Jody Hollier, photographer, artist, writer...an introduction...

I am pleased to feature artist and colleague, Jody Hollier, on this week's blog.   A talented professional, Jody's photos are insightful, warm and relevant. She captures images we probably all see... but somehow don't register as significant of touching beauty.  I recommend you visit Jody's sites and support her as an artist.  I asked Jody to talk about herself and her work in an Artist Statement.   

Side note: Jody is the daugher of Judy Salamacha, a well-known community member, now living on the central coast

Jody Hollier
Artist Statement

After the rain, 8x8 photograph, JA Hollier

I grew up in Bakersfield, California, and at 18, life's adventures led me to Louisiana, where I attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and received a Bachelor's of Fine Arts.

My artwork reflects my fascination with details- the varied colors and forms of metal, the grace of a rain drop clinging to a berry and the many images that surround us and often go by unnoticed in the hurry of living. It is my intent to draw attention to these details, elevating them from a fleeting glance and to offer them some permanence in this world.

The link to my Etsy site (direct to the photography): http://www.etsy.com/shop/jahollier?section_id=7136262

and to my FB page is http://www.facebook.com/jodyhollierphotography

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I borrowed this quote from Jody's facebook page...I think it speaks to the heart of every artist:

“I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is - Who in the world am I? -- Lewis Carroll

Today isn't doing it for me...how to stay in the sacred creative zone... x10

Oh yeah, we have all been there.  It doesn't matter if it is an art piece, a book chapter, craft...whatever, there are times when we sit in the studio and flip through a magazine -- anything, anything, rather than create.  Worse, we don't even go into "the studio".



I have been thinking about the tools I use to pull myself back into that creative zone -- the point where I actually paint or write.  It might be called looking for inspiration.  Here are some suggestions that might help you -- they work for me.

1.  First, you have to be in the physical space -- just commit to that part.  Go into the studio or space where you do your thing -- create.  If it is not at your home, get into the car and actually go there.

Wait, wait, wait...

You know what, I take back #1. Go sit on the patio or spread a blanket at the park or take up some room on your couch.  Go visit your favorite coffee shop, clothing store, museum, cafe.   


Now, do your thing.  Shop , think, eat, look, take in nature...just let your mind wander -- don't force any issues -- and just be.  It isn't inspirational to demean yourself because you aren't creating. That little demon only adds to your frustration and spiraling self-esteem.  So you are going to mentally redirect your thoughts -- if the negative pops up, squash it.  You will get back to the studio soon enough.


Typically, creative opposition is a combination of external and internal forces:

• external -- the light doesn't work in your studio, so in order to produce, you have to find a new light bulb and put it in and all that.
• internal -- self-talk in the form of, "you know, my work isn't all that great anyway."

Creativity is also about choices.  You can choose to work your way past it.  You can choose to coax yourself to work past it.

Coaxing yourself (my deal is painting, but you can apply the tips below for other arts)


1. Go online and look at other people's work.  This inspires me to create every single time.
2.  Go to several art galleries -- the atmosphere is 98% pure creativity -- you can't help but soak it up.
3.  Get together with colleagues who create and see what they are up to.  If you have a group or collaboration, get into a discussion about the illusive muse.
4.  Buy new materials...love this one.  I always want to use them right away.
5.  If you can't bring yourself to paint -- write about it -- think about your next project and put some goals (and sketches) on paper.  Don't write a thesis here, just jot down some thoughts. Draw, doodle, connect.
6.  Play.  Play with your paint on paper.  Go back to creating a color wheel of your paints.
Really, once you pick up the brush...it's all good.
7.  Paint a familiar theme, landscape, style, still-life.  This technique makes you feel good immediately -- you already know you are good at it.
8. Bring music into your studio.
9.  Change the studio environment with candles, rearranged furniture, added artwork, posted sayings...you get the idea.
10.  Take a power walk around the block with the promise that when you return, you will go into the studio and do one of the things on this list.  Exercise frees us, changes our head and gives us a new view.

OK now.  You can stumble, step, dive or slip into creativity.  Stay focused and positive even if it is coaxed or forced...you will soon move into that creative space again and naturally, easily, happily... do your thing.

Best wishes!



 

My love - Native American Artwork

Why Native American Art?

A friend on Face Book visited my website.  Happily, he loved it... and was surprised that I did Native American (NA) artwork.  His comments got me thinking about why I love creating NA art.  I began drawing and painting my own interpretations of NA art on my first visit to Sedona, AZ over twelve years ago.  We were fortunate to stay for two weeks -- long enough to absorb the beauty and history.  We explored, took photos (my husband is an excellent photographer) ate, talked to people, took in the historic sites and those off the beaten path.  We came to love the place. 

Eagles Return/DCR

While I was there, I filled up with a need to paint and communicate my own version of love for the spirit of NA culture.  I have wondered if my deep feelings for all things NA came from a family connection.  My great grandfather on my mother's side was full Cherokee.  As was common at that time, he was adopted by a white family, his name was changed and he became immersed in a completely different society than the one in which he was born.  I never met him.  My mom passed on when I was very young, so I really didn't get to know her side of the family and he had passed on at that time as well.

As well as watercolor and oils, my NA art has extended to the creation of fetish dolls and hand-carved, hand-sanded (38 times) and hand-decorated walking staffs -- many of them are in some nice galleries and private collections around the country.  I haven't created the fetish dolls or staffs in a long time and I am not sure I will return to them. They are very, very labor intensive and my heart has moved on for now. 

I used silver, elk hide, horse hair, fur, feathers, turquoise/other beads and copper on the staffs. The same materials went into the fetishes along with 100-year old muslin, wood, slate and pen work.

Last year, we took a trip to Santa Fe, NM.  Let me tell you, after a week in that art mecca, fabulous desert, Georgia O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch and the historic Turquoise Inn where we stayed, my being again swelled with inspiration to create Native American art.

We visited the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum in Santa Fe -- I highly recommend it.  Here is the link http://www.iaia.edu/museum/ if you are interested in American Indian art.  It is very contemporary and the artists are serious about their work.  

My NA artwork definitely has my own flair and vision.  You can see my Native American Collection of greeting cards on my website at  http://www.dcrdesign.us/index.htm

I would love in your feedback and comments.  Here's to inspiration!


Diana