The Chaos of Conflicting Impulses

I had a painting teacher that said she was lucky because the only thing she knew how to do was paint. It simplified things for her.

Do the muses pull you in many different directions like they do me? I paint, make handmade books, photograph, do calligraphy, graphic & web design. All those things tug at me for their time at bat. When asked what type of art I create, I usually reply, "I'm a mockingbird, I sing many different songs." I like that. I like the variety. But it can also make it more challenging for me to settle in to creating.

So instead of just being confused about where to start, I decided to write down on little slips of paper all of the types projects and mediums I could think of and put them into a wonderful decorative box that belonged to my mother. Something ceremonial looking (pictured here).

Now if I'm paralyzed and feeling overwhelmed by too many options, I withdraw a slip of paper out of the box and do what it says. My first project was practicing hand lettering Neuland. What I like about this, is I have no preconceived idea about the end result. It truly is just something to get to move past fear, or confusion. A way to establish hand eye coordination. As I proceed I begin to feel excitement of just making the letters - even though I'm extremely rusty at this alphabet. This led to painting.

"The Chaos of Conflicting Impulses"

by Kathryn Van Aernum