My Spirit Rising painting has been put in the Saatchi Gallery Showdown at the following link. Please go to it and vote for me! http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/showdown/index.php?showpic=257544

The Artist Challenge 26: "CBS Sunday Morning - Sun Mandala"

This is my latest painting "hot" off the easel. It is a 30" X 30" mixed media, mandala painting on canvas, that symbolizes the sun and fire. The symbols are all researched based on their significance to the sun deity and each has a significant meaning. This was in response to the latest Artist Challenge #26 from The Artist Challenge Website - (http://www.theartistchallenge.com) which was to create a sun for the CBS Sunday Morning television show archives. 

The entire design is based on the principles used in the making of Tibetan mandalas. There is a lot of detail that this photo of the painting has not been able to pick up, but I basically wanted to represent the fact that all things on this earth are inherently affected by the sun's gifts. As we see a move to greener energy usage, we are reminded of the importance of every element that we have taken for granted for years in our daily lives. Where would we be without the sun? More explanation of the elements used in creating a mandala will be given in future posts.

Decontructing Creativity:Interesting Post

Here's an interesting post regarding some ways to enhance the creative process  and idea development, making it more effective, by the use of four archetypal roles. Each one uses different mindsets and skills, requiring you to play different characters and roles. "Deconstructing Creativity: The Four Roles You Need to Play to Be Fully Creative" @  litemind.com/creativity-roles/
I actually have had Roger Von  Oech's "Creative Whack Pack" for many years. Many moons ago we used it to help with idea development when I worked in advertising. I keep it out in my studio where I can grab it and use it when I am feeling frustrated about the way my painting is going. Somehow, it always loosens me up or gives me a new perspective on my dilemma.

Creative Immersion

   As my creative work sustains me and helps me to overcome the current obstacles, it is changing and evolving. Oftentimes, creative immersion sets the stage for my day. There are days when I begin painting and have lost myself so deeply in the immersion of creativity and process, that my son returns home at dinnertime and brings me back to the reality that the sun has set and it is now dark outside. Those are the days I love! The only diversions of the day were to pour another steaming cup of tea, or give a well earned treat to my trusty chocolate lab laying at my feet. Oh, and every now and then a step back to assess what I have accomplished and what needs to be changed.
  There are many who feel diversity in your work can be detrimental to attracting galleries and collectors. I feel that the evolution of an artist is essential to their creativity. Getting pigeonholed into one style never helped any artistic soul to advance -  be it in the visual, architectural, stage and screen or music venues. Studying artists of the past is more interesting to me when I look at the evolution of their work. My paintings are created with the thought that I want to express and share how I feel about what I see and also how I see it, with the freedom of imagination and discovery. Skill and constant learning are essential. One day a week, at least, I allow myself the opportunity to begin to create a painting in a totally different manner or style -appeasing my visionary soul, to keep my imagination and creativity developing. I hope you will follow along in this evolution. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Creative Block and Sustenance

Currently I am starting to read Twyla Tharp's  acclaimed book, 'The Creative Habit', which focuses on the virtues of habit, discipline, preparation, and routine in the development of art and creativity in your life. Another book, just received on Saturday, Alyson Stanfield's, 'I'd Rather be in the Studio' will be the next on the list. So I have a good amount of reading to do this week for nourishment of the process. I am working on some new garden designs as well, and will be finishing up the painted piece for Lyme Disease Awareness this week. More to come on that later. In addition, initial work on the latest challenge painting for The Artist Challenge: 'CBS Sun Art' for the 'CBS Sunday Morning' show will begin to develop.  I will be posting those as they are finished. Creative and artistic sustenance are essential right now to keep me immersed in my work. In the past few years I have found that it is easy for a creative block to sneak in and take over, if I don't somehow keep feeding my mind's eye, imagination and soul when I am not able to be at the easel.

( Today, and every Monday are primarily spent reading, doing office paperwork and sketching. Mondays I go for antibiotic injection treatments, so it is a bit harder to sustain working, as I feel a bit under the weather at first. My treatments are midday, so in the morning I work on blog updates and computer work. We were out of power for a few days which has thrown things off a bit more!) 

"Fire" painting....finally complete!

 

Here is the latest finished painting...this one has been holding out for some time! 'Fire', as he is called, is the first in a series of paintings that are my symbolic representations of the five elements. These are referred to in Feng Shui practice as well as many other ancient and medieval philosophies, poetry
 and numerology to name a few examples. Fire is symbolic of fervent emotion or enthusiasm and is also suggestive of the spiritual plane. It represents the sense of sight, which is why I emphasized the intense look in his eyes. The colors and technique I used to paint him are symbolic of the embers and the depth of color in a fire. Philosophically it signifies transition, action, movement and power as well as instinct passion and desire. There are deities and angels specifically associated with the element of fire... Archangel Michael to name one. Fire is considered a universal symbol.
When he is sold I will miss him. He has been watching over me in the studio, as an intriguing presence - for some time. Paintings can be like children, with you for the brief moments in time that you share learning together, and then they are off to fly on their own. (Prints are available on my website.)

One of my favorite quotes by Buddha is: 
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

Poppies- Flowers of Love!

(copyright 2010) Gail M. Allen

Poppies  16" X 20" Acrylic on Canvas

This is my latest painting for the "Valentine" challenge on The Artist Challenge web site.

http://www.theartistchallenge.com

I wanted to do a floral and began researching lovely red flowers for the message they covey

and their symbolic element. In Persian poetry and literature the red poppy is considered the  eternal flower

of love. Poppies signify many different kinds of love, from fertility, to 
consolation and everlasting life. In China they represent loyalty and faith 
between lovers; according to a Chinese legend about a beautiful courageous woman 
who was married to a warrior and followed him into battle, standing at his side. 
The petals are said to reflect her spirit dancing in the wind, holding her 
sword, as her husband's troops were defeated in battle. A cluster of poppies in 
full bloom was said to have grown on her grave. 

You may purchase prints or  contact me about purchasing the original at my gallery web site:

http://www.gailallenartist.com 

Supporting ther Arts

Why support the Arts? My view is that all art is about the penetration of the surface. It is about expressions of delving deeper, finding the essence and connecting to something on a soul level. Its about sharing and caring and that is what we are here to do.
Judgment often reflects fear and insecurities of your own.
Supporting the arts is making a conscious decision about how you live your life.

The Flow of Creativity

Painting Progressions

2010 New Year's Resolution

On the eve of 2010 I am in a mood of contemplation. Aren't we all? The biggest question is: "Are you here as a spectator, or are you actively involved in your journey, creating your life's experiences?" I have a card with the statement, "I Came To Live Out Loud"  in a prominent spot in my studio, which is a telling statement of how I view life. As Yoda said in the infamous Star Wars movie, "There is no try, only do." Today, through meditation, in a state of peace and also with enthusiasm for the coming year, I am asking Spirit to guide me in "doing".
  Working on my business plan today, making many observations and decisions on where I am headed and what experiences my soul is still requiring to feel fulfilled, the realization that it is not just about my art career, for me, all of my senses must be included in the plan, or else it will not work. The goal is to stay balanced this year. My painting style is changing, evolving, transforming through a metamorphose brought on by a previous year and a half of immense change. Having been in the cocoon for awhile, with the onset of spring, my wings will be opening for new adventures -  I would like to travel much more...time to get out and change the view, Spirit is calling me on.
May you find some time for peaceful contemplation today to ask your soul's intentions. May the coming year offer challenges to help you grow, and also the enjoyment of the fulfillment of your successful personal advancement. Remember, "There is no try, only do." All the best to you, and yours, in 2010.

Words of Gratitude

I just received a lovely comment from a follower on one of my sites which inspired me to say "Thank You" to all of my supporters and patrons today. There are times where our chosen field of work can seem frustrating and even a bit daunting, (if not a bit lonely - although I believe creativity needs solitude to flourish). At these times in my life I am so grateful for the positive input of friends, followers and critics. To me, art is a gift both to the artist-creator and then also to the beholder, whether bought, or just viewed somewhere else.  The inspirations that suggest to us the ambitions and desires to express something we as artists perceive through our senses are brought to life as a separate entity and given away to start a new life of their own. It is through this constant birthing we as artists continue to grow in our awareness. It is not unlike a pregnancy- exhilarating, inspiring, exhausting, frustrating and fearful of the final letting go, yet euphoric at the lessons learned and the outcome. A life forever changed by the circumstance. This holiday season I am grateful for the privilege  and challenge of being included in a long list of creators given the chance to express my perceptions. Thank you and may you find peace and love in the coming year.

Works in Progress -Mountain Stream

"Mountain Stream" is a larger landscape, 30" X40" and was first posted in the black and white value study. At this stage, it is about halfway to completion. Currently, I am working on getting the brightness of light in the distance just right. Water and streams have a significance in all of my work, signifying the ebb and flow of life. As does the title of this blog. This was started quite a while ago - before I became ill, so I feel it is significant that as I return to my painting, the flowing stream is the first to be completed. Have a great holiday season, remember to be thankful for the moments you are in - no matter how insignificant they may seem. All the Best to You and Yours!

"Creative Flow Dreaming" : from The Works on Paper Series by Gail Allen

I started this series while confined to a chair, or bed, for a period of months as I recuperated from a tough fight with advanced Lyme disease. The series chronicles the many feelings of  ups and downs I was experiencing on my road to healing. This period gave me the opportunity to go back to working with other implements, besides paints and brushes, which I had become so accustomed to,  out of necessity because of the limitations of my work environment.  It also freed my time to do more abstract work, and an enormous amount of reading and DVD watching about artists and techniques - which I rarely take the time to do.
This particular piece is made up of many of the symbols researched over the years - from Native American to Dream symbolism, as well as some Numerology. While listening to a "Hay House Radio Show - Flowdreaming by Summer McStravick"  I worked on developing this piece. It was an interesting venture into my soul's desires and needs at the time.

My painting Style

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1311625/My_style
 

"Painter's Painting" A Movie for Creativity and Inspiration

"Painter's Painting" is an interesting film about Abstract Expressionism and the Pop Culture movement in American Art which is on DVD.  The movie incorporates a collage of artists' portraits, through conversations in their studios, who lived in the postwar New York art scene. Johns, Rauschenberg, Frankenthaler,  Hoffman, Noland, Olitsky, Motherwell and Frank Stella to name a few. The documentary film is by Emile de Antonio and focuses on the  "New York Painting and Sculpture: 1940-1970" exhibition as well as an inside look into the minds of some of the most influential artists of our time. For me, it was very inspirational from a conceptual standpoint: a reminder of why I decided to be an artist and why I struggle to express myself and my ideas daily. To me, the film  was a great foray into the creative thinking process, that left me feeling like I had just had a captivating and thought provoking lunch conversation with some of the best in the modern art world. Not to be missed.

"Fine Art Views" An Artist's Marketing and Advice Blog by Clint Watson....

Another one of my favorite blogs to follow is "Fine Art Views" by Clint Watson. It is an invaluable source of a wealth of information, advice and inspiration! I have found many minutes of relevant, interesting reading here, all of which is aimed at helping artists to become better business people . From creativity to marketing, and website design there is a wealth of substantive content to add to your journey as a working professional artist. Reading an article here has become part of my morning ritual to get started on my day painting. It is a reminder of the professionalism needed to become a successful working artist. This is a must. Enjoy reading.
http://www.fineartviews.com/

A note of interest: The post on "Organization Overhaul" by Keith Bond is a significant read for almost every artist I know. Don't miss it.