Things I'd like to paint in 2012...

The following list was taken directly from my notebook, where I jot down every idea I have, no matter how random or vague. I'd advise any artist to make written notes - I find them as useful as sketches, if not more so sometimes. Often a single word is all it takes to jog my memory, and then I remember the image I had in my mind while I was writing the word in my notebook. But that's the important thing: I actually have to write things down - if I don't, I'm scared that a potentially brilliant idea (possibly leading to a new series of work) could be lost forever. My brain runs at a million miles per hour, and throughout the course of a day I tend to have several new ideas. I'd never be able to keep track of them without making notes!

I'll use most ideas, even if it takes a few years - sometimes, the time has to be right to paint a certain subject, and you'll find you won't get around to it until you're ready - and some I'll probably never use. I'll either discard the idea altogether, or maybe the initial idea doesn't work but it will become the spark for something else.

All I know is this: I couldn't survive without my notebook.

 

Things I'd like to paint in 2012...

[Please don't laugh at my descriptions - as I said, this is taken straight from my notebook!]

* Dala Horse (make template). Use as silhouette and create a landscape around it in gouache and acrylic ink. [In the notebook this is accompanied by little sketches].

* LARGE FEATHERS [Not sure why this is written in caps - maybe I didn't want to forget it? By the way, this is Leon's idea - he wants me to paint huge feathers on canvas or directly on to walls!]

* Campfires

* Exmoor ponies

* Pegasus

* Ghost Birds

* Mountain Ranges

* Antlers - on stones and pottery

* Huge realistic moon

* Snowy folk art landscape with spindly trees

* Flying birds over fields

* - TREE STUMPS -

* Turquoise and orange / Turquoise and teal on a pale blue-grey background.

* Design Seeds blog as inspiration for colour combos.

 

That will do for today - I'm sharing just a few of my ideas for now. I can't give everything away at once, can I?! ;)

Have a fantastic New Year and I'll see you in 2012! x

Comments

[Nicky]

Thanks for sharing some of your notebook ideas!

Keeping a notebook, as well as a sketchbook, is a great idea.

A notebook is fantastic for jotting down the initial impression.

Sometimes I see beautiful colour combinations in the most unlikliest of places, such as in the loos at B&Q in Exeter, which are painted a subtle shade of bluey-lilac, surrounded by crisp white and a delicate pale shade of grey. I even got a couple of swatch cards from the paint section to help me keep the colour combination in mind.

Of course, the main idea remains to be realised into a painting, but it does spark off an artistic impulse or drive to make the whole idea more than the sum of its parts.

Wishing you all the best in 2012!

[Jessie]

I do this but then I write them in random places and forget where I've written them. I like your idea of having a notebook where all my ideas can go so I don't have to look through everything to find them! ;o)
I love to see how other artists create, whether it's the same as me or completely different I find it fascinating.
Thanks so much for sharing this. :)
Jess xx

[Julie Lapointe]

What a great suggestion. Memory forgets so easily, I know mine does! :-)
I wish you a happy New Year and I am looking forward to your posts, they are always inspiring!

[Evan]

Oooohhhhh...ghost birds (steal) yes, please. I agree...no matter how seemingly random, get it down anyway that works for you in the moment- it might be the seed of the next brilliant run of ideas.

Music to draw ghost birds to- The Handsome Family: "Birds You Cannot See"

[suzie]

I do exactly the same thing! In fact, I often feel guilty that my "sketchbook" has more writing than actual sketches :)
I find that words help the ideas blossom better, and allow the art to evolve well.
Love your tree stumps - sad and beautiful at the same time.

[Finefettle]

Thanks for sharing. I really look forward to seeing these. Have a lovely time in Paris, and get well soon. x