October 09th, 2020

Restoration for the Art Soul

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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!
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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 ​

​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.
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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.

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.
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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?

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!

 
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!