PAPAYA! BLOG

True Living Project: Weekly Photo

by Sabrina Ward Harrison

 

In the Studio: Mini Paintings

 In the midst of making sage sweet potatoes, hot chocolate and entertaining I've been sneaking off to my new studio space to tinker away on some mini paintings.  This week I've worked on eight of them.  The balance between hand made originals and digital originals is crucial for our collection at PAPAYA and making time for the long hand versions can be tricky.  

 I find digital illustration to be exhilarating.  The results can often sneak up on me quickly and there is a wonderful alchemy that occurs through the use of digital tools.  A highly exiting art form.  But nothing can really replace the calming aspects of creating by hand.  These two images are just in the early stages and I'll be layering a lot of pen and collage over them.  Then I'll begin a digital process once I scan them.   I can't say I have a formula but I like to juggle the hand and digital work for what has become the signature style here at PAPAYA.  I'll update you with the final versions of these images as well as soon as they are finished...xoxoxo  

  
 

i.Anton's Photostream

Happy Monday! Just wanted to share with you the absolutely magical i.Anton photostream on Flickr.

 

 

 

The Creative Process: Working With the 5 Stages to Overcome Creative Resistance

If you have never read Anahata's article on creative productivity I am happy to share it with you today. Anahata's candid expression of the process is something I think about at those times when I feel like I "hit a wall".

THE CREATIVE PROCESS
by Anahata Katkin

I believe resistance is part of the natural creative expansion. Creative expansion is the juicy stuff artwork is made of. Some artists display a faster process and can work more fluidly. I believe this is due to how they react when they hit the edge of a creative expansion.

Artwork is made up of steps and mental landscapes. Like a good music soundtrack there are moods and different stages of fluidity and tone. Learning to navigate our creative process is about how our individual minds and emotions operate. The good news is it doesn't require any mental activity as much as a general awareness while working.

Stage 1: Bloom
When you're just damn inspired.
I generally have a BLOOM state where I can easily get engaged and enjoy the process immensely. I feel impulsive and guided to an extent and at this point my mind gets excited and interested in the project. It's a time of gathering, contemplating, enjoyment, and play. Materials come easily and there is a general well being about the prospect of the artwork. Try the best you can to stay with this segment as long as possible. I try and ride this wave in one sitting. When I begin a project I like to have enough time that I can stay in this groove if I have stayed inspired...otherwise...

Stage 2: Resistance
Then suddenly I hit a place where I have maximized that stage and I hit that RESISTANCE. Resistance will occur naturally in the first third of the project. Almost every time! Learn to expect it. Do not be surprised when you suddenly hit the edge of your honeymoon phase. It is REAL for everyone. The voice of reason is loud, convincing, and intense. It can show up in the form of boredom, disinterest, frustration,  tiredness, comparing, and exaggerated mental chatter about your artwork. Nor I have recognized the value and realize that I have to work in spite of that voice. It is crucial during the resistance phase that you keep on working! The more you pause and stop working the mere power and habit you establish with resistance. Most people stop right here and don't push further. This defines an artist from everybody else. Artists will work through this nagging stage and move into the sweetness of creating in time. They have learned to expect this irritating part and they trust that it's temporary. At this point try your best to observe the critic without reacting to it. Your critic will have some good ideas if you ask yourself questions like: What is it I don't like and what flashes into my mind as solutions?" That should be the extent of the power you offer your resistance. The resistance only signals that you have hit the edge of your creative breath. And when this happens it simply shows you that it is time for a new strategy or another creative inhalation. Solution of phase 2...

Step 3: PING PONG

...and that's when I like to ping pong between materials. Being that I am focusing on mixed media artwork and that is primarily how I like to create we have an added advantage. When I reach my resistance phase or in a scene a place of critical mass, I bounce to a new material and a new perspective. Drop your current medium and pick up a new one. Stop painting and start drawing on the same piece. Change colors. Use your hands instead of a brush. Do something unpredictable to get the energy moving again. The trick seems to be move even more quickly and implosively at this point.  Remember your critic will be trying to grow by using your impulsive instincts you will learn to tame the critic faster. With “ping ponging” you can gain a real momentum in the artwork and trick your brain into a new place. You can get your mind to come along for the ride by doing this rather than letting your mind dominate what you’re up to. Change your focus from the main image perhaps to the broader. Lay down some charcoal in border areas, switch to fine pointed pen details or doodling for a little bit. Anything that will hone your intuitive creative eye and switch your perspective. Practice step two and step three EVERY TIME you create anything. It is a lifelong skill that will serve your creativity every time.

Stage 4: Full Expression
My high school art teacher told me once that the moments when you return to a piece of artwork after a period of struggle are the most supreme moments in the creative process. I have never forgotten that and it has been a great discovery every day. During the resistance part of your process I believe it creates a kind of artistic vacuum. A puddle of skill and life force builds up behind all of that resistance- because while you are resisting you are also asking from within yourself to be able to express yourself. And once the resistance is released all of that good stuff comes shooting in with a rocket of ability and artistic expression. And this place generally feels good and easy. Music sounds sweeter, the project seems to be coming together. Your body is able to move along with the brush. It’s the cream of the process and it’s what we all look for as artists.

Stage 5: Completion
I often find that I might experience the first couple of stages again before I am ready for completion. Depending on the scope of the project this can happen many times. But at some point there will be a refining, a detail time. I find at this point I have a pen dialogue between myself and the artwork. I understand the piece more and the direction of it. I work on the details of colors and patterns, pen designs and finishing touches. I generally know I am there by the slowing down quality. The desire to fuss over it like a Christmas tree and fresh tinsel. I keep wanting to go see the piece through fresh eyes. That’s when I know it’s finished.

- Anahata Katkin 2006

The Papaya Design Studio

The creative team has been working their magic experimenting with different display ideas this week for upcoming tradeshows.

I snapped a few photos this afternoon. Here's a peek...

True Living Project: Weekly Photo

_{(Photo by Sabrina Ward Harrison- Creator of the True Living Project at PAPAYA!)}

       

          I do not know which to prefer,

          The beauty of inflections

          Or the beauty of innuendoes,

          The blackbird whistling

          Or just after.

          Wallace Stevens

Papayariffic Challenge - An International Entry

Just got this in the mail today....

Even though it was impossible, due to shipping times to include international readers in the challenge, we did get one submission so far... and it's definitely worth seeing...

Click on the image to see it in full resolution...

Fall in Southern Oregon

Last week I took a field trip out of the office to take pictures for a post on our new Totes. It was really enjoying to take the time and just notice the amazing contrast in all of the color pallets of fall.

I love the muted and subtle colors that say winter is on the way, time to dig out your scarves and mittens.

And then POW!!! This atomic reddish pink concoction jumps out and smacks you in the face. Such vibrant color in a natural environment is truly inspirational.

I was mesmerized by the lively contrast that reminds me that just because its getting cold, I need to get outside and experience life.

Fall in southern Oregon offers a inspiring spectrum of color and contrast. It was so enjoyable for me to take a moment and notice. Hmmm, makes we wonder what else I could see if I just took the time to look.

Home Again...

Doing art pieces has been my first love.  But I'd say I've had a love affair with interiors since I was a child. To me the idea of home and the interest in personal spaces goes hand in hand with an artists perspective.  

My home is always a mix of West Coast artist originals, folk art and traditional textiles from all over the world and a few of my own pieces.  I can't resist modern goodies, foreign relics, and good old bohemian flair.  I've tried to limit my palette at times but have since given in to my cornucopia of interests and visual loves.

This is a new home for me.  We just moved in last week and I'm enjoying having such a deep, historical house to play with.  It feels good to have a sturdy home after my year in Belize.  I've transplanted many of my paintings from the island and given them a place within the moody, Northwest bungalow.   

  You can be sure I'll be tinkering away on new PAPAYA! designs from my office wearing pajamas and sliding around in my socks!  How does your inner perspective and love of Earthly goods translate in your home?  

Creative Challenge Submissions

I loved all the submissions from the Creative Challenge. It seemed like most of the contestants were already sending gifts, and the Challenge was just a way to have a couple new "tools" for the job. All of the submissions were beautiful and the stories behind them were equally as sweet. Thanks to everyone who spent the time creating videos and snapping pictures of the process so we could see your finished products. Congrats to the winner of the contest! She chose the Victorian Bird Luxe Tote. 

Here's a couple of the entries:

"I wrapped the journal using the blue lotus paper, I couldn't let the purple tissue go to waste so I made two stripes down the sides. I also didn't want to waste the other parts of the paper so I cut out the lotuses and taped them to the purple tissue. I used the green mountain paper to wrap the second gift and so I could use it as a base for the final product. Next, I connected both of the presents. The final step was taping the letters to the present to spell out friend!" (Below)

"My sister and I share a love of music. She recently moved twelve hours away and I decided that I wanted to send her a few mix CDs so that I could share with her some of my favorite new songs even though we are miles apart."

"I have a close friend who will be moving overseas in the next few months and I wanted to put something together for her so that she still feels connected to me even though we'll be living so far apart. So, Yay! for the Papaya! Creative Challenge! You shipped me just the right things to make a beautiful keepsake box for Lisa."
"The style for this package was inspired by an Indonesian head piece I saw for one of the Amazing Race episodes...a lady was wearing a red/burgundy flower with golden leaves. I thought it would be perfect for the paper, but did have a lot of trouble finding the right flowers to use because this is not the season for such colours.""This was perfect timing. In November my Mom, my Sister and my Niece are visiting for the second annual Craftapalooza Extravaganza. I thought what a nicer way to say welcome than with some goodie bags filled with artsy treats. Why not make the gifts AND the gift bags with your beautiful Papaya! paper, stickers and gift tags!"

"my best friend, Celine Marie, book-binding princess! I've only bound a few books, so this gave me the opportunity to learn some new simple techniques and buy some new tools, and free my brain from research! Thanks to youtube and printmaking students at the Louisiana Book Festival (specifically at the kids booth!).. I've learned a simple way to make sweet, little journals for my loved ones. "

I enjoyed using the Papayariffic treats to put together a thoughtful package for my best bud. Here is a link to a my recent blog post on friendship journals - http://bit.ly/4tSyJW
"I send a lot of gifts through the mail and prefer to make them light so they can be sent as inexpensively as possible so I often use envelopes made of paper or fabric for packaging. Of course, I want my envelopes to be pretty and unique and since I love the look of stitching on paper, I often simply fold up a piece of painted paper and sew right up the sides for an easy CD case or gift pocket. This time I decided to go all out and make a patchwork of patterns from the Papaya wrapping paper and my own spray painted paper to make it extra special and funky"