The Gift of Sensitivity
Have you ever felt more sensitive than others? I notice this, especially when I’m with my non-artist friends. I’m more easily annoyed if music is too loud or the lighting too bright. As artists, we have a heightened sensitivity and awareness about everything and it can feel like a curse… It’s just overwhelming to feel so much! But this sensitivity is really a gift that brings forth possibilities in our life and in our art.
Let me share what I mean…
Leaning into your sensitivities awakens your intuition, leading you to meaningful experiences. Art-making is the process of cultivating our sensitivities. The more nuanced we become in our art, the more powerfully and sensitively the work communicates who we truly are. We can all tune in to this superpower.
How is this sensitivity superpower showing up in your work and your life? Let me know in the comments.
In this week’s Art2Life podcast I talk more about reframing our sensitivities as a good thing and not a problem. I hope you’ll join me.
Click here to subscribe to the podcast to hear all episodes.
Have a great Sunday!
Nicholas
PS Check out the Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group. Every day, artists from all over the world are creating amazing art, and you are invited!
The Benefits of Showing Your Work
This past week, I opened my new work at Julie Nester Gallery in Park City, Utah. Due to Omicron, winter storms in Utah, and the delays at the airports, I considered not attending. However, in the end, I went to the opening. I am so glad I did! Seeing the work out of my messy studio, hung in a clean, well-lit space, I could see how my work has evolved more clearly. The opening was, in a way, the completion of this most recent body of work in 2021.
I thought I would share a few of the key takeaways from this experience with you today.
Have a listen…
Pushing your visual language and yourself into unknown territory, be it with color, mediums, or ideas, is a key part of a new body of work. Having an intention for your work creates a certain pressure that can move your art forward. Having a non-moveable deadline can help. I used to worry that my new work would be too different and not like me, but that simply never is the case. Having an opening where you can see all the work together solidifies that truth. What also helps clarify is when others see and feel the changes – that’s exciting! Presenting your work in a show is a significant endeavor that gives back so much.
Do you have any plans to create a new body of work this year? Let us know in the comments!
Be sure to check out this Wednesday’s Art2Life podcast. I am talking to Dillon Froelich, an amazing artist who demonstrates how much variety and fun can be jammed into this thing called art-making.
Click here to subscribe to the Art2Life Podcast!
I hope this New Year is already going well for you!
Nicholas
PS Check out the Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group. Every day, artists from all over the world are creating amazing art, and you are invited!
How to Stay Motivated in Your Art Making
Staying motivated and energized, especially if you’re away from your studio this busy time of year, can be a challenge, but I have some ideas that can help.
Have a look here.
One is to be open to the possibility of change (for your work and life) in the new year by looking for clues in your recent work. For example, I recently completed a body of work for a show, and there’s one painting that grabs me. Something about it hints at what’s possible for my work in 2022, and that’s exciting and motivating!
Working differently can bring new energy and passion to your work, too. This could mean working smaller or using a sketchbook if you’re traveling, or out of the studio. Having materials on hand keeps creativity possible. I think of this as packing for the next journey into 2022. Staying energized is possible whenever and wherever you are.
How do you stay motivated in your work and life? Let me know in the comments.
The Art2Life Podcast, with guest artist Gary Ruddell coming out this Wednesday, relates to this idea of staying motivated. Gary is an accomplished artist who’s always possessed a boundless positive attitude. So I had to ask him how he keeps so motivated and energized. You’ll be surprised by not just his remarkable attitude but his work, too. I hope you’ll join me.
Click the link below to subscribe to the Art2Life Podcast to hear all episodes.
https://pod.link/1579122752
One last thing: Since I recorded this, we confirmed that Lyla did not get sick. We are very thankful and ready to enjoy the holidays!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Nicholas Wilton
PS Check out the Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group. Every day, artists from all over the world are creating amazing art, and you are invited!
Engage the Viewer from Afar and Up Close
I want to show you a cool idea to think about when making your art. It has to do with creating work that is engaging both at a distance and close up, and how to enhance these views by offering a different feeling with each.
Check this out…
When your work offers this combination of views — from a distance and close-up— it gives the viewer more ways to connect with the work. And when those two views express a clear difference in feeling, offering boldness and subtlety, the work is super exciting to experience.
Do you combine these two views in your own work? Let me know in the comments.
In this Wednesday’s Art2Life podcast I’m speaking with my artist friend John Henson. John’s work illustrates this idea of two views perfectly using only nails and wood. You’ll be blown away by the simplicity & explosiveness of his work depending on if you’re looking up-close or from a distance. And you’ll hear about his deeply personal connection to his medium of choice. I hope you’ll join me.
Click the link below to subscribe to the Art2Life Podcast to hear all episodes.
Hope you get to the studio today!
Nicholas
PS Check out the Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group. Every day, artists from all over the world are creating amazing art, and you are invited!
How to find your way in your Art and Life
In my early career as an illustrator, I was often asked to create art that didn’t interest me. It was so frustrating. Once in a while, I would get a project that excited me, and when that happened, I noticed that I was happier and the resulting art turned out way better. One of those projects was a book cover called, “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. The art I made for that book cover changed the course of my life.
Here is what happened.
The teaching in “The Four Agreements” helps us find our way in our life but also in our art. The agreements call on us to be more truthful, not to take things personally, assume less, and always strive to do our best. So this book project that fell into my life, had the perfect lessons for me to change my life and, in a very direct way, create Art2Life many years later. It was so synchronistic how this book came along, and I would make its cover at just the right time in my life.
I now see that when we involve ourselves in what truly matters to us, there is a strong likelihood that helpful synchronicities and opportunities often will present themselves to help us on our way. Not just in our art, but also in our life.
Have you noticed this kind of synchronicity in your life and art?
Let us know in the comments.
In this Wednesday’s podcast, I’ll take a deep dive into answering this crucial question: How do we find our way if we’re not even sure where we want to go? I call this “wayfinding,” and it relates to our art and our life. Often in finding one, we find the other. I hope you can listen while making your art this coming Wednesday. In the meantime, click the link below to subscribe to the podcast to check out some past episodes.
Have a great Sunday!
Nicholas
PS Check out the Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group. Every day, artists from all over the world are creating amazing art, and you are invited!
Going beyond excellent in your Art
I’ve recently finished making some new paintings for an upcoming show. Some are better than others, but overall, I am happy with them. I would say they are pretty good. Even so, I am always left wondering how I might go beyond just good. It seems that making excellent, good work is reasonably obtainable but entering a “genius” level of artmaking, with a higher level of expertise and brilliance is more challenging and rare.
But there are clues how…
This higher, genius-level is marked by continually imagining and moving towards what we love in our art and life. It is all about keeping passion, creativity, and joy alive in our life’s work.
Where do you find yourself in this genius zone?
Let us know in the comments.
If you are interested in how you might move into your genius zone with your art and life, join me this Wednesday on the Ar2Life podcast for a conversation with NY Times best-selling author Gay Hendricks, author of The Genius Zone. Gay works with high-level executives, performers, and creatives to help them move into their genius zone. I hope you can join me in this inspiring conversation.
Click the link below to subscribe to the podcast and to hear all of the episodes.
https://pod.link/1579122752
Nicholas
PS GIVING TUESDAY VIRTUAL CHARITY ART AUCTION OPENS TOMORROW! On November 29th-November 30th, we will auction off two collaborative paintings created last month at the Art2Life Workshops in Mallorca. Check out our Instagram and Facebook pages tomorrow at 9 am PST for more info on how to participate. All proceeds will then be donated to an art-related charity that the auction winners will select for Giving Tuesday.
Facebook: https://facebook.com/art2lifeworld/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art2life_world/
Going narrow instead of wide in your art
One can include so much in their art, but having too much can become a problem. It becomes difficult for the viewer to know what the art is about if it includes all things equally- lines, colors, shapes, textures. Showing everything ends up diluting them, and the impression is less memorable. Choosing what’s essential and narrowing your focus, brings potency to your work.
Let me show you what I mean.
When you work with less, there’s a purity of expression that’s more potent and more you. Because the clarity of your message is strong, the response is strong, and others can see you in your art more clearly and connect with your work on a deeper, more universal level.
How does this idea of going deep rather than wide relate to your work? Let me know in the comments.
This upcoming Wednesday’s Podcast episode is with Sonoma, California artist Adam Wolpert. Our conversation is all about this idea of singularity. Adam’s art goes deep, deep into the majestic oaks of Sonoma County. Trees have become his sole focus, and the result is powerful. So while you are making your art this week, come listen to this fantastic conversation. On Wednesday, too, I will be posting some of his art in the podcast section of the Art2Life website.
Click the link below to subscribe to the podcast to hear all episodes.
https://www.art2life.com/podcast/
Enjoy your Sunday!
Nicholas
PS: GIVING TUESDAY VIRTUAL ART AUCTION COMING NOV. 29-30TH!
Last month at the Art2Life Workshops in Mallorca, some special things happened that I can’t wait to share with you! Together with the workshop attendees, we created two collaborative paintings which we will be auctioning off next week via our Instagram and Facebook pages.
All proceeds will then be donated to an art-related charity that the winners of the auction will select for Giving Tuesday. Stay tuned for more info on how to participate this coming Monday, November 29th.
Art = Love
Art-making is easier when I’m feeling happy and connected to myself. I call this a flow state— creativity flows. But, of course, there are times when I lose that connection and question everything, and get stuck. One way I think about flow state is to remember that it all has to do with love. It actually is at the center of all that matters in your life and your art. Love connects us to ourselves and the world.
Let me explain.
When you create from within, you gain a deeper connection to yourself. When you share your art outside of yourself, it is an offering to the world. Others will sense your authenticity and be inspired to seek it in themselves. It’s an act of love and generosity that connects us all back to our center. This understanding always helps bring me back to me when things aren’t going well.
How is love connected to your Art?
Let us know in the comments.
This whole idea originated from a conversation I had with Lorraine Weiss. Lorraine is a spiritual teacher, a healer, an artist, and someone who has immeasurably helped me improve my approach to art and life.
This coming Wednesday, I’m sharing a conversation I had with her on the Art2Life Podcast -Episode 4.
If you’re making art and want something truly inspiring to listen to every Wednesday, please have a listen. I think you’ll love our conversation!
Click the link below to subscribe to the podcast; a few good episodes are already waiting for you.
Subscribe to the Art2Life Podcast.
Have a wonderful Sunday.
Nicholas
Strive to be an art amateur
When it comes to art-making, it’s best to stay an amateur! It seems counterintuitive since we tend to want to be masters of what we love to do. However, maintaining that beginner mindset — exploring, discovering, and following missteps- keeps the imagination engaged and curious in creative endeavors.
Let me show you what I mean…
Leaving behind what’s comfortable and embracing the unknown inspires learning and growth. A refreshing and freeing amateur mindset can only result in work that is stronger and more authentically you.
This topic came to me recently in a conversation I had with Austin Kleon. He is an inspiring writer, speaker, and artist. He also thrives and lives this mindset better than anyone I know.
Like so many conversations I have with other creatives, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
So I decided to create the Art2Life Podcast to share it!
My new podcast premieres this Wednesday! And every Wednesday after that, I will be releasing episodes containing inspiring stories and conversations all about the creative journey. We’ll be emailing you a one-time link this Wednesday for the inaugural episode. So get ready to be inspired!
Join me for this fantastic conversation by clicking the link below to join our email list. https://art2life.lpages.co/art2life-mailing-list-sign-up/ If you’re already on our email list, you’re all set to receive the link.
How do you stay creatively curious in your work?
Leave a comment below.
Have an awesome Sunday.
Nicholas
PS: We have a winner for the Tarot Deck created by Artist Alexandra Eldridge who was featured on the Vlog recently. Ellen McCormick Martens from our YouTube Channel – you are our lucky commenter! Please email us at [email protected] to claim them. Congratulations!
A life approach to make your best art
We all encounter hard patches in life. Recently, I hit one. The silver lining to difficulty is that it usually comes with a learning opportunity. For me, this was the reminder that there are three approaches we can adopt when faced with challenges in our life. I discovered that some work better than others.
Here is what recently happened to me.
I am most interested in the “life happens through me” approach because it relates to art-making. I believe adopting this perspective allows us to create our best art. By following what feels less difficult and trusting the decisions emanating from us instead of forcing things, our art comes more easily. It also is often more potent and more like us. This approach is most closely related to the fabulous, creative state of Flow.
What have you found is the best way to react to challenges in your art-making?
Let us know in the comments.
Have a great Sunday!
Nicholas
PS Check out the Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group. Every day, artists from all over the world are creating amazing art, and you are invited!
