“What it the optimal size of a creative brainstorming group?
Answer: ONE.”
Eric Barker referring to the book “QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”, by Susan Cain.

Emails flooded my inbox after Shyness Painting Outdoors was published.
A few suggested I read “Quiet”.
It seems introversion is as popular subject as painting Plein Air.

Surprisingly, the text filled with enlightening research, and the key to maximizing talents for both extroverts & introverts.
You may not be introverted, but you may live with, parent, teach or work with one.
Susan discusses options to work & live more productively & cohesively.
She suggests introverts make great leaders, like Gandhi and Rosa Parks.

One chapter covers a psychological study proving a streak of introversion is a crucial ingredient to creativity.
NEW 14×18 oil ‘finger’ painting

But BIG personality is in demand, even in the world of art.
“The 20th century is the culture of personality,” Susan says in her TED talk.
“It’s all about branding, displaying personality, in the media/ social networks”, an industry rep suggested to me.
During a presentation last month “Art as an Investment” the appraiser said as much. In the US particularly, artists with ‘Big personalities”, can, at times, attract more sales, with higher market prices, even if their work is substandard, she said. “It’s sad, but true”.

This personality bias hosts a challenge for the introverted artist trying to make a living.
In this drama hungry age, where sharing may be a social media term not an act, is understated enough?
In art, do people seek substance, or story? Perhaps both?

Creative folk are often misunderstood in their introversion.
Exhibition jitters inferred as lack of confidence.
Reluctance to teach, a sign of reluctance to share.
The soft- spoken considered meek, lacking authority.

I know soft-spoken people whose words resonate strength.
I have stood in the quiet presence of brilliant artists considered reclusive, and felt their power.

Exhibition nausea continues to hinder me, but I wouldn’t be present if I lacked confidence in the work, with a deep belief in what I have to share.
Personality is boldly in the work, where it counts.
This is where the drama unfolds, in the swirling of colour and dance of light.
NEW 8×10 palette knife, fingers and brush oil.

Thou Susan admits many personalities cannot be defined in one group or another, with influences of culture diversity, nurture, behaviors, a better balance between introverts and extroverts is important to productivity and creativity.

I think it’s about mutual respect.
Everyone yearns to be understood, to be valued.
Speak with sincerity.
Listen intently, without judgment. We all have something offer and share.
Respect goes beyond personality, uniting humanity.
Together, rich with diversity, we can do great things and create a better world.

FallBrook Trail 18×24 Oil

All work is available for sale. If you know someone who might enjoy this post & new work, please feel free to pass it along.

Attending an art opening in Toronto, I stood in a quiet corner chatting with the prominent painter.
Customers milled about, red dots marking sales flourished by his paintings.
After I remarked on his incredible work, he bent his head toward me.
“It’s the JD.”
JD?
“Nothing like a few belts for inspiration, right Dawn?”
UMmmmm….
He continued with fired enthusiasm, I now wondered from the red dot flurry or something else.
“You know the fearful moment, staring at a blank canvas? AC/DC & whiskey solves that. Right?” ribbing me gently in some sort of artist to artist code.
Thankfully a customer interrupted before I could respond.

His comment might seem typical, but artists are as varied in their ‘inspiration’ as they are in work.
“Daily Rituals:How Artists Work” by Mason Currey,details rituals of inspired famous artists, musicians, writers and scientists.
The book entails some surprising facts.
Some apply healthy habits, others, not so much. Most were/are workaholics.
“The two things, life style and work, have become one. Now if that’s eccentricity, then I’m eccentric.” Glenn Gould.
Pattern was a big part of their process. Georgia O’Keefe took long walks as part of her daily routine.
NEW Crystal 18 x 24 Oil

How artists go about seeking inspiration, or the work they produce, is a matter of choice.
Mountains of material exist on writer’s habits, because “they wrote about it” less exists on painters, Robert Genn suggests in his May 2013 letter “Daily Studio Rituals”. Genn offers insight on a few artists habits, including his own, of “living a quiet-well regulated life. ‘Spending a day trying to make the cup froth over”.
NEW 12×24 Oil

As for me, I prefer tea to JD, after a healthy dose of fresh air.
Walking into the studio, whether bathed in light or darkness, warmth of sanctuary resonates, and I begin.
“Whatever you can do or dream you can: begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” Goethe

Author David Epstein debates the 10,000 hour rule in his book The Sports Gene.
He says in a recent CBC interview the study was based on 30 violinists who were already brilliant at what they do.
It would be like taking NBA centers and saying they are who they are because of practice, “obscuring individual differences.” He also believes a person has a group of traits( sweep of genes) rather than one gene that defines talent.

A myth (with exercise genetics) he says, was defining talent as something that sort of “fell out of the sky”.
“Your genetic setup allows you to profit from training more rapidly than then the next guy” in other words, trainability is the most important kind of talent.”
He mentions elites have a specific kind of ‘perceptual skill’ assisting them to excel.

The 10,000 hour study was discussed in Scientific American MIND by Jennifer E. Drake and Ellen Winner,“Predicting Artistic Brilliance”. Is artistic brilliance something people are born with? Researchers discovered artistic children had strong observational skills, a deeper interest, and worked the hardest developing their skills.”

Arrian, classified as artistically gifted is discussed in the article. Thou at the age of three he wasn’t ahead of other children in representational skill, he was advanced in intensity, focus, and meticulous care. Many little ones will sit and draw a face, a circle with eyes, but Arrian went on to draw 400 smiling faces, in one sitting.
This kind of “Rage to Master”cannot be taught.” The article closes stating’ studies of children gifted not only in art, but in math, science, languages, chess and athletics “, “what predicts high achievement is the lucky combination of an ease of learning, an obsessive focus, and a deep motivation to pursue an activity”.

Epstein, Drake & Winner each mention observational skills as an important key.

In creative individuals, a unique cognitive function ~ a genetic variation increasing cognitive disinhibition is present, states the Scientific American article.
“ When unfiltered information reaches conscious awareness in the brains of people who are highly intelligent and can process this information without being overwhelmed it may lead to exceptional insights”.

Yet, there are performances that outshine others in an individual’s career. Regardless of athletic training programs mimicked with perfect conditions, the golden pro can fail to achieve what is expected. The experienced veteran artist has flops. When professional athletes or artists are questioned what went wrong in a poor performance, answers are often similar “I didn’t have it today”. “It” being a relative intangible.

Admiring an athlete, musician or painter, perhaps the point isn’t to identify the exact source of their talent. Conceivably it is enough to admire their remarkable work. Aside from research, talent still holds mystery, awe, and a little magic.

“So much of what we do as artists is a combination of personal experience and imagination, and how that all creeps into your work is not so linear.“~
Diana Krall
* The Sports Gene by David Epstein 2013
*Scientific American MIND issue “The Mad Science of Creativity” winter 2014

My brother appeared at my door, arms filled with a selection mixed tapes he had painstakingly created.

It was the mid 80’s and I was on my own for the first time.
His arrival gift, an eclectic compilation of music especially for me.
Among Latin acoustic guitar, was ZZ top, Gregorian Chant, Tom Cochran, Fresh Air, Liona Boyd and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

My brother’s appreciation for music is enormous, encompassing many genres.
Darin, like my father, is a musician.

He wrote & performed the original score to my Boreal videos. Something extra special happens in the studio painting when it appears on my playlist.
A few weeks ago he gave me his ipod shuffle.
Reminded of those mixed tapes, he is still kindly sharing music with me.
The musical thread includes his son, Nicolas,who writes and performs his own original work.

Music’s power can be transforming. It can soothe, energize and inspire us. It can even make vacuuming fun.

I have trained myself to paint in chaos, or in the solitude of midnight, but to have music is a sweet joy.
NEW LIGHT 3ft x 4ft Original Oil

Trepidation after a long absence from my urban studio, two solutions came to mind for renewal. First, a challenge: painting on new material-burlap wrapped boards. Second, I asked my nephew, Nicolas for music ideas. He was happy to oblige with fresh melodies and wise words.
New Oil on burlap board 8×10

Tunes floating in the studio including Mom’s favourites, Dad,brother and nephew performing with their recommendations~ colours dance, textures transpire, inspiration soars. In a way, the work is a family affair, with love at the core.
New Oil on board 9×12
” After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music” Alex Huxley

Why art?

We are all born imaginative with desire to create.
What kept me interested was passion and curiosity,
I never lost those.

Baby 2013 charcoal

When did you know you wanted to be a (career) artist?

There isn’t a defining moment.
We think these clarifications arrive in dramatic epiphanies – in reality it is a trickling, a creek that builds to the strength of a river- fed by passion and hard work.
At one point you realize you have a responsibility to share the work, to pursue it at a greater, more focused level.

People believe some are born with natural abilities, it comes easier to them than others. I don’t entirely agree.

I think natural genius is extremely rare-
What I have discovered is some are born with a passion and they work at it relentlessly. They are driven with unquenchable thirst to improve. That’s me.

Why landscape impressionism?
Nature is universal. I want people to feel joy in the work. I love the connectivity of landscape.
Oceans or mountains, forests or meadows, nature is the most popular visual when people are seeking solace in their minds or otherwise.

I don’t wish for my legacy in paint to be anger, suffering & fear. Too much exists in the world as it is.

A way to find love in the work during difficult times is to be of service.
The new work has brought my Mom joy in the hospital. An extra incentive to pick up the brush on days I struggle to. Mom has devoted her life being of service to others.

Simutaneously, I have been working on a 5 foot commission at my parents home.

5ft x2.5 Original Oil

Despite busy work as a conservation officer & family life, my Dad has been faithful to his passion for music and pleasing others with it.
At 81, he still practices daily, playing with his band at nursing homes, or gatherings. A passion my brother and nephew share with him.

Thou my Mom’s illness is on his heart and mind, he braved the bitter prairie cold to play at a local event today. Departing he said, “ They look forward to it you know”.

Recently references to them swirl,” caring, responsible, loyal,& amazing.”.
I can only hope my legacy may be the sort of kindness my parents have exhibited their whole lives.
The work ethic my Dad dedicates to his music.
The realm of contribution my Mom has given to others.
Will my legacy be in paint, or of service?
I hope it will be both.
Thanks Mom & Dad, for your support & showing me the path of such great love.

I might have stumbled into a horror film.
Double- checking the sign on the door, “ Painting 101- U of S.”
No mention of movie sets.
I gazed at an ocean of tattoos, multiple piercings and assessing eyes, most dressed in head to toe black.
Little house on the prairie ( me) meets Goth. Oh oh.
Dropping the class after first semester, I left the wake of mysterious smoke and frightening classmates, behind.

I didn’t find community at U of S, but I did with Ida who I cleaned for on weekends. A classified ad brought into my life two incredible women who left their footprints on my heart. They encouraged me to pursue art. I did my best to convince them it wasn’t the life for me.

Ida lived thru the war, buried two husbands. She managed to live independently until I met her, at 88, when her sight had begun to fail.
When Ida interviewed me from her hospital room, dressed in a little blue cardigan, her trustee suggested I was to young. ”she’s only 18,”
Ida thought differently. We became friends, an unlikely three some. Ida, Lenore, her 70 year old weekly caregiver, and I.

I noticed the art immediately.
Entering Ida’s apartment, it was hard not to. Her walls were filled with airy landscape water colours, drawings and collages.
Mustering the courage to inquire about them, she answered quietly,” oh, my son did those, he is an artist. He lives in Spain now’.
I was transfixed, not just in the execution of the pieces, but in the variety, the scope of genres and mediums. The stunning beauty.

I asked my Prof about him . “He is famous, word is that his Mother still lives here, but no one knows for sure”.

Ida gave me the honour reading Stephen’s letters aloud over tea. Stories steeped in colour, typed on tissue thin paper carrying the scent of faraway places.
I wrote Ida’s dictated loving replies.
So began my relationship with Stephen Andrews, one of Canada’s most known and reclusive artists.

Ironic, an art student – drop out, in contact with an Artist my Professor had only read about, who’s work hangs in the National gallery of Canada and the Smithsonian.

Stephen Andrews National Gallery of Canada

When Ida passed, I wrote Stephen stories of her, how I would miss my close friend. I received a grateful reply. He too, had heard stories of me, ‘his Mother’s youngest dear friend.’
We corresponded for years. He sent photos of his mountain studio, garden and himself. We met in person on his return to Saskatoon, delivering a painting to the hospital who cared for his Mom.

He was so reclusive, at a Vancouver show, an imposter introduced himself as Stephen. No one, including the gallery owner had ever met him. I signed the guest book from the owner’s private office, writing “I thought you would be here. Sorry I missed you.”
He called later from Spain to apologize, he never attended openings, and wondered what was the gallery like?

I was planning to visit him in Spain when he became ill. We stayed in touch until he passed in 1995. I cherish his gift, an autographed book, published on his 70th birthday. I finger the tissue thin paper of his typed letters, imagining the scent of a far away mountain studio.
He told me pursing art could be a good life, it had been for him. His latest work, collages of parchment & stamps came from a secret wish to be a garbage man.”It gives me pleasure,” he said,” to give value to that which has no value”.

I have never taken another art class since that year at U of S, but I am blessed to know great mentors. I have been moved by the likes of Stephen Andrews, Mina Forsyth, Robert Genn, Julia Hargreaves, Al Pace, Gary & Joanie McGuffin.
Diverse, their work, awe inspiring as the role models they are. What makes the great artists great?
If you ask me, they share these traits: passion, work ethic, humour, ego-less confidence, and purpose beyond self.

Art can be a good life. I hope somehow, somewhere, Ida, Lenore and Stephen know I live the good life, partly in thanks, to them.