Winter should be a wonderful time for artists. The weather should be forcing all of us into a deep, cozy stay-out-of-the-cold studio practice full of introspection and productivity. Should, being the operative word.  But here in Southern California we are wet and cold....and wet...and wet.  Did I mention cold and wet?! <snicker>  As the chill seems to set into my inner core, I struggle to find the motivation to create.  I find myself having to push myself hard to be consistent.  Instead of standing with brush in hand, I am huddled with my back to the space heater that quite honestly and humorously has started burning the skin on my back!  

I've learned over my career that if I take time off now, I will not have the inventory that I need down the road.  I've made this mistake before and boy did I say 'never again.'  So my initial idea is to try using brighter colors on the surface of a few pieces in an attempt to lift my spirits and have a little lighthearted fun.  I also decided to start playing around with gouache on paper without any really reason other then to get my hand and mind defrosted and moving.  I say to myself, "Just make. Don't think. Don't prejudge." 

So far, it is working and I just wanted to share my thoughts with you today.  I'd love to hear from other artists on how they keep their studio practices alive when the weather is dreary.  Stay warm and dry!

Like so many other artists, when I am in the studio my inner child is in full control.  I am throwing paint, splashing water and allowing my inner voice to flow through me like a raging river after a winter storm.  There is always music, glorious music to take me to far away places in my mind and to the far reaches of my childhood memories.  I listen to just about every genre of music from classical to 70's rock, or some sort of funky blues or jazz.  The music fits my mood and not necessarily the work.  I learned many years back that music doesn't influence the content of my work or the pace in which I create.  It's just there, keeping me company in a space that sometimes is very isolating.  

I've been fortunate to have had studios located in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Parkland, Los Angeles and now the magical Ojai Valley California.  I have spent the years since earning my BFA in Fine Art working toward finding my voice.  It has been one of my biggest challenges.  It excites me and frustrates and challenges me and has alluded me...or so I thought it alluded me.  I've come to realize in this stage of my career as a studio artist that not every artist has A voice...meaning one.  I think that all of us know this and many of us have long ago worked through the need to live up to all the rules of the game.  It is a game.  Games are suppose to be fun!

I have a close artist friend back East, Tedd Davis.  For one year we had studio galleries side by side.  During that year, he put the game and the fun and the laughter back in my work. We literally had a blast just like children. Recently, he was checking out my latest studio work online.  Many of the pieces are subdued colors, some tonal dark.  He commented, "Hey! Where is Lesley's giant box of colors?!!!!"  It made me laugh.  I am an artist who loves to get crazy with the colors.  To that I can and will attest. 

HEY!!!! Maybe that IS my voice! My Box of Color?!!!  Ya, sure. That's it, for now. <insert chuckle> So, off to the studio I go to throw paint and remember that it is after all a game.