 |
| Into the Night encaustic on birch 10x22 |
So I wanted to share some things today that I have recently found that allow my brain to quiet down and take a break from the whirl of stuff that flies about all day.
I have found two radio "stations" on Pandora that offer really great studio/art music. I tried to listen while driving and it really didn't do anything for me. I tend to like modern music that I can sing along to when driving. But, for studio time, this kind of electronica music seems to help me find that art zone. One is Plej and the other is Zero 7. Similar kinds of music, but something about the beat that works for me. You can search on Pandora in the new station option and find them there. For more studio music, I've discovered Kyrstyn Pixton - I stream off her website. I also love Mumford & Sons. Their new album Babel is on my wish list. What do you listen to during your creative time?
Also, Deepak Chopra is offering another free 21 Day Meditation challenge, starting Nov 5. I did this a few months ago and really loved it. Just 15 minutes in duration and it comes in your email each day. This is a new theme from the one I did before, so I am looking forward to it.
Also, for you budding writers out there.. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) starts on Nov. 1. Its a challenge to write a book/novel of 50,000 words in the month of November. There are 1000's of participants nation/world wide. I'm actually going to take a run at it. You can follow my word count on the right bar of my blog. I am MarjiT, so if you sign up - be sure to send me a NaNo mail so we can urge each other on. 50K words is a lot, not sure I'll be a winner - but I'll try. I figure its my chance to get writing an e-course or maybe that storyline that has been circling my brain for a while. This seems a little anti-brain quieting - but I see it as a opportunity to brain dump all those thoughts and words that need to get out. I'm going to have to find a way to balance it with painting time - but the two seem to compliment each other for me.
Thanks to all that visit here and those that leave comments. The inspiration that you provide to me is beyond words. It's Friday and you know what that means.... it's Party Time.
Dodge ball -- totally! That is it, what a great description! Zero 7 is my favorite zone out/creating music too. It's energizing yet chills me out at the same time.
ReplyDeletemy natural leaning is towards classical music. but at times, i love to listen to mellow pop as i paint so i could sing with it. i am looking forward to nanowrimo - signed up a month ago and couldn't wait. :) alpha shanahan #28
ReplyDeletebeautiful work, I love the texture of encaustic works!
ReplyDeleteGosh I can so relate about the overwhelm thing. I was at a networking lunch today and we discussed that my problem is not that I don't have enough ideas, but rather too many.... I never know where to start and end up not doing any!
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of music, I've recently discovered Snatum Kaur - wonderful relaxing music for art making, but then again sometimes I need something upbeat depending on my mood!
Very interesting site with great colors, I love that delicious paint exquisite composition.
ReplyDeleteLove your Racoons skipping along!! Love the action in this new work!! This style becomes you~
ReplyDeleteI hear you about being overloaded!!Sometimes I just need total peace...when I was young I always had music on every minute I could!! We have Mumford and sons and love their albums!! You may also like Avett Brothers and Ray Lamontange!! I listen to a plethora of music....love indie music, it often takes a long while to play on the radio!! Great post!!
Hugs Giggles
Terrific painting, it has such a great feel and movement to it. Happy PPF, Annette x
ReplyDeleteMarji, I love the way the colors play on each other. Beautiful work. I don't work with music, but I may check out your links to see what it does for me.
ReplyDeleteLove the racoons and the dynamic power to this piece ~lovely ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^
ReplyDeletethanks for coming by and commenting ^_^
Great painting, fabulous colors and textures and fun, original subject, good composition, I like it a lot.
ReplyDeleteI am participating to Deepak Chopra's meditation challenge, too. I've done it twice before , but last time I missed the last week, because I was traveling and I will this time, too... :(
I listen to all kinds of music, but mostly I choose chill+indie on 8 Tracks , love the surprises and new finds! :)
Fabulous raccoon painting!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the music suggestions, too, for the studio.
I love listening to music when I paint.
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
WoW, an exciting an lovely colorful painting, so fun with the racoons running there! =)
ReplyDeleteI like meditation music and also classic.. classic when I'm painting, but I nearly always forget to play it :)) Next time.. Meditation music is also good, especially when I lie on the bench we have for meditation and relaxation, I also have a nail mat that I really do love! =)
Now I'll visit your links and music..
Lovely textures in your painting Marji. Thanks for dropping by. Happy PPF.
ReplyDeleteRadical running racoons! Really radian colors...okay I'm so nerdy, I know! SO SO beautiful lots of energy. I love your work. Thanks for all the music advice, I will go check out some of those song now....I'm so excited to see what everyone is up to this week. I love all the inspiration....feeds my soul. Lucky to have you guys!
ReplyDeleteI don't really listen to music when I paint but I'll check out those Pandora stations...I like to listen to mellow music when I work because it involves math and some music is too distracting. Lovely raccoons, although they are terrible pests around here, knocking the trach cans over every night.
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF!
Rita
I totally LOVE your encaustic raccoons! How wonderful and alive they are! I live in a country where Pandora isn't 'allowed' dang darn it all...but when I'm in the States, I listen to Yanni radio. I'll look forward to reading your novel-ette.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful..your pieces are so unique and carry such strength...outstanding..love the movement of these gorgeous masked creatures..awesome!Such talent my friend!
ReplyDeleteWonderful sharings..yes it is good to quiet the mind or calm heightened sensitivities..took me many years to find my perfect harmony..but also good to channel extra-sensitivity in a creative way!Enjoy all your new pursuits..yay!!Congrats!!
Shine on!
Victoria
I know what you mean about the over load of the senses. I get that from too much reading on the computer, drawing, painting, and concentration. I love Pandora I use it when I paint. You are the 2nd person today that mentioned Zero 7, I guess that means I need to try it.
ReplyDeleteI love the raccoon's it is a lively, fun painting. Nice job!
Have a great weekend.
I actually did write a book for NaNoWriMo in a month about 3 years ago. Forgot about that- now you remind me-must go try to find it again. Happy PPF.
ReplyDeleteI just signed up for the meditation challenge! I'm really looking forward to it. I live your painting and thanks for the music tips. I find it that the music I listen to really affects how I'm painting. Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteHi Marji! Beautiful painting! Wow, thanks for all the wonderful information...I already listen to Zero 7 Radio...found it on a whim one day. Just added the other station now as well. Oh, and I also love the other 2 you mentioned...thanks! I just signed up for the 21 day meditation too...Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteoh wow wow wow!!!! your encaustic work is amazing....I love this piece ....every time I see a raccoon I think of my Grandfather that passed away...wonderful work and thank you for reminding me to think of him....
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about your brain being 'on' - at the moment I am just exhausted by mine! The only time I truly switch off is when I paint. I love your painting - they look like they up to no good! x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work! I really love the strong bright colours and texture in your work it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI like to listen to the Blues and Roots channel when I work it plays all sorts of stuff Mumford and Sons included I love them too. They played in our city last night but I missed out on getting tickets :0(
Happy Paint Party Friday :0)
I love your racoooons....I love smoooooth jazz in the studio....great beat...reminds me of cooool beach breezes. I wish Pandora would come in in Europe:( but internet radio saves me most days with all the smoooooth jazz stations I can find. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm joining the Deepak's meditation, too. Hope I'll be better at it this time around. :)Love your racoons. Awesome layers showing through.
ReplyDeletethis is awesome, the colors and the textures are great! How do you get that much texture into your paintings?? I love it!
ReplyDeleteLovely racoons with great texture! I discovered Kyrstyn Pixton during Flora's workshop and I love her! I turned it on everytime I painted, and now whenever I hear that music I just have to paint ☺ Although now I tend to alternate it with Heather Nova. Good luck on writing your 50000 words!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Marji. Thanks for sharing all. I can definitely relate to the "bombardment" as well, but mine is mostly internal. A bazillion ideas... LOVE your piece! Really outstanding and perfectly titled. Best of luck to you on future endeavors. Following along :)
ReplyDeleteMarji your racoon encaustic is fabulous!! I've never heard of the music you mentioned-I'll check it out. And thank you too for sharing the Deepak Chopra challenge-I really like him but wasn't aware of this. Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteYour work is very strong, the texture and color close to ground. Saludos
ReplyDeleteI really like this painting, you did a great job capturing their movement.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that everyone likes music playing when they paint. I prefer it quiet. When my husband is home he has music playing constantly. I find it so distracting that I have to have earphones and white noise to try and drown it out.
See how they run! Great textures and background to your running raccoons. I'll watch your progress on the novel- a great undertaking! You go girl!
ReplyDeleteI can relate with the artistic stimulation - I am always seeing things in terms of how would I paint it and adding it to my mental list of things to try. getting round to ticking any of these things of the list is a totally different matter however! I like to just have my iPod on shuffle while I paint - I have a pretty eclectic taste in music from P!nk, to the Eagles, 70s disco, a bit of Patsy Cline at times and 80s hair bands although Train and Maroon 5 are never far from my playlist as well!
ReplyDeleteand I was so busy talking about music I forgot to say how much I love this piece - it reminds me on a much more detailed and colourful version of ancient cave wall art - I think it is the movement of the raccoons.
ReplyDeleteThis post was a really good read. I might do nannowrimo....and thanks for the music advice.
ReplyDelete:)
xx
Marji
ReplyDeleteI would like to ask you a couple of questions and i can't find your email address.
Would you contact me at sadesigns@live.co.uk, then I will be able to contact you
x
I always say I need time to unplug...I feel so overwhelmed because of the same reason...
ReplyDeleteYour painting is so rich and dense - those creatures are definitely on a mission. Great art!
ReplyDeleteAnd I like Mumford and Sons too - my pilates teacher plays their music sometimes (pilates that I have been absent from for weeks!!).
I love your raccoons - wandering through a beautiful evening like the little thieves they are...
ReplyDeleteGood luck w NaNoWriMo! Such a challenge, indeed.
Those raccoons are really neat - I like how they move!
ReplyDeleteI usually listen to Native American music while I'm in the studio. But often times I don't put any music on but open the window and listen to the birds in my garden - there's quite a lot going on there!
Oh my goodness! THis is absolutely gorgeous - so full of color and energy! And I always listen to talk radio - it's fun to hear what others listen to while creating, thank you :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you stopped by my blog because it means I found yours! I love your artwork and look forward to exploring more of your blog. Thanks also for the "brain breaks." I love Deepak Chopra, so I'll sign up for the meditations. The novel challenge sounds good, too. Not sure I'm up for it right now...although it's been another of my dreams to write a novel for as long as I can remember! Nice to "meet" you!
ReplyDeleteCindy