The Art of Listening

Dear Artist,

This week's topic is the art of listening. Specifically, how listening to your art as you mark-make, compose, and finalize an image can reveal deeper insights not only about the piece but about yourself.

Have you ever stopped to think about the decisions you make while creating a piece of art? The marks you choose to make, the colors you select, the composition you create, and even the "mistakes" you make during the process can all reveal a story about the piece and about yourself.
During the creation process, we often enter a state of flow where we are free to express our thoughts and emotions without judgment. Personally, this is how I like to create. It is totally different from a planned image and by taking the time to get into a right-brained "flow" state, it allows me to see and hear differently and much more intuitively. It is these creative sessions I want to look at. When we listen to our art, we can better understand the choices we make and how they reflect our innermost thoughts and feelings. This can lead to a greater understanding of ourselves and a deeper appreciation for the art we create.

I invite you to explore this concept further and to consider the messages your art may be telling you. Take a moment to reflect on your recent works and the choices you made while creating them. You may be surprised by what you discover.

Below are 5 tips on how to listen to or deconstruct your art to hear what it is saying.

1. Take a step back: Before diving in and analyzing your art, take a step back and look at it from a distance. This can help you see the overall composition, color choices, and other elements that may not be as noticeable up close.
2. Analyze your marks: Look closely at the marks you've made and the techniques you've used. Are they light and delicate, or bold and forceful? Are they intricate or simple? Each mark can convey a different emotion or message.
3. Consider your color choices: Colors can evoke specific emotions and have different meanings depending on their context. Analyze the colors you've chosen and what they may be saying about the piece.
4. Reflect on your process: Consider the mistakes you made while creating the piece and how you responded to them. Did you embrace the mistakes and turn them into something positive? Or did they cause frustration and hinder your creative flow?
5. Ask yourself questions: Ask yourself questions about your art, such as what emotions or messages it conveys, what it says about your personal journey, and what you want others to take away from it. This can help you understand your art on a deeper level.

By taking the time to listen to your art, you can gain valuable insights and create pieces that truly speak to you and your audience. I hope you find these tips helpful!