Creative Thinking and the Inner Artist

I was pondering new technologies today after seeing so many people going about their daily lives with  mobile phones attached to their anatomy. Are we missing what is happening in the moment while we catch up with life though an object like an iPhone? Face to face may become a thing of the past. We may chose to  shop on the internet,  view everything online and never bother to leave home.  Art exhibition openings in that context may become obsolete.

On the other hand this might give new meaning to connecting with an object such as a painting or sculpture live in a gallery. To hold it in the stillness of the mind for a moment in this situation would be extraordinary. Away from the business of life, an artwork can have a personal meaning for each viewer, and this experience can be best felt if alone with the work.

My current exhibition Hidden Dimensions is travelling and going next to Atherton Tablelands. Last year I wrote a blog post on the value of travelling an exhibition and on Thursday night this exhibition had its fourth venue opening at Noosa Regional Gallery. In was in full swing and we had a very large crowd. This was due to Hidden Dimensions being just one of four openings that night and one gallery held a group exhibition of small works with many local artists participating. Quite a few visitors that night did comment on how they had visited the gallery the previous day to spend time alone with the art.

It was great to see so many out and about especially on such a rainy night and the many artists exhibiting felt some pleasure is seeing their work appreciated. On Facebook you can see the Hidden Dimensions exhibition not long after it was hung… and then be one of the happy crowd viewing the Noosa Regional Gallery opening night There is a write up titled Four Stunning Exhibitions sure to impress by the Sunshine Coast Daily newspaper to read and  you will find the gallery details on the Sunshine Coast Galleries website

Below are a few images of the Hidden Dimensions exhibition which runs until the 26th May. Entry is Wednesday to Sunday from 10am and its free to the public. The address is Pelican Drive, Tewantin, and the gallery is near the Council chambers and close to the Marina. Please do check the opening hours if you intend to go see the exhibitions.

Hidden Dimensions exhibition at Noosa Regional Gallery

Hidden Dimensions exhibition runs until 26th May 2013

twilight Seas 152 x 52 cm acrylic on canvas in the Hidden Dimensions exhibition

The Digital Pigment Print wall

The more we search, the faster the answers arrive, sometime unexpectedly.

I always browse the bookshop shelves although I have more than enough to read at home. It seems I just can’t help myself.  There are worst addictions I feel. When I picked up Proof of Heaven by Dr Eben Alexander I couldn’t put it down, so I had to buy it. I read it in two days and then made my usual summary page, before my husband devoured it just as quickly. I have family waiting in line to read this book. What is it that had such an impact?

It was a combination of several things. Firstly it gave another layer to a topic I address in my workshops on super conscious thinking…then, despite all I understood about creativity, it took pressure off my painting not currently falling into flow… now that’s a bonus.

Eben Alexander came to his conclusions from a near death experience and this might cause some to doubt his deductions, but as a neurosurgeon with a scientific background, he had an immense turn around in his thinking. His story meshes together with some surprising outcomes.

I feel it offers hope, to those that have a religious bent, but more so to those that don’t. The bottom line was a message of love and we can all do with more of that. The author confirmed for me that this life is a journey, and we remain more powerful than all the troubles we may face here on earth. Whatever you will make of this book, for me it was an exciting read and offered fuel for the quest to find true purpose in life.

You can find out more about my own trans-formative workshops in April and July  on Creative Purpose and the Inner Artist and read short PDF’S on my three books on creative philosophy

A tiny bit of sunshine in the midst of rainy weather can brighten up your day so when you read a story that resonates during some tough times you tend to take it on board.  A great little book ‘Success 101‘ by John Maxwell has many words of wisdom you can take with you wherever you go. Much better for the soul than the gossip magazines left about to fill in time, it will make you smile and ponder life’s mysterious ways.

Maxwell writes about a reporter on a journey to glean a story from a building work site. The first man interviewed is grumpy and when asked what he is doing says ‘earning a paycheck’, while a second man can only say ‘what does it look like I am doing’. When the reporter approaches a happy, whistling worker there is a much different scenario and to the same question is told…’I am building a shelter for the homeless’ as the worker excitedly points out the various areas that are taking shape, the kitchen and the dormitories…

You can see the difference a clear vision makes to everything that is achieved in a successful and perfect way just like you can tangibly feel the difference in emotion that an object made with enthusiasm and love reflects.  Art, I feel, has to come from both these places to reach the viewer at a deeper level, and arise from an inner direction rather than one swayed by what the art market dictates.

Limited Edition original digital pigment print

Keeping focus can be a hard call at times but worth the struggle when you hold something in your hands that has come to fruition from holding tight to a dream and pushing it through to completion. Having just completed my third book I returned to my painting to find it was not working as I wanted. The last time this occurred I allowed myself some childlike play with digital artworks to ease open the door. Below are two just completed original pigment prints aptly titled  ‘New Beginnings’ and ‘The Bigger picture’.

Limited Edition original digital pigment print

The birth of the NEW YEAR presented me with the birth of  a new book. Two advance copies arrived today..it was named on my website recently…[The Christening will be next.] ‘Harnessing the Power of the CREATIVE SPIRAL’ is now printed [birthed] and arrives around the middle of February. For more information see Art Clique Books

Read the book premise below:

In this third book Lyne Marshall puts her unique spin on the creative process, and the philosophical and spiritual side of art creation. She addresses the cyclic nature of life and art, and the way there is a seemingly invisible organic structure, a spiral, that continues its upward crusade in the course of realising original vision. Marshall is a practicing artist and in this semi–biographical book she fleshes out these ideas in an approach that not only educates the reader to the ways of the artist but increases their understanding of some thought provoking topics. This book deals with the important issues of self awareness, as well as being useful for art instruction.

This is an 80 page full colour book containing many illustrations, paintings, photographs, quotes and poems to support the writing. The Forword is written by Merv Moriarty. See short PDF’s on the ART CLIQUE website You can buy a copy now… $44 postage free to Australia and  New Zealand

Lyne Marshall's new book Harnessing the Power of the CREATIVE SPIRAL

The FOREWORD of Harnessing the Power of the CREATIVE SPIRAL

It’s been quite a journey, a roller coaster ride, and am I surprised? The creative process seems to work that way, a bit of luck maybe, but mostly what I call synchronicity. When you open the door the guests start arriving.

Deciding to write a third book began when I found I was working away in my studio with little satisfaction and quite a few failures. I was struggling with the question of why I had reached this impasse? The twists and turns and repeated patterns, plus the words of other artists, altered me to the idea that this might just be an ongoing natural process, and was not only unavoidable, but should be anticipated with some degree of excitement.

We do have repeated patterns that arise, in differing ways for different people, every time we create. But how do you get excited by the downturns and turn this into a positive experience? What did I need to understand?  This concept formed the premise for my new book Harnessing the Power of the CREATIVE SPIRAL.

This invisible organic spiral structure continues its upward crusade in the course of realising original vision. In covering the stages it reaches, I was able to address some thought provoking topics, including raw talent, self awareness, risk taking,  and the meaning of values. Below is an exert from the Foreword  written by  Merv Moriarty

‘This spiral, that Lyne has so beautifully constructed is, I feel, not only a part of every artist’s battle, it is perhaps applicable to the journey of everyone who dares to challenge the way that is safe but ordinary - who dares to turn their back on that way, even for a small stretch, to try to wring something more out of the journey that is life. .’ Merv Moriarity

I do run somewhat with metaphor. Story-telling is one of my favorite language tools however terms such as artistic vision and creative process can be problematic as they are not only metaphorical but also fleeting and elusive. This book continues my long journey of gaining an understanding into what is considered by many as mysterious yet tenuous. In writing it I have renewed my enthusiasm for not only art, but life in general. I believe the reader will have the same positive experiences.

Due for release sometime in January and at the latest early February,  I am planning to have Harnessing the Power of the CREATIVE SPIRAL stocked in many of the venues who hold my other books  so check with the one near you if you bought my previous books there. It can also be preordered by emailing me. [ books @artclique.com.au ] Below is a sneak review of the cover. The previous books can be viewed on http://www.artclique.com.au/galleries/books/book.html and the new addition will be featured there soon.

A new book examining the nature of the invisible organic spiral that continues its upward crusade in the course of realising original vision.