Transforming Uncertainty into Artistic Clarity: An Experiment
Sally Jane Brown (formerly Deskins)
Strategic Art Curator and Visionary Arts Leader ? Pioneering Creator of Accessible, Multi-disciplinary Virtual and In-Person Artistic Showcases ? Award-winning Artist and Published Writer
An enormous roll of blank canvas has been haunting me in the corner of my domestic art studio for over a year (a gift from a dear friend; as I wouldn’t purchase it myself), serving as an ominous reminder of my current moment of transition and uncertainty.
Usually, I’m in a flow of sorts–and well, I still am. Writing art reviews, drawing small works, curating for my day job, and mom to two teens.
Still, the behemoth taunts me, symbolizing all the uncertainty swirling around me–career shifts, looming empty nest syndrome, my next big artistic move.
So–in this series of blog posts–“Blank Canvasâ€â€“I’ve decided to confront it, devote time to define myself as I wrestle with this giant metaphor, and share my struggles and victories, changes also felt in my body as a 43-year-old woman. And with any luck, I'll conclude the year with an amazingly full canvas, or at least, an idea.?
For the next seven months, I’ll present two articles a month; the first, is an inside look at my thoughts and personal environment. The second, a dive into the artwork and art historical precedents around the topic.
And hey, I’m not in this alone. I want to hear from you! How do you tackle those moments when life hands you a blank canvas and says, 'Go on, make something of it'? Let’s swap strategies and inspire each other to find our clarity amidst the chaos!"
Senior Art Director
9 个月The canvas, it calls to us and patiently waits for us.
Customer Service
10 个月OMG I love this , great article! look forward to more!
Managing Director and Artist
10 个月Congratulations Sally Jane Brown (formerly Deskins) on doing this blog post on such an insightful topic and also for drawing the analogy between the art world and the business/personal. I totally hear you on the blank canvas idea. my suggestion is to get started; to break it up into bite-size pieces. in the case of a canvas instead of starting on a 4‘ x 6‘ painting I would say start with a 12“ x 12“ And just play with it? once you’ve tackled that -you will feel a sense of accomplishment, it need not be something that you post on social media or even exhibit. the point is about just getting started! once you’re in the flow you can either go for smaller canvases or projects or Keep creating different sized canvases and then go larger as time permits?
Cultural Producer and Nonprofit Founder
10 个月Inspiring!
International Program Manager & Legal Expert | Governance, Rule of Law, Atrocity Prevention & Peacebuilding
10 个月Love this new series, Sally! Blank Canvas is a great metaphor, a combo of paralyzing uncertainty and endless possibility. You also capture how Art itself is both an end and a vehicle for change.