It's that time of the month again - Art Attack time. March 20 is a seasonal equinox. Spring for northern hemisphere and autumn for the south. So with that in mind, here is your prompt:
let nature be your museTake a wander outside and see what natural elements catch your eye. Pick one to focus on. Is it warm and smooth, cold and prickly, ugly or lovely. Does it evoke any memories for you? Let your imagination wander where it will. Create something in response. Sketch, paint, photograph, sculpt, knit, cook, whatever your creative "thing" is.
Remember: Don't think too much, just work intuitively and quickly. Name your creation, and if you would like to, post it on your blog and share the story. Then drop a comment here to say you've just had an art attack. As always, it's not so much about the end result. I hope by my examples you can see that! It's more about the process and what you experience in that.
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My response:
It's Autumn here in the land downunder. My favourite time of year. Warm, still, sunny days and pleasantly cool nights. Today is superb outside. So I took the dog for a walk. No big deal you might think. But for me it was. Last week I managed to herniate a disc in my spine which has led to extreme hip and leg pain. I've been housebound doing the slipper shuffle for too many days.
While walking this morning, I came across a fallen branch from a
Banksia tree. As a child I was enthralled by May Gibb's stories of
the gumnut babies Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. This talented artist/writer created mythical creatures inspired by the Australian bush. I loved the gumnut babies, but the
big bad banksia men were in many a childhood nightmare.
On seeing the fallen branch covered in banksia cones, a thought flitted through my mind.
"Revenge on the banksia men!" I gathered some up and carried them back to the studio. Pouring some paint into trays, I used the banksia cones - bristles, woody follicle lips, and serrated leaves - to paint marks onto paper. Now there's proof for all the aussie kids who also had nightmares about the banksia men. Revenge has been had! Sweet dreams.
Revenge on the Banksia Men, by Kel © 2009
See it's nothing special in terms of 'art'. But boy was that fun. And do you know the best thing? For one whole hour, I totally forgot about my back pain. And that's a worthwhile outcome for me.
. . . if painting or drawing is not your thing, create something else entirely. Not into drawing or paint? Veggie garden? Why not grab a couple of whatever is ripe now and invent a dish that includes both ingredients. Odd balls of leftover wool? How about knitting - something inspired by your nature walk. Not into cooking or craft? Collect some bits and pieces on your walk - twigs, leaves, sand, - then form them into a 'found objects' assemblage in your backyard.Go on. Have a go. I know you really want to!
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Norm's art attack captures textural timber.
Robin's art attack involves crocuses and jellybeans!
