"Paintings With Personality"

Cold Forge is a watercolor on 140 lb Arches paper. I saw this "old cowboy" in Columbia, CA. He was working in the blacksmith shop in this historic tourist town.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  

Using my studio as a refuge from our home renovation, made me think about the “magical zone” we all have heard about. The zone is an emotion in which the subconscious takes over from the conscious mind. In it, our focus and attention are heightened, giving us increased ability as we work. That is why when we are creating art for sales, shows, or anything other than the desire to create, the work will not be our best. Sales and shows are about the future or the past, and the zone is in the present.

Being in the zone is an interesting feeling, time seems to slow down and stop. You see everything so clearly and know that what you are doing is exactly right. Every part of you is working in sync. You are so absorbed in what you are doing, all tiredness, and discomfort disappear. You don’t feel temperatures, either hot or cold, you don’t think about anything other than what you are doing, you can hear, but can’t talk. If you get interrupted or begin to notice how focused you are, you are no longer in the zone.  

Achieving the zone is more skill than luck and like all skills, you have to practice to be good at it., To get to the zone, have a ritual that you do every day after entering your studio. For example, hang an “artist working” sign, turn on some music, look through an art book or magazine, or do a few creative warmup exercises. Immediately before you start painting, visualize the beauty of your finished painting and the ease of your brush flowing across the paper. When something works, enjoy your success and give yourself a BIG thumbs up. To stay in the zone, make your environment comfortable. Have the tools and materials you plan to work with out so you won’t have to stop and look for something in the middle of your work session. Get over your mistakes quickly and concentrate on your strengths. Focus on the process, not the result.

To work in the zone, you have to be sure of what you are doing, knowledge of your craft is a must. Follow your instincts and forget everything but the present. Strengthen your intuition by painting and drawing every day. Let go, lose your fear and go with your impulse.

Getting into the zone with all the hammering and banging going on as our renovation continues has been difficult for me to. Blues music, quietly sitting in front of my easel and completely focusing on what is right in front of me has helped. What do you do to get into the zone?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, turkey and pumpkin pie. And, don’t forget to be thankful. Later, Judy

www.judyballance.com