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

October 09th, 2020

10/9/2020

0 Comments

 

Restoration for the Art Soul

Picture
​
Autumn Greetings!
Even before the pandemic was underway, I had chosen encouragement as my  blog message for 2020, following my acronym:
Engage
Nurture
Cultivate
Observe
Uplift
Restore
Attitude
Grow
Express

We have reached restore, which is now very  appropriate as we enter the fall season.
In a few weeks we will turn back the clocks, but we know we cannot turn back time. We have always known we are part of a larger community, and that has become immensely apparent during 2020. Being part of community means starting with ourselves!
​
As an artist, restorative time is crucial.  Even though we have been isolated for seven months, my life has been full of activity: Zoom meetings and virtual gatherings.  October is traditionally “art month” and I am moving at a steady pace.  This week I completed a YouTube video bio   as past of the “Art for Heaven’s Sake”     project and I placed my France Sketchbook Calendar 2021 in my Etsy Shop: French Press Art by Janis Commentz. I have two classes to teach this next week, an acrylic plein air class for the Joshua Tree National Park Desert Institute  and a Youth Zoom class for the 29 Palms Art Gallery ​
Picture
Picture
​Currently, my November calendar is a beautiful, unfilled space.
As the leaves begin to fall, I too wish to shed a few things – to see clearly what lies ahead.  I need to clear clutter from our home, activities from the calendar and activities in cyberspace that merely fill without feeding the soul.
​

Many of us know that “restorative” poses in yoga “  allow us to relearn the art of relaxation while developing the skills and abilities to self-soothe. It enhances our healing capacity through helping us regulate the stress response and re-balance the nervous system”—from yoga coach Meghan Johnston.

As we move from seven months of isolation into the unknown, as artists and creative beings, we crave the restorative season.  Think of a squirrel gathering treasure of nuts and acorns. In fact a study from professors in the Department of Psychology at University of California at Berkeley, and published in the September issue of the journal Royal Society of Open Science (2017) — claims that tree squirrels use a mnemonic technique called "spatial chunking" to sort out and bury their nut scores by size, type, and perhaps nutritional value and taste. When they are hungry later, it is theorized, they can remember where to find what they want.

Picture
Squirrel study by Albrecht Dürer, 1512
This may explain the need to re-organize during this restorative time.  I plan to thoroughly sort and re organize my studio.  I work more efficiently and happily when I know where things are. Even when they do not look organized, I remember where objects were placed during the last organizing activity.

Like the leafless tree, in restorative mode, collect things that strengthen. Gather kernels of wisdom and truth, reach deeply with your roots into rich soil.
Prepare now to feed your artistic self with activities, people and provisions that will contribute to your art.  Long walks in nature, quiet reading of works that uplift, strengthening exercise.
​
As a painter, this is when I put the dictated art projects aside and play!  What images have I longed to explore.  What medium have I not used in a while?
Picture
Last studio organization - needed again!
I meet with a group each week to inspire creativity and although we originally met to paint, we are exploring the foundations of drawing, remembering my colored ink, pens and other drawing materials.  The simplicity of line and contour!  The advice from classic authors such as Betty Edwards, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain; Kimon Nicolaїdes, The Natural Way to Draw; and Robert Henri, The Art Spirit. Our meeting has become a nurturing space.  One individual is looking forward to a bone-muscle surgery and is planning now how she can prepare her space for quiet, nurturing art practice as the recovers; like the squirrel, she is planning, collecting and organizing!
Picture
Picture
 
May I suggest also helping to restore the spirit of neighbors.  Here in California, many have been devastated by fires as well as the pandemic. For example, apple orchards in nearby Oak Glen have been badly affected.  Nearby Cactus Mart in Morongo Valley, which carries my artwork , posted: “ If you’re going to @rileysatlosrios in Oak Glen for your apple cider be sure to stop at @action_true_value_ in Cherry Valley” to contribute to  a donation. Look for those in need. Often, they are silent and not reaching out.
 
Part of restoring ourselves is helping to restore our community. Creativity should spread generously to uplift others.
  Restore!
0 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