The Three Questions

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10523574_10154416948040352_5482798350173074326_nNow that May is over and June is here the excitement of a new adventure grows. As I get ready for training for my new job as  part-time faculty at Quinnipiac University, I’ve been going over the textbook for the Inquiry Based Learning course I’ll be teaching A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger. It is a very interesting book which explores the habit of questioning. It presents three questions shaping the process of change and applicable to many areas of life. The three questions are:

  • Why?
  • What if?
  • How?

The first question “Why?” establishes conscience of the status quo and questions it. We get used to the status quo and continue living in it without taking time to ask ourselves “why are we doing this?” or “why are we doing this way?”. We can question the question itself. Without questioning the status quo we can’t perceive the possibilities of change and there is where the second question comes into place. “What if?” paints a picture of a desired scenario. “What if things were different?” “What if we could change what we have now to what we need?” We can think of opportunities for change with that question. Of course, we need a bridge between the current and the preferred scenario.

We can’t stop at dreaming of a different situation. It is necessary to move into action. Many won’t get pass the “What if?” but some will. “How?” is the process of connecting the “Why?” and the “What if?”. Here is where change happens. It is a process and it requires effort and hard work. That is why many don’t cross the bridge. Those who dare to cross the bridge achieve the realization of their dream.

June is here with new opportunities to question and start crossing the bridge. We get that opportunity each day. I want to invite you to give yourself a chance and try something different. Check out the sculpting and painting parties. It will help you disconnect to connect back and change your perspective on challenge and these parties are a lot of fun too. I want to invite you to also join the conversation Wednesday, June 3 for a live chat broadcast of the Creative Chat Cafe. You might find something inspiring and motivating to make your way across the bridge.

Studio Time Without Studio Space

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Many people hate Monday. I like Monday. Monday is my studio day, or at least it used to be. Technically it still is but certain things changed since we moved. I no longer have a dedicated studio space. The studio space was that corner in which I could work on my art without restrictions and where people came to take private lessons. It was also my space to think, plan, and generate ideas for current and future work. Not having that space sounds like a terrible loss, but it is not. I can have studio time without studio space.

Discipline and practice is not limited to a physical space but to the actions required to maintain the habits to continue creating and improving technique. Yes, the space is necessary to expand those creative moments, teach, keep supplies, and being able to come back to the work at any time. I feel like I’m taking a sabbatical from sculpting and painting. Nonetheless, I keep myself busy drawing everyday, and I am doing the painting and sculpting parties more frequently too. Now that I am writing again that also keeps my mind busy and gives me the chance to meditate and articulate ideas and my mental process. I’ll be teaching a computer class soon as well. Beginning next school semester I’ll be teaching in a university too. With all of these things happening at once I have to consider the world my studio.

I don’t think there is a need to limit myself to the physical studio space to dance with muses and get ready for what comes next. I don’t want to have a studio space as I had before. I want something else for which I’m getting ready. As the weather gets warmer I will be painting outside more, and who knows, maybe I’ll be sculpting again soon. That I can do while I wait to understand God’s will regarding studio space where I can display my art, work, and teach. Until then I enjoy studio time every day. Everything will come to pass in due time. There are so many things to look forward to this year.

Read also Studio Time: Work on Something or Nothing & The Discipline in The Discipline

Working on the Book

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After thinking for a while about it, and as part of the 100 post celebration a few days ago, I decided to take a look back at all the postings and how they can be put together to shape the book I want to publish. That is the main goal of this blog, to write the things that come to mind in order to write a book little by little. Better yet, writing pieces of the book. It is a big puzzle. Interestingly, the current posts were more than enough to put it all together. I am not looking to publish a 300-500 page book; not yet. Let’s build up to that with a smaller goal.

It is so exciting to be working on the book. It is taking form. I finished last night with the core content. The rough first draft is ready for me to read it and clean it up and make several revisions before I can send it to a few people for their revisions. I still have to cast the pieces of the new collection this book presents, and take pictures. The pieces will come together to create the graphic art work and select the pictures that would be included. It is going to be a long process but at least the most difficult part is done. 

Someone told me years ago that I would be writing books. A short 100 page book is a very good start. I am really enjoying the blog and how it keeps my brain working actively every day. I like how it is enhancing an awareness of my thoughts. I am also more aware of my creative process. Nevertheless, the writing exercise is also helping me to listen more and observe more. A lot of inspiration and ideas are accumulating in the process but for now I am going to concentrate on my goal. I truly appreciate that you are reading this. I appreciate the comments as well. It is very encouraging when people make comments here and the messages I receive. Thank you for that.

Pursuing Inspiration

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The ancient Greeks saw inspiration as goddesses that visited humans and moved them to create based on the specific muse. It was not only about art but as a form to express human experience and knowledge including science. There was no differentiation in terms of intellectual value between art and science. Science is and art, and art is a science. For both a constant exploration is necessary to discover new things, to enter into a new revelation that can change preconceived ideas. Interestingly in art, as it happens with science people don’t necessarily agree on the results. That is a subject worthy of exploration in the near future. For now I want to focus on the visitation of the muses and those mental blocks we artists experience.

It is not a rare that artists sometime experience a lack of inspiration. Feels like ideas don’t come or simply can’t find how to get in ‘the zone’. I believe that’s the best time for pursuing inspiration instead of just waiting for it to come. It is the best time to study your craft, understand and evaluate your technique, experiment with materials, plan for the future, and prepare yourself. That is part of developing discipline. We should work at our craft even when we are not working at it.

Read previous posts about these subjects:

The Discipline in The Discipline
Studio Time: Work on Something or Nothing
Experimentation and Discovery

I get a brain cramps when an artist says that there is no technique to work on or that ‘studying’ what they do is not necessary. What chef doesn’t want to try new spices? What dancer doesn’t want to learn new moves? Your passion guides your efforts to become better at what you do. Your passion also guides your interest in learning more about what you do. As I said several times before it has nothing to do with ‘formal institutional education’. There are libraries and there is the internet. Leonardo da Vinci was autodidact. No excuses are valid.

One way to begin is to look at previous work and compare to more recent ones. This comparison allows to evaluate your progress, what changed, and what needs change or improvement. Looking at your own work is a platform for inspiration. Bring back those old sketchbooks. Experiment with old and new materials or simply play with them. Plan and prepare yourself for the future. Visualize how would you like your next exhibit to look. Walk around the exhibit in your mind and look at the pieces you would include in it. That could ignite new ideas. Draft your ideas. Doodle what could become your next masterpiece. Don’t wait for inspiration to get to you. Pursue it!

Resolutions and Goals

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Photo Nov 22, 10 38 29 PMIt is that time of the year! Many are figuring out their new year resolutions and goals.  The desire of making something different for a new year is very common. We know most of them are carrying on from previous years. We also know that desiring to do something is not enough. Resolutions are decisions or determinations to accomplish something. Action is required.

Goals on the other hand require a plan and commitment to achieve results. Goals require preparation and lots of work. Self-regulated individuals know all about being ready, taking action, and being committed to a plan. The results often reveal their efforts. The most important aspect of self-regulation is intentionality. Self-regulated individuals are not only capable of controlling their impulses but also do this intentionally. It is a decision followed by a plan. The plan is then followed by commitment and action. Achievement comes as a result.

Achieving a goal is not the only benefit. Cognitive psychology explains that reaching a goal also improves self-efficacy. Our perceptions to reach a goal transcend the domain in which we reached success but to other areas in our lives. A cycle of improving self-efficacy continues as goals are achieved. Cognitive psychology suggests therefore to set achievable short-term goals towards a larger goal. Which each step we feel closer to the finish line, more willing and stronger to continue.

This year set up your goals and make a plan. Remember to set realistic achievable goals and break down those goals into short-term goals. Be firm in your decision to accomplish your goals. Commit to your plan. Keep track of your progress and celebrate each accomplishment one short-term goal at a time. I wish you all the success for the new year.