Art and Life

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Post #27 Are you creative?

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:31:00 +0000

Are you creative? Many times, we can look at a work of art and say to ourselves, wow! that artist is so creative! how did they ever think of that?

We see this creativity as a sort of gift, something bestowed upon only a few select members of society. and to a certain extent, this may very well be the case. However, I believe it is possible to foster creativity at every level. If you are a beginning artist or designer, what you may really need are some good work habits (see post below). Some type of discipline where you will just crank out a whole bunch of stuff. If you draw a tree and a dog, you may ask youself -

what if the tree were bigger? smaller? on the left? on the right? close to the dog? far from the dog? what is the picture plane was horizontal? vertical? what if the dog was this way? or that way? this is a good conversation to have with oneself when creating something.

So these are practical thoughts.

but I believe the most important creative tool you have is, obviously, your mind. Now the question becomes, how do I take this mind, and allow it to be free, to run in circles, to be open to be receptive to the flow of ideas?

Letting the mind quiet down allows your creativity to come to the surface. Artists have a studio for a reason - it’s not just so we have a place to put all our art stuff - its so we have a place to think - a place where we can let the mind simmer down, quiet down. A place where we can listen to our inner drawing, and let it come out.

Now couple a little quiet time with some good work habits, and before you know it, you’ll be cranking stuff out.

Now imagine you were just as creative about your everyday life as you were with your art? What would that look like?

I believe we are all creative people, some express this through art, some through fashion, some through home decor, some through words, some through food, or whatever.

You have this creativity within you - know this. and don’t just yeah yeah me - because what i am telling you is the truth. You are creative. So quiet that mind down, experiment a little, and you will see your creativity come through in ways you never even imagined.

Post #26 good work habits

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:15:00 +0000

Very often I will have an idea for a painting, and I can see it perfectly clear before it is even made. I can see the colors, I can see where everything would be placed. So sure, I could go ahead and execute this idea, and probably end up with something halfway decent, or I could do what I actually do - which is draw it out - and make 25 different versions of it.

When you are designing something, or constructing a composition for something, I think one of the most important qualities any artist can possess is to be open to change, and to be willing to experiment. Being able to discipline yourself to not just go with your gut, but to try out many many different arrangements, helps break down barriers in the mind. It also forms as a training device for when you have a creative block. You may end up doing a comp, and then ten variations of this comp. This is a good working habit.

There are so many possibilities and ways to achieve a successful image. Taking the long way down the path sometimes allows you to find the most useful way to do so.

So the challenge here, is to keep playing and keep pushing yourself.

In life, we may ask ourselves - do we always see the end of something as a predetermined destiny? Do we only see it one way? And only having one ending? Or do we allow ourselves to have variations, knowing that there are many ways that life can happen?

It has been said that we become unhappy because our reality does not align with our predetermined idea of how life should be. That if we actually appreciate life as it is, that you will achieve happiness. Well, that's what they say anyways..... (bartender, can I get a drink over here? )

So art or life, your choice, allow yourself variations, take the time to experiment, and yes, go with your gut, but be willing to change, be willing to play, be willing to take the long road, and know that there are many many possibilities waiting for you. yes, I mean YOU!

post #25 let go

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:38:00 +0000

As some of you may know, I have been perma-loaning some older paintings out. This has been a win win situation because it gets a work of art out into the world, and it clears a whole bunch of space for all the new work I have been making the past few years.

Artistically, I was thinking how freeing, absolutely freeing it is, to just release these older works out into the world without any agenda, without any regulation, designation, hidden agenda or other such nonsense.

And now I am wondering why it is so difficult, and challenging, to let go of LIFE's old mental junk. Why does it still clamor in our heads? We can easily part with that old painting or old sweater that no longer serves us - why can't we part ways with old thought patterns or things in our past as easily? After all, most of the things we are clinging to don't even exist in the physical realm. None of them tangible, yet so difficult to truly, really let go.

So I offer up my old though patterns, my box of mental junk from the past, to be free, to go out into the world. And in doing so, allow much more room for what I have now.

wow! this sounds like an excellent plan, doesn't it?

post #24 change is a coming

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:11:00 +0000

A girl steps into her large backyard. The sun suddenly dips behind a cloud and a strong wind blows in from the east. A bird squawks in the background, and the girl whips her head to the right to get a better look. A close-up reveals a slight look of panic in her eyes. We pan over to the long tall grass, which is blowing in the breeze. Somewhere in the background, we hear a dog barking. Back to the girl, she buttons up her sweater and quickly goes inside.

If this were a movie, you would know that a something strange was a brewing, and change is near, or something is about to happen.....

Ok, so it's not really a movie, its life, and art, and both are calling out to me. Both have their wind on my back, and both are cackling at me.

I can see this and I can hear it. I am aware of this big hairball tumbling by. Now, what do do about it is anyone's guess - but i think it can only lead to an interesting development in the studio, and an interesting development in life.

stay tuned......

I am just as curious as you to see what happens

post #23 your new year is NOW

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:11:00 +0000

Friends, it is time. So often we look at the calendar, and see that old year go, and new year come, and judge ourselves harshly and accordingly as to what we have or have not accomplished. This can often be a negative process - and who needs that?

Well folks, the good news is you can change your negative into a positive - starting NOW!

What if there was no new year, no old year? What if every day you awoke, you declared it a new day, brand new? What if you approached this new day thinking everything is possible, there are no limitations?

Imagine no limitations at all, in anything.

So wake yourself up tomorrow and just declare this day to be the start of the best day of your life. And do that every day, thus making each and every day filled with limitless possibilities, and every day better than the next, simply because you decided it to be so.

After all, you are creating your own world in your mind, why not make it a good one?

And as for artwork, why not let that be limitless and ever expanding? growing, always changing, ever evolving - that sounds like some good work you got there!

Post #22 - large swimming painting available

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:37:00 +0000

This HUGE swimming painting is available for permanant loan to anyone with a good home!

This super large swimming painting (measures 95" wide by 65" tall) could be in your home or office!

ME: providing you a custom work of art on permanant loan basis

YOU: will need to rent a uhaul to get it, and have a giant wall available

contact me if interested

Post #21 Farewell, dear jeans!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:26:00 +0000

I regret to inform everyone of the passing of my favorite pair of jeans.

These jeans came to me about 5 years ago, free, from the "giveaway table" at work. Miraculously, they fit perfectly, and became my #1 go to pair of jeans. I've worn them religiously since then, or better phrased, wore them like it was a religion.

At approximately 10am, I discover a large un-repairable gash in the backside, where the denim literally wore itself out. A tear was brought to my eye, but I knew this day would happen, so I have chosen to face it with strength and dignity.

I am very thankful for the time we have shared together, and I will never forget the special role my lovely jeans have played in my life.

What i was thinking is kind if nice is that now i have some extra room in my dresser drawer. Room for something new. I got what i needed from these jeans, and i feel complete about moving forward in my life without them.

I was thinking about this in relation to the studio - although i have experimented with different styles - i have been able to let certain things go, and make room for the new stylistic decisions when appropriate. It makes the work better.

In life, maybe you have held on to certain idea of beliefs, and maybe they served you well at some point. But maybe its time to let them go, and make room for some new ones. Just because they served you well in the past, doesn't mean you necessarily need them now.

So maybe think back to those beliefs - one of my favorite advice givers suggested that, for example, telling children "don't talk to strangers" maybe be appropriate at that time - however, it is not necessarily appropriate as we grow older - if we kept this belief we would have a very isolated and lonely life, no?

so be it the jeans, be it artistic styles, be it your thought patterns, can you value what has served you well in the past, but be willing to let go and make space for whatever newness you may need for your present?

post #21 my 10 minutes of fame

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:58:00 +0000

I was recently visited and interviewed in my studio by Ginger Shulick, from the Council of the Arts and Humanities of Staten Island. Ginger hosts interviews with Staten Island artists regularly, and is also an independent curator. You can view the video here:

Arts Scene 6 from kenneth Paul Media on Vimeo.

Post #20 waterproof and shockproof

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:03:00 +0000

Ever since I was a teenager, I have been wearing a Swatch brand watch. My swatch is waterproof and shockproof. I can shower and swim with it, and it still works great. I can smash it into a wall, or let it drop on the floor, and it continues to function perfectly.

Inspired by my love of the swatch, I asked myself, Can I be waterproof and shockproof? Can my art be waterproof and shockproof? Can I be unruffled, and remain true to myself, no matter what? Can I be so strong internally that nothing can touch me?

So no matter what life has thrown at me, be it the smallest of things, or the biggest of things, can I be made so well, made so very very well, that I remain completely intact and work just fine - just like my swatch?

and in the studio, making the art that I make - can that practice, and its result also be as waterproof and shockproof? Can it still function perfectly even thru adverse conditions? Is it so strong, - and its not even the work that i am talking about here, but more the intent, - that it can just be its own thing? and just continue to go, and go, and GO?

as you can see, there's lots of question marks punctuating this little entry, so obviously, I am still pondering the thought, but its a good thought to have - and good thoughts are always welcome in the house of Jenna.

Post #19 by the time i got to woodstock...........

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Post #18 free and clear

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:03:00 +0000

So, I was reminded today of the concept of being free and clear.

In the studio, you want to acknowledge that the work you make comes from your experience, your work history, your training. But, can you walk into the studio each day and let yourself be free and clear of all that has happened in previous work sessions, and approach that days' work session completely free and clear? Its actually quite tough. We artists have our favorite habits, our favorite materials, our favorite elements, our style, and yes, we do want consistancy in our work - but yet, can you say hello to all that, but let yourself make stuff that is free and clear of everything else? it is quite the challenge because your past is literally looking at you while you work.

In your life, can you do the same? believe it or not, it somehow seems a bit easier. Each day we wake up, and sure, we are influenced by our background, our upbringing, and whatever has happened in previous days - but can we approach each day freely and clearly? Can you be new to yourself and your life? Now some people may like to thing of this as living in the moment, living in the now, but I actually think its a bit different. Maybe it is a choice that when you wake up that day, that it is a new day in every sense. So can you approach that day free and clear of whatever happened previously? Can you let you mind be free and clear? can you in fact, tell, or rather- train, your brain to be free and clear?

free and clear, this is my dog, I'll ask her what advice she may give!

Post #17 the five best

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:46:00 +0000

Of course, i am in the studio these days - always good - and drawing has been particularly on my mind. I asked myself what makes a drawing successful to me? and usually, its the quality of line. I decided to take a long hard look around the studio, identify my five favorite lines, and from now on, to use only those 5 best lines in my drawings.

so why not apply this concept, and more appropriately i may add, to our brain?

I ask you - imagine if you were only allowed to have 5 thoughts in your head at a time - what would those five thought be? would you waste one of them on "I can't believe that guy cut me off!" or would you rather have one of your five be "Love surrounds me" or "My body is a good healthy body"

Now the exercise, and it really is exercise because the brain is a muscle that can be trained -

is to only allow yourself 5 thoughts into your brain. So choose your five, and make them the best.

Only the best!

Post #16 hmm....not much to say

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:05:00 +0000

so its a nice, long, not so hot summer and like many of you, I am enjoying a more leisurely way of life these days. Fairly relaxed in general, with not too much of an agenda.

I am in the studio very regularly, and am working on some paintings. However, I thought I would use this summer as an opportunity to explore something new and different for me - a new series of drawings.

So here I am, working on these drawings, which in and of themselves will be complete works of art - and guess what? I am not so sure what's going on with them. They may have potential, or they may just be total crap. The most important thing is i have decided to give myself time to just play around, no agenda, no goal, and see what happens. To step outside of my own comfort zone, and to let my studio time just be as it is, without it necessarily being result oriented.

Of course I am going to ask you to apply this same principle to your life. Imagine approaching your life without an agenda, without a destination, imagine allowing your life to take its own shape - be it better, worse, whatever. No judgement on whatever it may be.

What i am hoping both for life and the art, is that through time and letting things develop as they should, what i need to know will rise to the surface and it will be this that i catch in my little net and examine a bit more closely.

happy summer!

sunbock

swimming

half iced tea/half lemonade

fun adventures

all good stuff

Post #15 the benefits of a white wall

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:51:00 +0000

So, maybe you stopped by or heard about it but for the past two weekends I was able to participate in Art By The Ferry - where a whole bunch of S.I. artists were able to take over vacant real estate and show our work. Good work, good people. Good use of empty real estate.

One thing I found really helpful was to see my work outside of the studio, on a white wall, properly displayed. It really gave me a new insight into the work, and I was able to recontextualize some of the ideas I have been working with. It really made me see my ideas and visuals more objectively, which is a very good thing. I know it will only help my work in the future, and it reminds me to take some pieces out of the studio every once and awhile and see how they do.

If you have a studio like I do, its a working space, which means its a little sloppy, a little dirty, and you've got crap all over the place. So you can understand why its sometimes difficult to see your piece as it really is.

Then I was thinking, hey what if you took some of your life "issues" and put them on a white wall, so to speak. If you were to isolate that thing, and truly examine it, would it have the same weight as you had previously thought? Would you see it in a different way once it was by itself and not all mumbled up with everything else? would it be easier to understand and deal with just the one thing? So be it something good, be it something not so good. Hang it on the wall, and examine it all by itself. See what changes for you.

POST #14 ART BY THE FERRY

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:15:00 +0000

I will be exhibiting a few works at Staten Island's annual Art by the Ferry festival.

June 6,7 and June 13, 14

11am-6pm

120 Stuyvesant Place

more info at www.artbytheferry.org

This is a great opportunity to visit Staten Island and get a feel for the arts community. There will be many many visual artists', musicians, and other events happening all within walking distance of the Staten Island Ferry (In fact, there is stuff happening ON the ferry as well).

So, COME BY AND VISIT!

I will be displaying at the 120 Stuyvesant Pl. location and am honored to be exhibiting with Michael Falco, Griselda Healy, Bill Murphy and Lazarus Nazario

Post #13, ODE to coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:22:00 +0000

ODE to coffee

oh coffee, I miss you already

your dark, rich, warmth

your comfort

your ability to perk me up

oh coffee, we've spent much time together

you've seen me through it all

you see me in the morning

and make an occassional appearance in the afternoon

oh coffee, you've helped me

you wake me up

you excite me

you motivate me

yet, coffee, you deceive me

you make me jittery

and i cannot get thru a day without you

your addiction is unhealthy

oh, coffee, you are always on my mind

your sweetness, your comfort

yet, oh coffee, you hold me hostage in your grip

oh coffee, i think of you often

but dear friend,

i am very sad to say, it is time for me to say good bye to you

i am moving on, dear coffee

oh coffee, i miss you already

Post #12 the business of art, the business of life

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sun, 17 May 2009 20:08:00 +0000

So yesterday I was able to attend the NYFA (New York Foundation of the Arts nyfa.org) conference - the business of art. This was a multi-panel all day event. Covered were discussions about being an artist in today's recession, redefining and sustaining yourself as an artist, as well as very practical matters such as legal forms and contracts, and good financial advice from my personal favorite speaker of the day Susan Lee (http://www.freelancetaxation.com/). Ms Lee also hosts a radio show on WBAI. She was both entertaining and informative, and reminded us of some practical and legal tax issues we, as artists (thus business people), face.

I think my favorite part was that she was able to bridge the gap between who we are as artists and some of the choices that go into that. I am sure she was asking these questions from a financial viewpoint, but we could see them in general context - we asked ourselves:

What are your goals?

How can you arrange your life to always make art?

How do I manage?

Should my expectations change?

How do you define success?

Now, i would ask you to sit down and really and truly answer those questions for yourself and you may be very surprised at what you find out. so do that, and don't worry I won't be asking for your answers or looking over your shoulder to see what you have written down.

I won't go through the whole list but for me the first question was quite powerful because it sort of sets the groundwork for everything else.

My goals: for one year, 5 years, 10 years, guess what? it's all the same - live a true and happy life, make art, swim. Pretty basic, yet all encompassing at the same time. Ironic to see myself having such a general view of it all since in general i am fairly detailed. And one would surmise that if I were true and happy, that the byproduct would bring about almost everything else that would ever need to happen or be. And that by default, the expectations would automatically shift, thus my success would be redefined by going back to that one idea of being true to myself, and finding some happiness along the way.

Another thing that I was reminded of throughout the day - and i have been thinking this for quite some time - is that whatever it is, your art, your relationship, your job, your housing, etc - you have to make it your own. You can't look to A B or C - you have to find your own way to understand something, your own way to make peace with it, and your own way to make it truly special and truly yours. This may mean letting go of societies expectations of you, letting go of some preconceived notion of success, being willing to change.

So take your life, your love, your yoga practice, your swim, yourself, and really make it yours - and in doing so there is your business, your true success.

and don't forget that schedule C............

Post #11 - the sweet smell of rejection

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:24:00 +0000

If you are an artist, you are probably all too familiar with the following statement:

We regret to inform you that your work has not been selected for the blabidy blah blah.....we found your work both interesting and intriguing but due to the large number of applicants are unable to offer you a whatever at this time......

On the art side, you've heard the expression try try and try again, and this really is so true, and really helpful to remember. As someone who has been on both the application side, as well as the panel side of a grant/application process - there's so much involved in how these decisions get made. True, good work often is reflected, but often good work is also passed over for any number of reasons. So, fellow artists, don't loose faith, and do try try try again.

OK, truth be told I am writing this blog to myself after receiving two rejections on one day and to remind myself that this is all part of the plan.

And speaking of that plan, sometimes we do not know what life has in store for us, and its kind of a nice thought that maybe everything is happening as it should be happening, and that in time, all that needs to happen will happen in the order in which it should happen.

I am thinking of my life, and its funny how in retrospect how much damn sense it all makes, that it is exactly as it should be. BUT I laugh at myself for having to remind myself of this fact when the daily stuff makes you ask why this is happening, or that is not happening.

anyways......

for those of you reading:

I am happy to inform you that your LIFE has been selected to be the best life ever, if YOU choose to make it so. By accepting the best life ever, you embrace the fact that not every day is perfect, that life is crazy, that change both happens and doesn't happen at unexpected times, and that in the bigger larger picture, it all is as it should be.

would you like to accept this offer?

Post #10 new in the studio

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:46:00 +0000

So, i did two dyptichs with Spot observing his new/old environment (see post from a few weeks ago for the other one)- and maybe the jury's still out on this mini series, but it'll do for now.

I am also starting a new slew of work, which is fairly exciting, and definitly keeps my brain working full time. Warmer weather will also be better for studio in terms of warmth and drying time and all that technical biz.

I spend alot of time thinking about the concept of living a life that is truly yours, just for you, the real deal, being your truest self. For me this is so very important, and many of my decisions over the past few years have revolved around this search, for it really is a search. I think I am getting closer and closer, and its a really good thing, like, really good. Try it sometime.

Post #9 the benefits of googling yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:20:00 +0000

So, as many of you are aware, I've offered my older series of swimming paintings to people as a permanant loan. One of the places where I have a listing is the Fine Art Adoption Network. What's really funny about this site is that I have gotten many many responses, and lots of people relaying some type of swimming story or memory, but the works have yet to be adopted.

So, bored as I am this evening, and yes, admittedly watching dancing with the stars while writing emails, looking at sales at speedo's online site, and in general flaking around, I decided to google myself.

For those of you who haven't done this, its quite interesting what turns up.

I was pleasantly surprised to see my work was chosen as a representative for the interview FAAN founder Adam Simon gave to Time Out.

You can read the article by following the link below:

Post #8 Living with less

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:13:00 +0000

So, here we are, and everywhere you look people are talking about our economy and the idea of "living with less"

This is an area I've been exploring for quite some time - so really I am way ahead of the whole curve. See, there is a first time for everything!

Here's the Jenna Lucente "living with less" thought process and application of thought process:

In the art:

I've been playing around with the question of "how much visual information do i really need?". I am always trying to distill down my imagery, my landscape, so that only the basic elements are shown. I am being concise about what is portrayed and in what way. Its amazing what only a few key elements can do. They can dictate focus, narrative, and leave the viewer asking for more and only wondering why less can be more (as one reviewer put it)

In life:

As an artist who is still in the beginning of her career, as an artist who has chosen to make art above many other things, living with less has been a theme for quite some time. So maybe that means instant oatmeal made in the studio for breakfast, maybe it means quitting coffee just to save $1 a day. Spending money on only what is absolutely necessary so that the money you do have can go toward studio rent, art supplies, and maybe working less, so you have more time to make art. If you ask me, or many other artists, you'll find that they have been living this way for a long long time, and guess what? we've all survived somehow or other. Granted, maybe not the most ideal circumstances, but getting by nonetheless. Now that the general population is doing the same you can remember that its usually the artists who start these trends in fashion, housing, neighborhoods, lifestyle, living with less or whatever may be. SO hopefully, many others will do the same, and in that action, save some money, some water, some natural resources, etc.

Post #7 Staten Island Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:50:00 +0000

Hello everyone - please check out the group show at the Staten Island Museum. My painting "Barndogs" will be hanging out there until the end of May 2009. There are many other fantastic Staten Island based artists in the show so do check it out. More info at www.statenislandmuseum.org

Post #6 - daily heller is good

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:12:00 +0000

For this blog, I am taking the spotlight off myself and my own ramblings and directing you over to Design Guru Steve Heller - and his blog - Daily Heller

there's two particular entries to take a look at

1) his blog entry which talks about the Shepard Fairy Obama hope poster - this deals with permission and re-appropriation issues (blog post from Wed, Feb 11)

2) his blog entry which talks about something very American - Tropicana Orange Juice - and relevant to us visual people - the redesign of the packaging. There's a HUGE response - so do check it out! (blog post from Wed, Feb 4)

check out http://blog.printmag.com/dailyheller/

Post #5 see spot

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:02:00 +0000

So, I think we have a new addition to the family - this diptych - oil on panel -

I am thinking of a title, maybe something like "Spot observes now and then" or maybe "Spot and moss experience life together" or maybe "See Spot. See Spot then, See Spot now."

name suggestions anyone?

PS - not entirely sure this piece is done or not!