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Unplug and Rediscover Your Creativity: A No-Tech Week Adventure
Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a rut, going through the motions of life without any real passion or purpose, or even a misguided one? That's exactly how I felt before my partner and I decided to take a tech-free week in Idyllwild, California in late September 2022.
We disconnected from the digital world of smartphones and laptops and nixed distractions to create time and space for self-reflection. The result was life-changing.
Surrounded by nature in the peaceful and picturesque setting of Idyllwild, we were able to focus solely on ourselves, providing the opportunity for our passions to manifest themselves like never before.
For me, it was a chance to pick up a pencil and paper and draw for the first time in over 20 years. Although I had always felt a creative urge, I considered myself to be more of a ‘left-brained’ person – logical and analytical. But as I started to draw, something stirred within me. I may have only produced one picture on that trip, but it was significant. Despite its poor quality, the simple act of being artistic reawakened a spirit that had been dormant for almost my entire life.
Upon returning to LA, I immediately went to an art supply store and bought colored pencils and felt tip pens. Over the next few weeks, I explored my new-found passion without overthinking, just allowing myself to experience the sensation. It felt incredible, even if my creations were far from masterpieces. By November, I had tried charcoal, and under my partner's guidance, I moved on to oil pastels. Each new medium was a step towards eventually picking up a paintbrush, a prospect that still seemed daunting.
This newfound exploration was the perfect lead-in to my annual postcard book, which I share with friends and family. Typically, it's a collection of my photographs from the year, but this time I felt inspired to try something more challenging. Using my drawings, pastel pictures, and other images, I combined my early artwork with my photography to tell a more complete story in my latest book, “Blank Ground.”
In “Blank Ground”, I delve into the idea that every decision we make in life is like a brushstroke on the canvas of our existence. These choices, small and big, shape our identity and determine how we interact with the world around us.
Visit my website to purchase a limited copy of the book
The book was a turning point for me as it gave me the confidence to embark on the next stage of my artistic journey and try my hand at acrylic painting.
I challenged myself with a complex piece inspired by a picture my friend had shared with me from a once-in-a-lifetime motorcycle trip from Vicenza, Italy, to Dakar, Senegal. The image and significance of it jumped out to me right away, and I figured if I painted it successfully I could surprise him with it, and in failure I’d just chalk it up to practice and no one would ever need to know.
It turned out to be a success and I was so thrilled to gift it to my friend and see their reaction. They were completely surprised and overjoyed. What a feeling!
The triumph I experienced led to the creation of my first oil painting, a self-portrait named "Feed Your Head." This work serves as a testament to a crucial moment in my artistic process - the moment I sit before a blank canvas, imagining the intricate interplay of colors and shapes that would ultimately come together to tell a tale. The piece aims to capture the essence of that moment, and all the potential and excitement it now regularly holds
Now I’m in a rhythm and I have several paintings at different stages of completion at any given time, and I am constantly developing new ideas. Simply put, I’m insatiable.
This experience has affected me beyond just the canvas. It reminded me that taking a break from technology and the fast-paced world can be incredibly liberating and rejuvenating. It allowed me to reconnect with my inner self and to realize a life-changing passion.
So, if you're feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or creatively blocked, I highly recommend unplugging and trying something new. You never know, you might just awaken a dormant spirit within yourself.
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For more original art and photographs please visit my website.