Finding the Zen in my Work

by Staci L. Smith

I love what I do.  I really do.  However, it is still work, and there are times I just want a day off.  Or I don't want to paint another bead!!!!  Or edit another picture!

But last week, as I was carving my black beads, and doodling on my Zen Doodle Beads, and drawing tiny details on my scrimshaw beads, I realized, that is my happy place.  That is my zen.  I could carved and draw patterns and doodles for hours on end, and still want to do more when I am done.

I never really understood zen until I found it painting my studio floor.  I am sure I still don't fully understand, but to me, it was my zen.

(remember this?)

It really was sort of meditative to me.  My mind is always on overdrive.  I am not one who can clear it, or relax by just sitting.  I cannot focus while still.

I found if my hands are moving, my mind is more clear.  I only think about the lines, the flow, the feel. 

As I painted my floor last year, I painted designs into it that made me thing of friends and family, and as I painted, I said little prayers for them in my mind.

So as I was in the throws of endless bead production this week, it felt good to realize how much I love this aspect, because I think we all get into slumps at times.

(painting and painting and painting and painting)

Its nice to have that one thing that is relaxing, yet keeps you working.  Eventually, creative energy, a spark, motivation, will follow. 

I particularly loved carving.  My body did not quite agree with me, (tendonitis) but it recovered quickly enough. 

(side note on carving beads, they are small and it is hard or near impossible to not cut toward yourself.  I borrowed this finger guard from my son, and it really sped up production.  and its definitely more relaxing when you are not worried about cutting yourself the whole time)

Then, drawing these scrimshaw like beads, I was in heaven. I even made an extra batch, just so I could mindlessly draw more!!!!

Then, my floor inspired doodles, which are bigger and more bold then my scrimshaw ones....they allow the whimsical nature to come through.  

Now, when I have a stressful day, I wish I could just doodle all over the house, until my walls are non-stop art, filled with my therapy!  Maybe I can just start with one wall................maybe...............

So, what is your zen?  Your happy place?  Do you find it while you are doing something?  Or do you have quiet time to refresh and inspire you?



Artist Zen

by Staci L. Smith

 

I have always been an artist, even before I knew what that was.  I was happiest making things, or with a pencil or pen in my hand drawing something.  I used to doodle on everything.  everything.  Nothing was left uncovered.  I drew all over my notebooks, my friends notebooks and when we got older, I drew on my friends with sharpies to make fake tattoos. 

 

 

Bead and jewelry making is something I LOVE, but I do miss drawing and painting.  I love having a brush in my hand, feeling the paint smooth on, layer after layer, stroke after stroke.  I especially like when I can work big.  There is something released when I can use my entire arm, and body to create giant movements that turn to art in front of me. 

 

If you read my personal blog, you will know I am in the middle of a studio re-vamp.  It kinda came out of nowhere, since the hubs was around this week.  So we dove right in.

 

We ripped up the carpet and he built me strong workbenches around two walls.  Due to lack of funds and time, we just left the sub floor as is.  I didn't mind, since I'd be ruining it most likely anyway (I am not a tidy artist).

 

Here it was with the sub floor left as is.

 

 

I am not big into decorating and making things matchy and such things, but it just didn't feel right to me.  So I went to get some black paint to cover the ugly 2x4's we used on the frame of my tables. 

 

I had been thinking of painting the floor.  Wasn't sure how it would work or anything, but thought I'd try it out- I mean, I was surrounded by paint in Lowes, how could I not want to paint more stuff?

 

So I got a nice brown grey, and painted a layer on the sub floor.  But it looked sooooo blah, it was too thin, it still showed all the imperfections.

 

So I doodled it.  I took the leftover black paint and just went to town.  The experience, which I want to share, was wonderful.

 

 

I put on some really good singer songwriter music, and got my paintbrush and paint, and just started doodling.  I loved being able to paint so large, to just go free form, with endless room to  take each new idea and design.  I could have done this endlessly (if my body co-operated more- sitting on the floor hunched over that long took its toll on me). 

 

 

I loved going over the strokes again and again, since the floor is rough, I had to make sure each line was really coated.

 

 

As the floor filled with swirls and squiggles, designs and dots, I felt such a smile inside, no other way to explain it, just happy. 

 

I took time with some area's, letting them design themselves. 

 

 

Others area's got deliberate designs, or symbols, as I thought of people I cared for, or situations that I am going through.

 

 

It was so meditative.  No thought required, no work,.  Unlike with jewelry, there are mechanics to figure out.  This was mind freeing.  It was simple, and pure and I enjoyed it with every ounce of my body and soul.

 

 

I know that there is zentangle now, but they just finally put a name to what so many have been doing forever.  If you like zentangle, I recommend trying it with paint.  It just flows, the brush engages your whole body. 

 

 

Now I hope the floor is not too distracting.  I want to just stare at it.  I hope looking at it proves as meditative as creating it.

 

I also hope it holds up.  I put no finish on it, and it is only latex paint.  But the floor is bumpy, so I hope that helps it to stick.  I didn't want to use any kind of finish in the house- (we have birds and frogs and kids with asthma.)

 

I will let you know in 6 months how it held up. 

 

So there you have it, I did NOT expect to find zen in a studio remodel.