Brain Baster: Making Creative Gravy
Part III Continued...
Part III Continued...
This post is a continuation of the previous gravy installment which discusses simple, silly, hands-on techniques for recharging your creative batteries, sparking sleeping inspiration to either discover the artist-in-hiding or get back to work! Today we'll discuss the use of Music as more than ambiance but as a useful visualization tool in the studio.
Music! Ah!
It's one of the greatest communicators.
So much possibility!
I can't wait! :)
It's one of the greatest communicators.
So much possibility!
I can't wait! :)
"Heart Strings" Molly Roberts 2008Gravy Maker #6: A Little Song and Dance...
You have favorite songs. You have All Time Favorite records. Why? What is it about those pieces of music that make you overflow or cry or skip around? What is it about those particular sounds in that particular order that speaks to you? It's worth considering...
This exercise is Awesomely easy. Find a few tunes that strike a chord in you (Pun TOTALLY intended...) and grab a marking tool. To start, it's easiest to use a dry tool like charcoal, pastels or pencils so you don't have to worry about reloading paint or ink. Make sure you have a nice BIG space to work on, tape newsprint or old papers up on the wall, a nice long string of them. This is no time to be hunched over a desk or crouched on the floor, or wearing those jeans that make your butt look excellent but don't allow you to bend over. You want to be able to Move. Kick off your shoes, stretch out a little, roll up your sleeves, start your music and let it tell you where to go.
Before you are totally swept up in the momentum of beauteous music, wait for a moment and listen. What sort of images does this music stir up? Don't worry if you're images don't "make sense", they don't have too. You're developing a Visual Language. Now, consolidate that image in your mind and let your hands to dance! It's likely that the rest of your body will follow suit.
This imagery you are putting down can be anything: marks that reflect the style of the music (flowy, sCraTchy, wavy,big, small, loud, soft, swelling, Dieing, bubbling, etc.) or completely fabricated fantasies, surreal scenarios, characters, places the melody makes you remember, meals you've had, or dreams you've dreamed...
Can't think of anything? This would be a good time to consult your List of images, things and places that Switch you On! Just like you would when doing a stream-of-consciousness jot, let your body talk by moving the drawing tool until your brain catches up.
What colors come to mind when you listen? Glistening puddles of magenta? Slowly Creeping streaks of silver? Wandering herds of chartreuse? What do those colors mean to you? What sounds do you attach them to? If you prefer, this exercise can easily be done as a color association experiment with watercolors and fingers. :)
This exercise is Awesomely easy. Find a few tunes that strike a chord in you (Pun TOTALLY intended...) and grab a marking tool. To start, it's easiest to use a dry tool like charcoal, pastels or pencils so you don't have to worry about reloading paint or ink. Make sure you have a nice BIG space to work on, tape newsprint or old papers up on the wall, a nice long string of them. This is no time to be hunched over a desk or crouched on the floor, or wearing those jeans that make your butt look excellent but don't allow you to bend over. You want to be able to Move. Kick off your shoes, stretch out a little, roll up your sleeves, start your music and let it tell you where to go.
Before you are totally swept up in the momentum of beauteous music, wait for a moment and listen. What sort of images does this music stir up? Don't worry if you're images don't "make sense", they don't have too. You're developing a Visual Language. Now, consolidate that image in your mind and let your hands to dance! It's likely that the rest of your body will follow suit.
This imagery you are putting down can be anything: marks that reflect the style of the music (flowy, sCraTchy, wavy,big, small, loud, soft, swelling, Dieing, bubbling, etc.) or completely fabricated fantasies, surreal scenarios, characters, places the melody makes you remember, meals you've had, or dreams you've dreamed...
Can't think of anything? This would be a good time to consult your List of images, things and places that Switch you On! Just like you would when doing a stream-of-consciousness jot, let your body talk by moving the drawing tool until your brain catches up.
What colors come to mind when you listen? Glistening puddles of magenta? Slowly Creeping streaks of silver? Wandering herds of chartreuse? What do those colors mean to you? What sounds do you attach them to? If you prefer, this exercise can easily be done as a color association experiment with watercolors and fingers. :)
"My drawings aren't very...erm, pretty..."
Don't over think it or you'll smother the good stuff!
It's all fair game.
It's all fair game.
This is also challenging and productive (and much more fun) to try with tunes you haven't heard before. This means your gear-turning, gut reactions and associations are fresh and not bogged down with previous memories or personal attachments. (No break-up songs allowed!) Here are a few of my personal favorites that I love to play too. I thought about posting the titles BUT what fun would that be? Get your crayons and paper ready, kids! It's a suprise! I love surprises...
Pick a door:
Door Number 1
Door Number 2
Door Number 3
Door Number 3 1/2
Door Number 4
Door Number 5
Door Number 6
Door Number 7
Door Number 8
For an exquisitely messy time, this exercise can be mushed together with the previous sticks and stones experiment!
Tomorrow, I'll be posting some Gravy you can make with a friend! Until then--
What songs make you want to turn-down-turn-up-and-explode?
What tunes will you use to make magick happen while you're busy being a Creatrix?
What tunes will you use to make magick happen while you're busy being a Creatrix?
Tomorrow, I'll be posting some Gravy you can make with a friend! Until then--
Wishing you Bounding in Bare Feet and Days of Delicious Drawing!
Merry Making and Many Blissings~*
Merry Making and Many Blissings~*
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