself 5 thoughts into your brain. So choose your five, and make them the best.

Only the best!

Post #16 hmm....not much to say

so its a nice, long, not so hot summer and like many of you, I am enjoying a more leisurely way of life these days. Fairly relaxed in general, with not too much of an agenda.

I am in the studio very regularly, and am working on some paintings. However, I thought I would use this summer as an opportunity to explore something new and different for me - a new series of drawings.

So here I am, working on these drawings, which in and of themselves will be complete works of art - and guess what? I am not so sure what's going on with them. They may have potential, or they may just be total crap. The most important thing is i have decided to give myself time to just play around, no agenda, no goal, and see what happens. To step outside of my own comfort zone, and to let my studio time just be as it is, without it necessarily being result oriented.

Of course I am going to ask you to apply this same principle to your life. Imagine approaching your life without an agenda, without a destination, imagine allowing your life to take its own shape - be it better, worse, whatever. No judgement on whatever it may be.

What i am hoping both for life and the art, is that through time and letting things develop as they should, what i need to know will rise to the surface and it will be this that i catch in my little net and examine a bit more closely.

happy summer!

sunbock

swimming

half iced tea/half lemonade

fun adventures

all good stuff