Orla, watching you is so encouraging and inspiring! Thank you for the reminder that, often, the answers we're looking for come from doing the actual work. And I always appreciate the encouragement to just play. ☺ Thanks again for your hard work and generous spirit!
Yes! The gap between what you love in other artist’s work, and what you create as an artist, is so important to understand. It’s a gap I step in and out of all the time, moving away from my own aesthetic taste, feeling frustrated by what I’m creating, then moving back to my own true ‘hand of the artist’. Thank you for talking so clearly about this.
Absolutely! I'm really glad I spotted it before being led down that path for too long - I suppose it's something we can only really figure out by doing. If you have any pointers or things you do when you're in this gap I'd love to know, as I think I'm still working my way out of it myself 😊
I'm still finding my style but like the idea of working on multiple pieces at a time. I have done that once before and make do that with each idea to fully explore it. Thanks for the inspo! 🎨 🖼
you ALWAYS fill me up with so much inspiration every time you post. it's amazing. your work is amazing. your energy is amazing. thank you for sharing your process and thoughts with us. you're truly a treasure. :-) xo
So glad to have found an "experimental and fearless artist". I really enjoy listening to how you process your thoughts and use brushstrokes to let go and just do....with little intention but to find, maybe some part of you in your art. Keep smiling and being fearless, from a moral rebel. Thanks Orla, Jo.😊
Orla, I absolutly loved the video and the text on substack, and you really instilled that ah-ah moment in me!! Kind of a revelation, that the art we love to look at or are inspired by is not necessarily the art we love making!!🤩 I feel it resolved a long term inner struggle of mine, in which I didn't quite understood my style/needs/motivations.... so thanks a lot!! Always a pleasure to hear your insightful thoughts on creative process, and I must admit, I have to rewatch the video couple of times, because between images of what you are creating and all the infos you are transmitting my mind get's overwhelmed!! Hehe, in a good way though!😉
That’s so great to hear!! 😄 hahah I know what you mean, there was a lotttt of info in this one - reflecting my very busy mind this month 😅 the next video is going to be a little lighter and more play based I think 😊 xx
Another wonderful and inspiring video! Seems to me that the more I try to follow your methods, the more my work looks like me. Which cant be a bad thing.
Loved this video as always, you are so open and embrace play and discovery. I'm currently doing a big play, shift. Unfortunately my darling Dad died in Jan. He was also an artist, but very different style and colour palette to me. So I've been finding ways to use his favourite colour - orange (which I hated) and have discovered an entirely new palette, mixing his oranges with my favourite pinks. A lovely way to honour him.
Hello, and thank you for your kind words! I’m so sorry for your loss. That is beautiful! Such a special way to connect with him, and bring into your own art 🩵
This was so insightful! I feel like a lightbulb went off when you said that what you find pleasing in others' work versus what you find aesthetic and pleasing when you're creating your own work can be completely different. It made me feel way more accepting of how I create my work even though it may not look like what I personally hang on my wall.
I really enjoyed this video, your process and everything you said and how you explained it... thanks so much for sharing I feel sooo inspired to flow and create!!! I'm exited to try this, also really nice paper! hope you keep sharing your process with us!!!!!
Hi Orla thank you for another interesting video. Loved seeing you work on Khardi paper. My daughter gave me a Khardi sketchbook for Xmas and I've been really enjoying its texture and absorbency. I've been trying out different materials on it to see what happens. Thanks again......Alioban ❤
Hello! Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed. It's beautiful eh? I didn't know they made sketchbooks, that sounds amazing. Will have to look into it! It's definitely a paper I need to work with more to get the hang of it, and especially loving how it absorbs the watercolour & inks. Happy experimenting! x
Loved your video! I’m exploring a lot of styles right now - trying to paint things realistically, and also experimenting with abstraction. I’m becoming a bit of a style hopper lol. Anyway love your work!
I LOVE the edges haha. I'm still struggling with the texture of it though. I like working on super smooth paper, but I do like the more organic quality of it. Do you work straight into it, or gesso it first?
@@OrlaStevens i work straight onto it, but it does fight the paint, i'm used to painting on unprimed canvas though so don't mind a fight :) you might prefer deckle edged watercolour paper for something smoother, or as you say if you gesso it first it will be less absorbent and rough.
