Daily Drawing 36: MsKitty Staring Down Ideas
MsKitty is busy staring down ideas….do you suppose it works?
I think it’s high time I started explaining my “idea catching”. This all began a couple of weeks ago. I was reading some comments to a fellow art blogger’s posting. This particular artist works in watercolors, has recently won awards in watercolor magazines and has lots more experience than me. A reader posed the question: where do you get your ideas? What a terrific question! My brain cells did a hard right into brain pin-ball mode. It’s sort of like Topsy-Turvey-Land.
The question started bumping and rolling around my brain and hasn’t stopped. Where do I get ideas? And where might I find really CREATIVE ideas? I need to CATCH these ideas.
The answer given included one way to cultivate ideas: focus on technique. This helps on two levels. Learning technique gives you the ability to communicate your ideas. And, technique itself can be a source. Barbara Nechis’ book “Watercolor from the Heart” is all about technique as a source of inspiration.
I thought I’d post two ways I catch ideas. The sepia drawing is a way of exploring an idea. I get to see what the paint does, think about space division, and composition problems in a non-threatening way. I’m not up on stage performing! The other is a page of brain storm drawings.
I would like to continue discussing idea catching over the next few postings. In the meantime, how do you catch ideas?
Posted in Daily Drawing 2010, Idea Catching, MsKitty's Story | 
Tags: Barbara Nechis, Daily Drawing 2010, Idea Catching, Ms Kitty
12 Responses to “Daily Drawing 36: MsKitty Staring Down Ideas”
Leave a Reply
Peggy, what an interesting question. I like your answer — through exploring technique. I believe that's where mine come from. I love your daily sketches and your sepia drawing. Like you said, doing these little sketches free you up from needing to perform. I've found myself rather stuck this week with lots of other things going on and not a clear sense of what to do next. However, I've got a portrait in process, which should be an good challenge.
I like your work and your explanation. There are so many ways to "catch ideas," but I tend to spend a lot of time thinking about what I see/experience and to look for connections between things. I spend years developing a single idea, and that long process is natural for me. I wish, however, that all my ideas were good ones!
Peggy- great post!! I so appreciate you talking about idea catching and I appreciate the thought of exploring technique. I tend to have lots of ideas- but lack in the follow through. The idea loses steam- so I always love hearing how others catch ideas!! Thank you.
Idea catching is an interesting subject! I get too many ideas inspired by other's work and my brain jumps from one thing to the next! I try to limit myself to one image or theme or technique and then work through all the variations I can think off. Ideas seem to build out of each effort. I think of another variation while I am working on the currant one. I try to write them down as they are often so fleeting!
Great post, Peggy! I'd say that "brain pin-ball mode" is an excellent description of my own personal idea catching… But, that would just be an ingenuous way to avoid the question. Sometimes my ideas come out of the blue – just a sudden thought or observation that sends my mind into design mode. Sometimes my ideas come from my own experiences – trying to find ways to "illustrate" a feeling or circumstance I'm going thru. Sometimes my ideas come as I am working – basically through exploring technique. Sometimes I have NO idea and I just start working with one or more of my masks until a sense of direction starts to reveal itself. Well then, I guess "brain pin-ball mode" actually does describe my methods perfectly… -Don
I think there are so many ways to catch ideas. I agree technique is one of them, but I am so spur of the moment with a lot of my work that I just think of the brief, and what they are looking for and try to play about with composition then paint. I also mind map, which I think is brilliant for catching ideas, especially when we're given a brief with single word. For instance, I've been given a brief of Rendezvous for creative textiles. I have interpreted this as concealment, hidden layers, weaving (lies, stories, etc.), diverting, and so on. This means that I will incorporate many layers within my painting, and will incorporate woven materials, and try to divert attention to other parts of the image. I couldn't have done this without my mind map!
Oh! Thank you all for such wonderful, insightful comments about ideas! I feel honored!
Hi Mary, I know what you mean about wondering what to do next! After focusing on achieving a goal with Toy Pony still lifes, I had the "now what" disorientation feeling. That's how MsKitty's Quest was started!
Kathy, I was wondering. Do you suppose that your journey in developing an idea allows for deeper meaning? I like the idea of making connections! Maybe we have to work through the not so good ideas to get to the great ideas!
Hi Pam, I like lots of ideas! I was kind of surprised with myself. Initially, I thought exploring technique was a "put off". But, after I got over my initial reaction, I thought there was a lot of merit. I wonder if time and persistence help us with the follow through to develop a few of the many ideas!
Hi Myrna, I've read that Miro spent a couple of years avoiding other people's works for just the reason you speak of. He needed the time to concentrate on his own ideas. I am seeing the merit of focus and encouraging one idea to lead to variations on a theme.
Don, Wonderful description! I can see how being able to capitalize on different sources for ideas would be most helpful! I kind of like the mental image of "brain pin-ball"!
Heather! Wow! What a creative way to deal with given assignments and challenges! I like the idea of brain storming around a word…it opens up the mental channels to creative ideas!
It absolutely does! My mind is far more creative when I mind map. It can take you off in tangents you never even thought of, and lets you think 'outside of the box'. I know it's an overused phrase, but a true one nonetheless. Try mind-mapping an idea or word Peggy. You'll be surprised at what you come up with!
Heather, I don't think I've ever done a mind map such as you describe. I think I do simpler idea generating and organizing when I prepare to write papers. I'm thinking and researching. Do you have a mind map that would be easy for you to put on your blog? I have a sense that this is a powerful, creative tool.
Absolutely Peggy, I'll add one later today for you. I happen to have a printed one. Oooo. Lol.
Fascinating post Peggy! I get a lot of ideas when I'm relaxiing… just before sleep, waking up in the middle of the night, waking in the morning, showering, etc. The challenge is to remember them! But I also find that in doing technique based things like contour drawing or doodling ideas will arise or connect. Thanks for the great post!
They have funny pictures with captions almost all cat related 
http://icanhascheezburger.com/
Now I will share a fun link for a cat-lover
Hi Ruth, Thank you for stopping by! I thoroughly enjoyed your link, I’ll have to visit it regularly. They’re most clever! I’ll have to remember to doodle a little when I’m trying to tickle a memory of an idea back!
Thank you for introducing my to “One World One Heart!” I love the idea and went for it!