Painted Canvas

July 1, 2011

I have decided to add another page to Open Canvas, to allow for a designated space of creativity. I love art in its various forms and have been desiring a place to document my creative musings. So, we'll see how this goes. No promises. No expectations. No pre-conceived ideas. Just creativity… ready, set, go!


This, my friends, is called Blind Art. I am purposely starting with this because of it's free form... and the fact that things can only get better from here on out (disclaimer: No children were used in the creating of this "masterpiece"... Seriously, I drew this.). I have been challenged lately to create more and care less. Now, by "care less" I do not mean that I do not have any feeling or put any kind of thought into the work that I do. However, I have been know to - at times - care too much about what is being created and want to make every single thing absolutely perfect. I have been working at letting go of my perfectionistic tendencies over the years and now find abundantly more freedom in the journey rather than the result of the piece. Art has been a healing, freeing, empowering, energizing, uplifting and relaxing place for me. Blind Art is a technique introduced to me by researching the work of local artist and Expressive Arts Therapist, Tish McAllise Sjoberg, M.A., CAGS (check out her website and studio in North Park). It is used as a way to let go and relax, knowing full well that the result will look kinda funny. Here is Tish's description of Blind Art:


      "Most of these simple portraits are drawn while I am blindfolded or with eyes closed in the blind contour fashion: the pen stays on the paper for the entire time, creating one continuous line.  Once drawn, I then open my eyes to paint. This style arouse from my deep desire to paint and, right next to it, my fear that I would be stalled in perfectionism because I did not know how or what to paint. This process continues to give me pleasure and the opportunity to try new things as a painter and artmaker."


So, without further adieu, I introduce to you, "Blind Art by Amber Kaiser: A self portrait"

I know. Be impressed

It can only go up from here

Creative Challenge: grab a blank page, a pen and some markers. Ready your pen on your paper, close your eyes (no peeking!), in one fluid motion draw yourself (or pick someone else to draw... just be prepared for them to be slightly offended if you dont know them very well), pick up the pen and open your eyes, make sure you didnt forget anything (like a mouth, like I did), color it in as much as you like and voilà you have yourself your very own original piece of Blind Art! And there's nothing you can do about the way it looks. Just embrace it. 

Extra Challenge: lather, rinse, repeat… in other words, chose a new victim subject and do this every day!