Creating art is a process of discovery. As a collage artist, I discover relationships between elements, edges, shapes, colors and textures. I discover processes and ways to make marks, ways to put color on paper and ways to use my tools. I think if I knew exactly what was going to happen when I walked in the studio, I’d be outa there, looking for a new set of experiences of discovery. It is that moment when the pieces come together, the puzzle is solved and I just know that’s It. That’s the Why of it. Then I want to do it Again.
Nobody will stop you from creating. Do it tonight. Do it tomorrow. That is the way to make your soul grow - whether there is a market for it or not! The kick of creation is the act of creating, not anything that happens afterward. I would tell all of you watching this screen: Before you go to bed, write a four line poem. Make it as good as you can. Don't show it to anybody. Put it where nobody will find it. And you will discover that you have your reward. Kurt Vonnegut
Both of these collages are 6 inches by 6 inches on watercolor paper. They are as of yet untitled, and were made by Leslie Avon Miller. Now I'm going to go make another one!
I totally agree with you about that moment...when it all comes together, when you know it is right, when the puzzle is complete. It is such a satisfying feeling!
ReplyDeleteFor each artist the process of creating art is unique to that person.
ReplyDeleteThe interaction between shapes is composition, the interaction between materials represents the artists symbolism.
The combination of process, composition and symbolism represents the artists personal mythology.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us and soon a title will come to you , it will come when you stop thinking about it.
Have a wonderful week
Egmont
I agree Leslie. The joy is in the doing. You've written it so eloquently.
ReplyDeletespot on.
ReplyDeleteA very soft Japanese feel to these. I like them very much. THIS is something I would love to hang in my personal space.
ReplyDeleteYou put it so well - progress in creativity comes from both the discipline to stick with it on a regular basis and giving in to your creative urges. Lovely work!
ReplyDeleteSo often my vision of what I want to create and what I actually end up creating are quite different.
ReplyDeleteWould I really want my vision to be easily completed? Perhaps once in a while. However, if that happened each and every time, or even most of the time, I would no longer learn and grow.
I think I should go and create and discover right now.
Thanks AGAIN for a wonderful post.
Your collages are right on the button and your writing is so apposite. I quite agree with Kim, I think we would all get bored if our work turned out perfectly every time, just once in a while is enough to keep us interested.
ReplyDeleteSeth – The sweet spot! We always know when it’s a fit.
ReplyDeleteEgmont – Very beautifully said. Thank you.
Margaret – Joy in the doing and the action of creating – yes.
iNdi@ - ;o)
Zappha – What lovely feedback. Thank you. That means a lot to me.
Kathy – Hi. Yes there is a dance isn’t there? The dance of discipline and creative intuition.
Kim – Yes, easy has to happen sometimes because there is a lot of work involved. “I think I should go and create and discover right now.” – Yes!
Ian – I agree – we deserve that “once in a while” piece where it all comes together with apparent ease.
Exactly! The "kick of creation" and the joy, when it all comes together keeps us going.
ReplyDeletemmmm, shades of gray - the second piece is lovely :)
ReplyDeleteI love both of these collages! I look forward to third!
ReplyDeletethese are playful and assured...the bottom one has a wicked balance that I admire.
ReplyDelete...and I miss Kurt V.
ReplyDeleteDear Leslie,
ReplyDeleteGood morning, I hope everything is ok with you and your family.
Thank you for your nice message.
Foundation Josep Niebla is installed in a nice house in eighteenth-century Spanish Costa Brava, next to the south of France.
Josep Niebla addition to being a good friend, is also one of the great Spanish painters living and a man of great human dimension.
Every day I look at your friendly blog. I admire every picture you put there.
Every day that passes we saw your artistic growth.
Your work shows a great artistic and human breath.
We can feel the breath of the white paper and the spots had. Greater security that reveals your artistic growth. Believe that I am very happy to follow even at a distance.
Maybe one day we can expose together !!!!????
However I wish to inform you that I am learning English, it takes time ...
Good work and congratulations!
Regards
Yours,
José Brito
Leslie
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are all exquisite four line poems. We're so glad you don't put them where nobody will find them!
There are many similarities between your work and poetry. Both are spare and focus on the essential, rather than the extraneous. They both allow the audience to contemplate their own interpretation.
simply gorgeous..love the colors and all the white space.. so refreshing!
ReplyDeletelove these pieces-- especially the 2nd one--- yes - the joy of creating.
ReplyDeleteI love these Leslie, the dots on the top one look terrific.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful style, I'm not sure if they have a Japanese or Arabic feel to them. Every little stroke seems to say something.
leslie....i ALWAYS greatly appreciate your visits/comments on my blog postings. thank you!
ReplyDeleteand
your "best life coaching" is evident in the pieces you write on this blog as well: a strength and conviction and directness with gentleness. nourishing. so again thank you.
great quotes from Brault and Vonnegut.
It is such a pleasure to step into the studio and not know how things will turn out...plenty of questions, plenty of choices.
ReplyDeleteYour second piece is outrageously beautiful. This post was especially perfect with the Kurt Vonnegut quote...thank you
Gorgeous collages Leslie...
ReplyDeleteI like what you have said here, Jo :)
the wonderful thing about getting visitors to your blog is you follow their trail, and HERE I am to enjoy your work. I really like Kurt Vonnegut quote.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are always so inspirational for me. Both your art pieces and your writing serve as coaching from a refined and gracious intellect. I so appreciate the generosity you exhibit on your blog, and your "marks" are ever vital, exceptional and filled with an organic urgency.
ReplyDeleteProcess IS primary to the act of creating, the sheer joy of it is a reminder of the miracle of life. Thanks for the reminder!
Wonderful post Leslie but your work....it's brilliant! Absolutely, some of the best I've seen in blogland lately!
ReplyDeleteThere is an ease to it that truly is ART to me - a flow - unabashed and expressive.
My hat is off to you. Will you sell them?