Giving Back

Posted on May 17, 2013 by patt

The other day I was invited to play harp at a volunteer appreciation tea for a seniors’ home. What really struck me was that all the volunteers with the exception of one young man where seniors themselves. One couple was in their nineties! Two other ladies had been volunteering doing manicures for 25 years. I was really touched by the young man Justin (in his 20′s). When he was called up to get his certificate I heard one of the volunteers say “I thought you worked here, I see you so often.” Justin goes to the care home 3 times a week to read and visit the seniors. I hope one day if I am in a care home that some young person will come and visit me (especially as I don’t have children).

It was a lovely lunch with much laughter and of course music! It left me wishing I had more time in my schedule to volunteer. That is not going to happen any time soon so I have been thinking of other ways of giving back.

I am going to borrow an idea from Flora Bowley and tweak it. I will give away one workshop registration to a person of my choice based on your nominations.

The Prize; One seat in a workshop (recipients choice) in my studio in Parksville, BC

How to enter; Check out the workshop page and then leave a comment on this blog nominating a person who you think is deserving of winning a workshop and why. Please nominate someone who lives in the area or is able to travel. I will draw for the winner on May 31

Posted in Daily Gratitude, On being an artist | 2 Comments

Painting as Meditation.

Posted on May 6, 2013 by patt

Getting up early in the morning and going to my studio and painting is like a meditation for me. For years I did morning pages as suggested by author Julia Cameron in the Artists Way. I studied the Silva Technique and meditated on a regular basis before starting my day for many years, I still do like to journal and meditate however I have changed my daily practice to painting now. I find it provides very similar benefits for me. I think what the important thing for me is that I have some form of Zen before I start my day. I am very aware on days when I do not start with some form of meditation how different I feel. Things just don’t go as well. I feel more grounded, relaxed and settled when I take the time to meditate.

Quoting Osho – “Art is meditation. Any activity becomes meditation if you are lost in it. So don’t just remain a technician. If you are just a technician then painting will never become meditation. You have to be crazily into it, madly into it, completely lost, not knowing where you are going, not knowing what you are doing, not knowing who you are. This state of not-knowing will bring meditation. ” Read more of the excerpt from Osho’s book “Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There”

You might also want to watch this informative video on the value of mediation

“The Space Between” –TED Conference Explores the Value of Meditation

I am a firm believer in the value of meditation and have practiced it in some form for 35 years. Meditation has helped me in so many ways. I have solved many problems before they became problems. I have visualized the end result or outcome that I wanted and brought it to fruition. Meditation has helped me with performance anxiety in playing the harp. I could continue but really I must go and paint!

If you find all of this fascinating you might be interested in a workshop I am giving called “The Zen of Painting”

If you don’t meditate perhaps this will encourage you to give it a try. If you do meditate I would love to hear about your method and experiences.

Posted in On being an artist | Leave a comment

The Juggler – My Life as an Artist

Posted on April 16, 2013 by patt

Sometimes I think it would be easier to settle for a 9-5 job. Nope, that is not going to happen! I might as well just settle on being a juggler! Yes sometimes I feel like I am part of a circus! I have been self employed most of my adult life so bring the skills I have honed to my life as an artist. Like many artists I have to do more than make art to pay the bills. What does a typical day look like -well the truth is no day seems to be typical.

For the most part I try to get the most important things accomplished first. This keeps me sane and from getting grouchy. If you are a creative you know what I mean! I rise early about 5.30 and get to my studio. I don’t dawdle around but get right to painting because I know I only have one to two hours in the morning depending on the day. It is surprising how much you can accomplish when you have limited time. So you might think that it is not worth the bother painting only one to two hours a day, however all totaled that comes to 30 – 60 hours per month! Some people ask me why I would punish myself getting up so early. I don’t consider it punishment because I live what I am getting up to do. I have learned that is the only way I can guarantee to fit it in. It is important to me. Yes some mornings I would rather sleep and yes some mornings I do! But by setting the intention I am painting a lot more than I would otherwise.

Well I expect by now some of you are just rolling out of bed!

Next up is my other passion – music. I love to play my harp. I practice a minimum of one hour a day and more if I have a gig. I also have 5 students that come to my studio for regular lessons. Harping at The Lunch 014

With the two most important things in my life taken care of I can now get on with my day I feeling fulfilled and alive. Doing the two things I love keeps me sane and balanced.

Painting and music is my morning meditation, now comes the juggling act.

Every day is different!

Of course there is the role of bookkeeper, secretary, marketing manager, domestic engineer, social media expert, website updater, project manager, designer, freelance floral designer, house sitter, harp teacher, coach, workshop instructor, partner both business and life ………

If I am lucky I make it back into my studio before the day ends and squeeze a couple more hours in and then I always like to play a few tunes before bed.

Oh, oh got to go now – the clothes dryer is calling!

I will let you in on some more of my secrets on how I fit it all in another blog post.

Until then – Happy Painting or whatever it is that makes you happy! Fit it in!

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” – Unknown

Posted in Goal Setting, On being an artist | 1 Comment

Getting Back to Ready

Posted on April 7, 2013 by patt

In my years of owning flower shops this is something we practiced. Everything was left clean and ready to go in the morning. No matter how late we worked at holiday time we always swept the floor and cleaned off our counters.

I do the same in my kitchen – the policy in our house is no dirty dishes left at the end of the day.

So why is it that I don’t practice this in my studio!

No designated ending time
I want to keep painting until the last minute
Not good at watching the clock when I am in my studio
Work in acrylic and I don’t have water in my studio/hassle to take things into house to clean
To tired to be bothered to clean up when I decide to quit
BAD HABIT!

Okay there are all the excuses. Now I am going to have to do something about it. That is my other policy, 5 minutes to whine and then either do something about it or stop whining!

So it supposedly takes 30 days to form a new habit. Starting today I am going to get my studio back to ready before packing it in for the day. This means, dumping the water, cleaning and closing all paint lids, cleaning my brushes, putting away all collage material and paint, refilling buckets with clean water. In general leaving my work station ready to start when I arrive in my studio at 6.00 a.m tomorrow morning.

I think this will help me with my production, clarity and focus. Can it really be that hard!

studio-mess

Posted in Organizing, Personal Development | 4 Comments

Organizing 101

Posted on April 5, 2013 by patt

So the problem with being a mixed media artist is it is not simple! There are so many things! All the texture making tools, collage papers, different mediums, not to mention all the stuff from the recycle bin. Sometimes I wish I would have just stuck to water colour! Oh that would not be near as much fun though! The problem with stuff is it multiplies and as a mixed media artist you see the potential in everything! Okay do I need more space, more storage or less stuff! I have decided on a combination – weed through the stuff and narrow it down, organize the remainder, and have more dedicated storage.

So far I have tackled the collage papers.

DSC00439 (1)

Now instead of random piles they are all sorted and labeled.

DSC00624 (1)

I found these zippered files at Costco and they work great to organize the various papers. I store them in a filing cabinet in alphabetical order.

This is going to be real handy when I am teaching too! I might spend less time putting everything away after a class!

Work smarter not harder – isn’t that the motto?

Posted in Organizing | 4 Comments

Change is good!

Posted on April 4, 2013 by patt

I just returned from 2 and a half weeks in Saskatchewan. The cold temperatures and wind surely should have killed any germs, in any event I ended up with a wicked cold/cough and laryngitis! Although it was a busy time preparing for my Dad’s memorial service and doing things around the house that have been neglected over time I did have time to think.

I love doing mind maps and had the time to work on my business plan in more detail. The appeal of mind maps in that they are visual and I can relate to that.

In any event when I came back and went in my studio I became very aware that it is time to simplify and become even more organized. I have been pondering my next painting challenge and just can’t get clear on it. Until I can decide I will work on reducing my clutter. Some of that is inventory. Teaching and doing demo’s really creates a lot of art that doesn’t necessarily fit in with anything I am doing. That is the good news for you as I will be offering several pieces over the next few weeks through Daily Paintworks Auction. Now is the perfect time to treat yourself or buy a gift for someone.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/122702

Scrivener-Fields of Gold 10x8

Posted in Personal Development, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Patt Scrivener – Award of Excellence.

Posted on February 6, 2013 by patt

Scrivener- Juxtaposition 16x16 Acrylic on Canvas

Juxtaposition 16 x16 -Award of Excellence

Trees in a Row -12 x 12

I was pleasantly surprised to receive an Award of Excellence at the Federation of Canadian Artists Abstract Show in Vancouver for my painting Juxtaposition. It is another painting in my Circle Series. I am trying to figure out why I like circles so much!

Trees in a Row was in the show also. It is a fun little painting with collage elements. The trees are painted negatively letting the under colour show through. This is a technique I enjoy doing.

Posted in Abstract, Landscape | 2 Comments

Naming Paintings doesn’t have to be difficult!

Posted on January 30, 2013 by patt

I’ve been painting like crazy getting ready for my exhibition at The Old School House (TOSH) in Qualicum Beach. For those of you in the area mark your calendars -the opening reception is Feb 20th. This week I had to have all the Titles and prices ready to go! In the past I have always stressed out at this point so I decided to do something to prevent it. Here is what I did to save myself a panic attack!

Keep a list of words – then creatively combine them together

Compile a list of possible Titles – I have just been jotting these down in a notebook and checking them off when I use them. Someday I may put them in a database.

Where do I find title ideas:

Other artists titles
Thesaurus
Photographers titles
Song titles
Lines from songs
Names of wine
Other languages
Book titles
The first thing that pops into my head when I look at the painting
The obvious like “Red Landscape” or “Blue and Green”
Dictionary
Online name generator

Here are a few examples of using the obvious. This also makes it easy to remember the painting.

Lady In Red

Red Hot and Cool Blue

Red Horizon

Pink Poppies on a Clear Day

Well I hope I have given you some ideas that you will find useful. If you have some good tips please share them here.

Posted in On being an artist | 6 Comments

Catalyst painting blades and wedges

Posted on January 23, 2013 by patt

Just got some of the new Catalyst blades and wedges and can’t stop playing with them. Not quite a brush and not quite a palette knife! They are the perfect tool for me for many reasons:

Unlike brushes I can leave them in water without them deteriorating.
They are flexible – they will replace my credit card scrapers.
They are ergonomic and feel good in the hand.
Able to use them with, acrylic,oils, and are heat resistant for use with Encaustic. Potters and culinary chefs are using them too!
Easy to clean – clean up nice with soap and water and are solvent resistant.
Blades can be separated from the handle for cleaning.

See more Catalyst Blades and Wedges

Posted in Product review, Technique | 10 Comments

Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Posted on January 15, 2013 by patt

“Going through life without goals is like getting to your new destination without a map!”

street sign Photo credit-Mike Fleming

I love the turn of the calendar to reflect on what I accomplished the previous year, what worked, what didn’t, what to eliminate, what to do more of…

One of my S.M.A.R.T goals for 2013 is “To paint between 6 and 8 a.m Monday through Friday” This is how I can ensure I get it done without other distractions getting in the way and also I find it is a good creative flow time for me.

After reflecting it is easier to plan your goals. As a coach I help people to make S.M.A.R.T goals

S-specific

M-measurable

A-achievable/attainable

R-Realistic

T-time frame

Using the S.M.A.R.T. strategy helps you create a written plan that includes extremely clear objectives.

What is a “Specific” goal?

To make goals specific, they must state exactly what is expected. “I am going to paint more in 2013″ is not a specific goal. “I am going to paint 2 hours per day 5 days a week” is a specific goal. This time then needs to be scheduled in your calendar.

What is a “Measurable” Goal?

Goals must be measurable. Again, a goal of “I am going to paint more in 2013 ” is ambiguous. Stating when and for how long “I am going to paint for 2 hours per day 5 days a week is a concrete, measurable goal. This makes it easy to gauge your progress. Measuring progress helps you stay on track.

What is an “Achievable” Goal?

Your goal needs to be attainable. While you want to stretch yourself avoid setting yourself up for failure by setting goals that are too far out of reach.

What is a “Realistic” Goal?

Is the goal that you have set realistic? Are you passionate enough about your goal to do the work? Be fair to yourself and set realistic goals.

In order to make a change and develop a new habit you have to make it a priority!

This is going to take discipline and commitment.

What is a “Time-specific” Goal?

Do you meet your deadlines? It always amazes me how we rise to the challenge. A deadline or time specific goal makes it happen. Time-specific goals create a sense of urgency and action. Both long- term and short-term goals can be achieved using the same S.M.A.R.T. system.
To really advance your goal-setting strategies team up with another artist as an accountability partner or hire a coach.

If you would like help or someone to hold you accountable with your S.M.A.R.T goal setting I am available to coach you using Skype, phone or in person.

If you are in the Parksville area I will be offering a S.M.A.R.T goal setting workshop in the future.

Let me know if you are interested.

Posted in Goal Setting | 2 Comments