To Wreck A Painting And Find It's Path

What does it mean to be willing to wreck a piece you love to find the brilliance you stopped short of? A few years ago I painted the piece below as part of a sister/brother pair called "The Sentient Twins," and I LOVED them. They are part of the children's book I am ever so slowly percolating forward and at the time, I felt I would never change them. I loved their connection to Colonial portraiture and the odd proportions they had, as well as the push of contrast. 

 Over the course of a couple of years, this piece began to give me a creative itch. I couldn't put my finger on it but something about him just didn't rest well and when that happens in my creative heart I always trust it. The time frame was key though, letting him rest, spending time with him, allowing him to share his story with me. It was clear it was unfinished. After my trip to Italy, I returned to the studio with completely different lenses, and a deep love of gelato :) As soon as I saw him I knew it was time to let him go. Below are a few steps in that visual process of wrecking and reclaiming.

I actually loved this stage, but still....not ready.

Working on the gaze and beginning the initial back lighting.

Her ghostly face captivated me, but at this stage I knew her story and it called for warmth.

Oh the look....right?

The warmth, she called for it, she resonated full of life. 

Here is the before and after, all along I believe she was there.

"She Found Her Muse On The Isle of Skye" 

This piece is complete. She holds tremendous presence for me in her creative narrative not only from her expression but also from her dress and the energy of her spirit. I couldn't be more happy with the outcome as is the new owner. I have this saying when I teach, "Never marry your base coat." Although this piece was well beyond base coat, it just visually connected to me as not evolving as it was called for. I listen when my heart shares that. 

For some of my new works heading forward I am offering a signed, limited edition print run of 25 on Epson Hot Press Bright Giclees with pure pigment, archival inks. They are gorgeous, ship for free, and I have a few left at $140. 

 

LOOKING AHEAD! 

A huge week ahead for me is filled with exciting changes and workshops. This week the Grand Opening of Sophiella Gallery takes place here in Mobile. They will be representing my figurative works and I am beyond thrilled to be represented by them. Stay tuned for details on that! 

I also head to Donna Downey's Studio this week to teach my studio workshop with an emphasis on Distortion. It is my last workshop of the year and is sure to by one of my faves as her studio is always a joy to work in. 

I See I Imagine I Create 52 Creativity Curriculum Round 2

52 weeks ago I started a journey with 60 fellow Creatives that would change the course of my life, and many of theirs. It was an online experience that brought together artists from several disciplines, different countries, and humans with vast differences and belief systems. We shared one common goal: to learn to move through this world more creatively. This week our time together comes to a close but this I know, like I am breathing, the year mattered. It mattered so much that many of them are ready for Round 2, and that is exciting. 

I See, I Imagine, I Create 52 is a part weekly, online self-study class that gives students the understanding, tools, creative behaviors, and questioning strategies to learn to see the world with creative lenses and use that insight to serve them creatively. It helps writers alter their points of view, it helps photographers see a different perspective, and it helps painters/artists find their own, creative voice. In its simplest form, it helps humans slow down and appreciate this incredible place we call home. 

With a 300+ page manual filled with weekly challenges and a weekly meeting time in our secret classroom, the community aspect was key in helping Creatives thrive because accountability and connection is really important. It is also integral that the study span over time, because the consistency and time frame is what creates the long term impact to alter behaviors. 

My students grew in how they saw colors, lines, patterns, connections, and surfaces. Their grey cells were bent in regards to considering big ideas such a deconstruction and reconstruction, big to small concepts, worn, weathered, multiples, and the weird. They considered the elements of character traits from the personal to the imaginative, and how birds could be messengers even wearing high heels. :) 

Not only did they learn to see and notice the nuances of a deeply creative world, they learned how to apply those concepts to the creative products they were working on. We wrestled with personal and technical frameworks, moving from the literal to the figurative, and how thinking outside the space around the room where the box lives was more exciting than just thinking outside the box. 

Come July 3rd we start Year 2 of our online study with a few major changes, which are really exciting. 

Rather than 52 straight weeks of study, we are breaking down our challenges into 6, 5 week study modules with a two week break in between each one. There will also be two, 3-week bonus modules between the first half of the year and the second half. This course is packed with information (did I say it comes with a 300+ page manual :) , and one thing we found was the need to slow down a bit and give ourselves more time to savor what we learned. 

There will be 10 video components with this study, two for each 5 week module. I am also offering an opportunity to enroll in the *Advanced Option to meet with me twice per module, in one hour, small group video sessions. 

Our secret classroom will remain, which is a safe, trusting environment to share our steps, thoughts, ideas, and personal journey throughout the year. Most weeks we will meet bi-weekly through a thread chat to discuss the challenge and how we are processing it. We will also have a few student guides from year one who facilitate some discussions as well. Although designed as a self-study course, I invest a great deal of time through our weekly chats teaching and following the engagement during the challenges. It makes for an in depth discussion most weeks!

Every human is creative, the key is remembering how to remain creative and grow that creativity over time. I Create 52 is a course developed to actually teach CREATIVE BEHAVIORS that help your creativity grow and evolve. If you are longing to learn concrete strategies and practices to help you grow creatively, The I Create 52 curriculum might just be for you! 



Student Testimonies - 

"My goal for this class was to learn to live a creative live in the broadest possible sense. I wrote, painted, collaged, and grew a whole new set of eyes, with the loving support of Ardith and her community of fellow creatives." Amy Diebaren

"This class has been a joy: a safe, supportive, and encouraging space. By learning the foundations of creative thinking, I have discovered the freedom to see, think, and create differently and courageously. Through this class, I have found my voice as a creative." Liz Dotterer

"I see I imagine I create' has had a substantial impact on my 

capacity and manner to process 'external' subjects stimuli 

into my creative process. It's been like tasting and enjoying a 

different piece of chocolate each week, and deciding to 

do something beyond gluttony with it. On a different 

dimension I have experimented it as an individual and

collective act of creative weaving, which has been deeply 

rewarding to me. Cecilia Luvecce Rouvrais.

This is the most amazing course. I have learned more than I could have imagined……about everything to do with creativity and particularly about ways of seeing the world with new eyes. Ardith is a generous, knowledgeable and wise teacher. I “met” so many nice people….the group part of this really worked for me. I am still digesting the lessons….the pace is brisk….so much in one year. My confidence has soared and my abilities have improved. Five star in every way….and awesome value for money.Fiona Knox


Class Details and Registration - 

We will meet Sunday evenings at 4 pm central (chosen so that international students can join us) for our weekly discussions in our classroom on Facebook. (class runs 45 min) We will will meet most Thursday evenings at 4 pm for our Mid-Week discussions. 

You will receive the challenges each week in Word and PDF form. Your Ebook will total more than 300 pages at the end of the year! 

You will receive 10 video components during the year long study, two each five week module.

You will have access to our Secret Creative Community on FB. 

If you have questions as to whether this class is the right fit for you message me at ardithgoodwin@gmail.com with questions! 

THIS CLASS IS FULL FOR 2016!

 

Wrapping The Summer

WHAT A SUMMER!!!!! 

I had ideas of what I hoped to accomplish this summer when the school year closed. 

I wanted to paint full time, I did. 

I wanted to teach workshops, I did.

I wanted to work toward building my solo show for November, I did. 

I wanted to travel and work with artists one on one, I did. 

I wanted to grow as an artist and a professional, I did. 

I wanted to be in a show at the Mobile Museum of Art, and I was!

I wanted to paint with magical young ones, and I did! 

And I wanted to spend time with family, new friends, and be present, and I did. 

I didn't achieve everything, but I came pretty close! 

This summer was hot as heck....there were days I thought I had lost my mind to be painting outside but I was determined to paint large and my only option was my outdoor studio, so I sucked it up and made the best of it. What that taught me was huge. Nature is important to my creativity, working hard adds a ton of confidence to my heart, and facing challenging circumstances builds character. 

I am deeply grateful to have had the time. 
















The paintings that I created were beyond what I had visioned. They were tied into my creative framework, totally connected to story, and really helped my heart understand that painting is my path and teaching is my path as well. I am proud of what I accomplished, beyond proud, and tomorrow I head back to the classroom to kick an amazing year off. 

Facing forward is important to me so I have chosen to let go of some social networking things such as groups and pages and engagements that I don't have time to engage in well. This was hard, I adore my connections, but when we choose to seek a path that requires commitment and passion, sometimes sacrifices are needed. I am up for that. 

Looking ahead you will see a lot more of me here. 

I want to share my struggles and joys of getting a solo show ready and launched.

I want to share with I learn as I grow through the occupation of being a full time painter and teacher. 

I want to keep sharing my love of art journaling, the techniques that keep me tapped in, and share some videos with you all about process and freedom. 

In essence, sharing with you here has moved up on my priority list, and that excites me. 

I am on a journey...one of beautiful marks, courageous impact, and a heart filled with the belief that if I work hard enough, apply myself, and dream a little I can achieve what I set out to. I am deeply grateful that you have chosen to take the journey with me. 

Stay tuned, I am just getting started :) 

Mixed Media Workshop at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center

May 18th is fast approaching and I am psyched to be teaching a mixed media workshop at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center. We will be painting papers, creating glorious textures, and then ripping them up to create a mixed media collage on canvas! Each student will leave with a pile of painted papers and a finished painting, similar to this Pelican or other coastal life theme. If you haven't gotten mom a Mother's Day gift, this class would be a great idea! 

YOU CAN REGISTER HERE!