Art as Journey - Tim Houghton

Documenting the next four days

2010-04-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to try to document this four day journey, as much as anything for myself, to see how I use my time, what takes priority, what should happen (but gets let go and infact, never happens) and as a way of keeping myself on track.
So, how much time will I infact spend painting?
Also - I have over 20 paintings in very various stages of completion. Will I finish any of these? I feel some pressure to actually get some paintings finished, so I can move on.
First, though to the garage, which needs lots of work to get it anywhere near ready to be considered "a studio". And, of course, this is my least favourite part of the day, but hopefully will give me a lot of satisfaction when it is completed.

To be creative, or to be disciplined?

2010-04-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

There seems to be two sides to this process of painting, two different approaches; the "fun", creative, rebel, chaotic side of art that throws out all boundaries and rules, and says; just paint, just let the creativity roll, it doesn't matter what happens...
...and the discipline side of art which says it's important to maintain goals, a sense of direction and what needs to happen in order to reach the targets I have set for myself. As the old saying goes (I think!?) if you never aim at anything, you will hit it all the time. This side of the painting process acknowledges craft, knowing your paint, paper, brushes, the way colors mix and interact, the importance of being in control, and controlling the painting process.

And of course, the right way is...

Start of 4-day Easter holidays; time to paint!

2010-04-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

This morning is the start of our 4-day Easter holiday in New Zealand! So excited...four days to get my "studio" - actually the garage - cleaned up, organized as my painting space and ready to go. Then, I have to actually paint (always the first thing to go out the window without self discipline!) and take photos of my finished art ready to start posting on this blog and my web site.
So this blog is about both the "outter journey" (to other countries and places) and the "inner journey", not in a new-agey way, more about my attempts to discipline myself to work, to find ways not only of creating art but of selling it, marketing it, doing some good quality video tutorials and generally being more professional about getting my paintings out there, in as many ways as I can, where people can actually see them.
Like most artists, I love the peace of working quietly alone, to my own music, at my own pace, in my own space. This stands in contrast with the "other side" of art, which is promoting and making it public, visible (and therefore open to criticism).

The start of my journey

2010-03-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

Join me on my journey to creating the most beautiful art I am capable of making. Along the way I learn by making mistakes, and throwing away more than I make. It's a tough road, and often a frustrating one, but I want to be honest about the successes and failures I experience as I keep on painting!