Have you ever had a dream project: a special series of works that you really want to create and put out into the universe? I think all of us have had something inside that is just waiting to come to fruition. But, for some reason, we put it off. We always find a way to put it off. Sometimes, we may even start the project but then allow ourselves to be sidetracked and distracted with other endeavors. Why? We give ourselves a million excuses as to why. Here are a few of mine. It’s not the right time. I have so much on my plate already. Too many family obligations to manuever. Then there are the self-doubt questions that come up like is there a market, will anyone even be interested in this work or am I able to accomplish the project in the way I want to? The list of excuses and the over-bearing questions that make one hesitate abound. Yet, the project is still there, deep inside of us, just waiting to be created. It’s not going away, no matter how many band-aid like excuses we place on top of it. In the end, it comes down to this simple question,
“When do you get to the point where you’re so frustrated and tired of waiting that you actually start that dream project that has been brewing in your mind for so long?”
The answer is NOW. You don’t have to quit everything else in your life to start something. Even little pieces of time add up to large accomplishments. Remember the story of the mustard seed. The smallest of seeds create the largest trees. It’s not about the big grand gesture of dramatic change that turns the tide. It’s the small choices done on a consistent basis that gives longlasting change. Also, once you start the process, you always seem to find more time for it. When we see things moving forward, we get momentum.
In mythology as well as many world religions, fire has been described as a divine presence in the creation story. From a burst of light that illuminates the universe, we hold within us a spark. It’s that spark that igntes the flame. Our creative energy, motivation and passion surge when the appropriate friction is applied: as friction creates heat and intense friction creates fire! As artists, let’s harness the magic of the fire that burns within us, igniting that inner passion to create something meaningful.
In my work, I often use metaphors, symbolism and allegory to convey an emotionally-charged, message-driven story, stimulating curiosity, provoking thought and encouraging deeper inspection to discover hidden messages that lie beneath the surface. In my mixed-media painting called Night Fury, shown below, I thematically created a highly tumultuous seascape where the earth opens like a raging beast, exposing hell’s wrath below. Through the smoke filled sky, a courageous ship sails through the flaming, turbulent waters in search of the light that resides above the horizon. Built to sail, we are much like ships. Our life’s journey is filled with great trials and tribulations that must be endured, having faith that we will eventually find our way through the night’s fury.
Check out my Rediscovering Your Creative Self podcast episode on venturing out to new ports over the horizon with our creative works, taking a leap of faith and being open to what is to come.
VENTURING OUT:
(Night Fury) Because the painting is grand in scale, 6′ x 4′ x 2”, I needed to adapt my tools and process to fit the scale. Large rollers, wide trowels and brushes with extended handles were needed to cover the large surface. While working, I also used a step stool to assist me in reaching the upper areas of the piece.
I work with artists from around the globe, helping them to develop and release their dream projects into the world. My atelier-style endeavor is a unique approach to learning, where each artist works on their own projects: whether that be single standalone works or works in a series. Unlike a workshop or an assignment-driven class, this ongoing atelier supports each individual artist’s intent on creating works that they really want to pursue with the support of a coach in a group setting.
The Atelier Masterclass covers a variety of topics from artistic growth and development, nurturing the creative spirit, developing personal content, embracing a multidisciplinary mindset to creating, launching and promoting passion-driven art out into the culture. As the instructor, I provide monthly assistance and guidance through process demonstrations on experimental and traditional painting techniques, lectures on best practices for your artistic business and live art feedback sessions during group chats. If you miss a session, you can watch the recording at a later date.
In addition, atelier patrons have access to the site’s full video and audio library, weekly behind-the-scenes posts and event recordings on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind patreon site. The month-to-month membership of $25/month (you can cancel at any time) also includes private access to the Community Chat, where we have a monthly sketchbook challenge, book club and so much more! Check out my recent Rediscovering Your Creative Self podcast episode on the Sketchbook Challenge Endeavor.
As an instructor in several MFA programs (Hartford Art School MFA in Illustration and Marywood University Masters with the Masters), I work with many artists, illustrators, animators and designers, helping them develop and promote their dream projects. I see the power that comes when an artist starts a coveted project, announces it to their peers and works in a group setting to launch the project into the universe. Participating in a supportive community helps artists to stay committed to their dream project. Harnessing the creative energy and experience that a group can bring, an artist gains collective wisdom and insight, forging the work forward.
The Atelier Masterclass experience is an opportunity to interact with artists and enthusiasts from all around the world who have shared interests in art. Creating a broad-reaching, artistic community is a very important part of the creative process, broadening your horizons and assisting you on your own creative path.
Throughout the unique online experience, you will discover a multitude of ways to ignite your creativity, opening the door for the creative spirit to shine! Go forth and create from the heart.
If you are interested in learning more about working in relief on the painted surface or working in experimental mixed-media techniques, check out my Masterclass on patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/lisalcyr
A Unique Approach:
Masterclass is a unique approach to learning, where each artist works on their own projects, whether that be standalone works or works in a series. Unlike a workshop or an assignment-driven class, this online atelier supports each individual artist’s intent on creating works that they really want to pursue.
There are approximately SEVEN Live Events every month. The Masterclass Saturday sessions (usually held on the first Saturday of the month) are from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the In the Studio sessions are from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on the same day. In addition, there is a monthly Paint, Draw + Create Together event (once a month) on Tuesday from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social events (3 to 4 times a month) are on Tuesday from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
Patron Art Feedback sessions for Masterclass are conducted four times a year, giving each artist time to create their works. Artists that cannot attend live can submit up to 3 pieces for a live session review. Each review is recorded.
Experimental + Traditional Techniques:
The Masterclass online atelier covers a variety of topics from studio best practices to a vast array of experimental and traditional painting as well as expressive drawing techniques. The instructor provides monthly assistance and guidance through live demonstrations, lectures and group chats. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording at a later date.
Painted Passages: This series of posts and videos on how to employ freeform painting techniques to create magical backgrounds and environments in mixed media.
Collage Techniques: This series of posts and videos on using collage techniques in mixed-media works of art.
Working in Relief: This series of posts and videos focuses on working in relief in mixed media, exploring self-expression through texture-building and bas-relief techniques onto the painted surface.
Studio Basics: This series of posts and videos on artistic best practices for the studio artist, from working surfaces, grounds, painting mediums, varnishes, drawing and painting media to brushes, tools and equipment.
Expressive Drawing Series: This series of posts and videos explores alternative mark-making using drawing materials to create expressive works of art.
Conceptual Development: This series of posts and videos focuses on developing concepts for visually expressive works of art.
Masks, Props + Costuming: This series of posts and videos focuses on how I create unique masks, props and costumes for my figurative subjects.
Insights from the Natural World: This series of posts and videos explores using nature as an inspirational muse for creating artistic works
Just Imagine: This series of posts and videos explore working in a sketchbook as well as creating custom made books. Tactile surfaces, unique designs and engaging presentations stimulate brain activity, allowing artists to drift back to a playful state of mind.
Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club: This series of posts and videos explore writing about our works, creating poetry and prose and using the power of words to assist in the creative process!
Mixed Media Artist Series: This series of posts and videos includes insightful and thought-provoking profiles of leading artists, working in unique techniques and innovative approaches in art.
The Art of Promotion: This series of posts and videos cover artistic promotional strategies and practices.
Check out the complete Collection of Content already on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site!
Behind-the-Scenes Access:
The artist brings you into her studio through live behind-the-scenes access and weekly posts and videos to current projects and creative endeavors.
In addition, you have early access to the artist’s upcoming Shows and Exhibitions.
Creative Enrichment:
Discussions regarding artistic growth and development, nurturing the creative spirit, developing personal content, embracing a multidisciplinary mindset and creating message-driven art are also explored as ways to assist artists on their own creative path.
Throughout this online workshop experience, artists discover a multitude of ways to ignite creativity, opening the door for the artistic spirit to shine! Check out the testimonials above from artists around the globe!
Get weekly access to the Rediscovering Your Creative Self weekly podcast which focuses on developing a relationship with the creative spirit that resides within and making daily lifestyle changes that enhance creativity, building a more creative and playful mindset.
Throughout the audio program, topics such as battling the inner critic, handling creative block, working through anxiety and self-doubt and interrupting the patterns that bind are explored. Managing fears, seeing mistakes as rites of passage, knowing when to open and close doors, riding the wave of triumphs and tribulations, avoiding distractions and coping with naysayers that keep one from seeing the light that resides within are covered.
Every month on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site, there is new Sketchbook Challenge prompt and directive, allowing artists to discover alternative ways in which to practice art that is more personal. Art created from this endeavor is shared on the private Community Chat with other artists.
Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Weekly Social
Every Tuesday night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm EST, you can attend an open sketchbook night social event called Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration. We discuss the Rediscovering Your Creative Self podcast episode of the week, setting an intention for our work and making daily lifestyle changes that enhance creativity.
Artists use the Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration weekly get-together as a time to commit to working in their sketchbook, experimenting and discussing with other artists topics that will help in developing a relationship with the creative spirit that resides within. Recordings are available for Masterclass artists if they miss a session!
Build a Community:
Be a part of a creative tribe, interacting with artists and enthusiasts from all around the world who have shared interests in art. This is an opportunity to create a robust artistic community, broadening your horizons as a creative person.
Your membership also includes private access to the Community Group, where patrons share art and works-in-progress, post the monthly Sketchbook Challenges as well as the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social art and work from the Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club. They also share inspiration, discuss new artistic tools, products and equipment as well as interesting and informative books on art and so much more!
Join Us:
The Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind Online Atelier has weekly posts and videos as well as several LIVE events each month.
Join month-to-month for $25/mo US or save 5% if you join yearly!
copyright 2023 Lisa L. Cyr, Cyr Studio LLC
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