In the latest issue of Where Woman Create (photo spread above), Rebecca Purcel had the following exercise for honing aesthetic skills:
"Find an object that you are immediately drawn to and deciper why it attrats you.Do NOT settle for 'I just like it!' Explore both the physical and psychologial affects, as well as every detail.You may be surprised with what you learn."
I think that this is a wonderful exercise and I have been trying to apply it to things that strike me. I find that I am drawn to old, torn, battered objects because they give me a sense of nostalgia (there is that word again - style statement post coming soon!). They comfort me, and help spur my imagination.
I also love pads, notebooks and journals - all sorts. While this is a more broad thing to look at, it helped me realzie something about myself. That I am sentimental, that I want to record all lifes moments to savor (or cry over) in the future. That I want to explore my own mind and expand my imagination.
The more I apply this exercise to my everyday life, the more I learn about myself and my art... have any of you tried it?
Hey Hope- I have never tired that before but I think I am going to. I am wanting to find my way and place too and I think this is great excercise to get going down that road. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Becky Caldwell | March 20, 2009 at 03:48 PM
Oh, how I love (loathe) journals, notebooks, etc., too!
Posted by: Jemellia | March 22, 2009 at 11:03 PM