Celebrating Color

The latest news from Carol McIntyre's studio...

Why are They Called Ugly Sweaters?

By

It’s the holiday season and that means it’s ugly sweater season! Have you ever wondered why these sweaters are called ugly? Before you answer this question, do you own one. If so, do you wear it?

For fun, what do you think are the possible reasons why we affectionately refer to these pull-overs as ugly sweaters? Is it the designs or the color or both?

ugly sweaters

Did you know you can buy ornaments that feature ugly sweaters? Fun, eh? I found this one on Zazzle. I bet there’s a Facebook group that features them. I know people like to have ugly sweater parties, but I have never been invited to one. 🙁 Have you? [Read more…]

Have You Experienced Post Creation Depression?

By

The title of this blog asks, Have ever experienced post creation depression? It is also called post publication depression or post creation blues or post writing blues or post project depression, and variations thereof. I had never heard of this condition until recently, have you?

Last week my final book files were sent off to the printer in China. YIPPEE!post creation depressionI have been working on I Just Want to Paint: Mixing the Colors You Want! obsessively for over a year. I’m supposed to be doing an Irish jig and jumping for joy?! Shouldn’t I feel exhilarated or have a great sense of accomplishment? Instead, lethargy ruled the day. I was greeted with a big surprise. I had hit an emotional and physical brick wall.

I could barely smile because all I could feel was total exhaustion and depression. To make things worse, I couldn’t figure out why. What is this? Sure, a little let-down made sense, but this was much more debilitating and my body literally hurt. People around me the past few months had heard me complain of being tired and brain dead, but nothing like this.

On the second day of depression, as I was leaving the house (I knew I had to keep moving) for an errand, I said to my husband Bob, “Maybe this is like post-partum blues? Could you look up the symptoms?” When I returned home, he had discovered that there is something called “post creation depression,” and had sent me several links for articles on the subject. [Read more…]

Ever tire of hearing “Enjoy the process?”

By

Today’s post is a little different because I am expressing something that has been rattling around in my head for a long time. I am also wanting to know how it hits home with any of you.

When I started to learn how to paint, some 25+ years ago, I kept hearing instructors and artists saying, “Enjoy the process.” It irritated me because so many people said it AND they said it as if it was a mantra AND I was supposed to know what it meant. Let me tell you, I was not enjoying the process, yet I was not going to stop learning. Why did they keep saying this and without any explanation? I didn’t understand, which added to my frustration and feeling as if something was wrong with me.

enjoy the process, pouring paint, artistic process, creative process, color mixing

Mind you, upon reflection, I don’t know why I never asked anyone what “enjoy the process” meant. Perhaps, because it was always said in such a knowing way and I kept wondering what I was missing. I guess I didn’t want to look stupid by asking for clarification. (Side note: being shy in asking a question is not my normal behavior, as some of you know. LOL!)

Do you ever tire of the phrase? When you first heard it, what was your reaction? Did you comprehend its meaning?

Let me give you some personal background. [Read more…]

5 Tips for Your Art Studio

By

Creatives are wonderful problem solvers, which is one reason why we create because it is what we love to do.  When presented with a ‘problem,’ we are not likely to turn away. We use our curiosity to come up with possible solutions. My art studio is one such place where I have had to be a creative problem solver. Since we all work differently, we need different things to support our passion and our working rhythms. Often storage is the most challenging. In this post, I want to share some of the everyday items used in kitchen and bathrooms that I use in my studio.

What are Some Tips for Your Art Studio?

Here is a swing arm mirror attached on the other side of my art studio across from my painting area. I use it to look at a painting I might have on my easel. The mirror image helps to see the painting from another perspective and perhaps find areas that need to be altered. [Read more…]

What is the Healing Power of Art?

By

Does art heal? Does it facilitate healing for the viewer or the artist or both? What do you consider the healing power of art? Is it something you think about as you create or as you view art? Or can you feel it?
asdklkhf
There is no question in my mind that art provides a valuable source for healing. I have heard many stories and witnessed how paintings have impacted lives. What is your experience?
 asdkljh
 As a painter, I experience it often, sometimes with intent and other times it shows up unexpectedly.  “Let the Caged Bird Sing,” a recent abstract painting, surprised me mid-way through the painting process with its emotional content and healing power. I am going to share my process as to how this transpired.
  healing power of art
As many of you may know, I begin a painting by choosing its color palette. Red is one of my favorite colors and since it had not been a dominate color for awhile, I chose it to be main color for this painting. By the way, I had no intent for this abstract painting other than to make red my dominate color.

[Read more…]