searching for my style

Things have been super hectic over here...but in such a great way!! I have been using my sketches from Herstory while I paint...as inspiration. and speaking of inspiration...I was a little apprehensive about signing up for Danielle's class because of the time factor...but I am so glad I did!!! Her videos are amazing, inspiring and are allowing me to define my art in a very personal way. You guys...if you are struggling with finding your style, are stuck in a creative rut or simply want to take an amazing class ...this is it!!! She speaks to me in a way I understand...straight to my heart and soul. I am ever so grateful to be able to learn from her.

One of the things I am finding my way back to is incorporating Indian text into my work. It's very personal to me, very important to me because, you see, I have completely lost my mother tongue. English is my first and only language and it pains me greatly that I have lost this part of mySELF...so..using Indian text in this way allows me to reclaim a small part of it in some way.

This background was created using a few of the new techniques I'm learning from Danielle...I have absolutely no idea where this painting will lead. That's so much of the fun, isn't it??

In other news...over the weekend I helped Tara bake her very first apple pie!!! It was cinnamon-ey goodness all over the place! Tara was so proud and happy! I finally feel as if we are settling into a school routine over here. I have so much more to share...be back soon!!

searching for my style

 I have been unpacking some of my paintings these past few days...and I realise that I am still searching for my style. I think all my paintings have a cohesive feel to them but then I wonder...are they all too similar? Am I stuck? Am I scared  to evolve ...change? As much as I really want to get back to painting right away...putting paint to canvas... I think I need to do some soul work...exposing/writing/discovering/playing in paint first...which got me thinking...how do I find my style anyway? I think a lot of us struggle with this...

Here are a few things I came up with from reading what other artists do plus my own experience...
1. read and expose myself to as many other artists as possible
2. collect elements that I love (shape, line, color combinations, text, pics, fabrics) of visuals that speak to me. Put them up on my inspiration board or sketchbook
3. write write write...about my art, about what I want to convey. Write poetry or journal. I find that in my words lie the seeds of my he(ART)
4. paint! Without expectations... Don't be afraid of making mistakes or wanting every piece to turn out a certain way...experiment, play, invent, be silly, try different techniques. Make a happy mess and fall flat on my face:)  Work through the frustration and ugly parts of a painting...
5. pay attention to my intuition. What is it that my heart is telling me?
6. realise that while I may admire other artists' work...only I can bring into the world the pieces of mySELF that I pour into my art
7. know that we are all creative souls in bloom. And it takes courage big and huge and wide and deep to put ourSELVES out there and and do what we do

                                      (Creative Soul in Bloom, archival prints coming soon!)
Do you have any tips, techniques, stories to share about finding your style? Are you still searching too? I would love to know!
* If you have stopped by from the OWOH bloghop, please scroll down to my previous post to enter my giveaway. Thanks!