JANIS COMMENTZ California Painter
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Workshops & Exhibits
  • Paper Goods
  • Available Art
  • Links & Commissions
  • Figures
  • Small Works Available
  • Best 9 2022
Picture
Pt. Lobos State Reserve, Ink and Watercolor on paper

Summer Nurturing

6/3/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture

Janis Commentz  - Sketchbook in Monet's Garden at Giverny, France

As we approach summer, what will entice you to read a blog?
Advice?
Encouragement?
Instruction?
Good news?
 
As my favorite season approaches, I think of mornings spent journaling and reading on our backyard porch swing.  I think of mornings and afternoons painting on the patio.  To me, forever bound to the traditional academic calendar, summer tempts me with the colors, tastes, and textures of lemon meringue pie and sweet juicy watermelon!
​
If you are a painter, these colors are just as tempting pouring out of the tube! I am ready to set up a table of summer delights and begin painting!
Picture

Janis Commentz  - Sunflowers-acrylic on canvas

As summer approaches, what nurtures your creative practice? Healthy foods strengthen our bodies, and sunlight and water support healthy growth for living things. Another crucial element for creative growth is respect.

Recently, partly due to an overlong winter, I have noted a bit of grumpiness, belittling and inconsideration creeping into creative events in which I am participating.  It’s baffling at times. How are we to react?
​
In all areas of life, we flourish when we have the respect of those around us. As I Google “respect and creativity” I find a gold mine of ideas. Respect is vital in healthy day-to-day experiences. When we set out to create and develop our talents, we are seeking joy and purpose! Not all of our endeavors can be as smooth as lemon meringue pie or as tasty as watermelon, but respect certainly helps cultivate creativity.
I know I, too, can get caught up in critical behavior.  Let me make a few suggestions for the art community, using the acronym R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
 
R eview and redirect our own behavior.  Compliment before complaining!  Avoid joining in the whining and criticism. 

E mpathy -all artists young and old need encouragement and consideration.  We teach this to our young. Are we considerate when encountering an artform very different from our own?  Do we support those who are learning new skills?  Recently, I bought a piano keyboard recently, and it’s a great reminder of my lack of skill.  I am delighted with my very baby steps!

S pirit and Support – An individual’s spirit can be easily crushed.  While direction and guidance may be given, kindness is crucial! We grow hardened to heartless behavior, but we don’t expect it from our art community
Pay attention and pay it forward! Listen and speak a few kind words when we see someone suffering from harsh remarks.  We talk a lot about bullying, and some of our leaders are not modeling the best behavior. Help make your art community an encouraging environment!

E tiquette-an old fashioned word for good manners.  Let’s hope they never go out of style!

C reativity flourishes in a respectful environment.  Artists deserve dignity. We all are a little wary when someone is watching over our back—but the difference between callous criticism and loving kindness is like night and day!

T houghtfulness-Creativity is a thoughtful procedure. Nurture your own creative forces and those around you in a laboratory, greenhouse, conservatory or studio that boosts creativity.  Take your Vitamin R (Respect-no chemical or app intended) Respect yourself! Respect Others!  Respect your surroundings! 

Sunlit Jasmine                                                            Poolside                                                              Lavender Fields
​all by Janis Commentz


Find a subject to paint that brings joy this summer: the seashore, a hiking path, fresh fruit or flowers, a favorite model—perhaps on a porch swing! Remember to respect the work you are doing and those of artists around you!
​
And thank you to the many sweet people who have encouraged my practice and helped lift my spirits. Sunshine brightens the mood of any painting!

P.S.  I promise to post more about France and my sketchbook soon!
Picture
3 Comments

    This January 2023 marks 5 years of blogging about creativity, well-being and encouragement. Thank you to the many who have visited my website!  I welcome comments and questions.
         The creative habit and skills can be developed at any age. I invite you to check in often!

      Would you like to sign up for my blog / newsletter?

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Archives by Title


    - Cultivate a Sense of Play

    - ART That Changes the Heart
    - Seeking Our Roots
    - Restoration for the Art Soul 
    - Winter Salutations
    - Creative Expression is Vital to a Purposeful Life
    -You Need a Friend
    - Happy Mother's, Friends, Father's Day-Celebrate Nurturers
    ​- Happy May and Newsletter Invitation
    - June Joy and Better Habits
    - Lessons from a Life Well-Lived
    - Celebrate Community
    ​- December 2021

    - WinterLight
    - Sunflowers for Ukraine
    - Spring Ahead
    - 2nd Flowers for Ukraine
    -Greetings from the Mojave Desert
    -Winter Light  and Elevating Your Mood!
    -Creativity and Cost
    -What do you know about color? 
    -Creating in an out-of-sync world
    -Intention and Composition
    -Passion (on Valentine's Day) for the Arts
    -
    Believable Mojave Greens
    -Intention and Composition
    -
    In the mood to paint...besides inspiration what do I need?
    -With the winds, comes the inspiration for change!
    -
    Wondering About Workshops?  Jumpstart Your Practice or Jump In!
    ​
    -A Digital Leap
    ​-Blue Colored Glasses
    -New Class at the Desert Institute
    -New Media and Video
    ​
    -Travel Inspiration

    -Scheduling Creative Time
    -Letting go...and finding creativity....
    -October Opportunities
    -Holiday Cheer Through Creativity: Beating Stress and Creative Gifts 

    -Looking Back at 2018
    -Stay Creative Through the Holidays!
    -Resolve or Restore?
    -Rock Scrambling Through Winter
    -Drawing on Your Observations
    -Pondering Early Favorites
    ​-Summer Nurturing

    -In need of Inspiration?
    -Making a Thankfulness Bridge
    ​
    -December Greetings!
    ​-News for 2020
    -Nurturing Your Creative Vitality

    -Online Shop: French Press
    ​
    -A Work in Progress: Encouragement
    ​-
    Art During the Health Crisis

    ​

    All

    RSS Feed

    Archives by Date

    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

Picture
​

Email:
​janis@janiscommentz.com
All images by 
​Janis Commentz
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Workshops & Exhibits
  • Paper Goods
  • Available Art
  • Links & Commissions
  • Figures
  • Small Works Available
  • Best 9 2022