What is Creativity?

I ask myself this question often. So, in researching this concept I came across some interesting information I thought I would pass on.

“The trait of Openness to Experience correlates with creativity, encompassing a receptivity to new ideas and experiences. People who are low in openness prefer routines and familiarity, while those who are high in openness revel in novelty, whether that is meeting new people, processing different emotions, or traveling to exotic destinations. Accumulating these experiences and perspectives can help the brain forge creative new connections. Other characteristics that are linked to creativity include curiosity, positivity, energy, persistence, and intrinsic motivation.”  

“Fortunately, however, creativity can be acquired and honed at any age or experience level!”-Psychology Today

“Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let  everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” – Andy Warhol.

“Creativity takes Courage”- Henri Matisse

“There is no innovation and creativity without failure. PERIOD.”- Brene Brown

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination”-Albert Einstein

For me, creativity is a daily practice and not judging the results. It is a matter of curiosity and experimentation.

What is CREATIVITY to YOU?

Facets of Art Interview

I have been interviewed by Facets of Art. Please click the button below to read the whole story.

BLOG MAY 2020

When Covid19 became the reality, and lockdown occurred, I was in shock. Unable to see my friends, walk into a grocery store, or socialize became the new normal that I was not accustomed to.  Shock turned to self-pity, then to anger, and now, somehow, I am embracing my solitary time and the quietness. 

For the first time since I was a child I wake-up when my body tells me to and go to bed in the same way.  I listen to music daily and sometimes find myself dancing alone.  Coming back to myself, raw, without all the stuff of life that I thought I needed was.   The concern that my toes and nails aren’t polished, or my hair has several inches of grey that is all the outside shell of me, are not that important anymore.  

Inside I feel free, free to create as I am able to hear the voice that guides my work. My childlike wonder is now with me.  

Out of all this came more conversations with my family and my husband.  My husband and I are still talking which has certainly tested all of this togetherness. All this togetherness has tested our relationship ….  We have to be creative in finding new way s to be together with our friends.  Walking has become a daily routine, with fresh air and an occasional wave to a friend. 

I am liking my new practices, without the shoulds, and schedules.

So, when thinking about what home means, it is about shelter, safety, retreat, and. familiarity. I thought about sea creatures, snails, conch, clams, who carry their homes around with them, for safety, retreat, and survival. I decided to upcycle my pinhole images in an interdisciplinary approach of collage bringing in the shell as a metaphor for our homes.

My new body of work is entitled “Shelter in Place.”

I wish you all safety in these uncertain times.

Here is one of my images.

BIG or SMALL it’s on the WALL!

I am pleased to announce one of my photographs from the Ancient Terrain series of hand-painted Iceland landscapes, is on the wall of the Coral Springs Museum of Art in the “New Acquisions / Permanent Collection Exhibition.” {It is the small one on the right!}

I want to thank Bruce Helander for his unwavering support.

To see more of my work go to: www.hopekahn.com

To see Bruce Helander’s fabulous work go to: www.brucehelander.com

Take a Risk

Take a Risk
You can be a great artist in your own studio, but ask yourself...Why am I making art?
Take the risk and enter some shows, if you get in, it will be a good resume builder!

It's kind of like the lottery. "You've got to play to win"
If you don't get your art out in the world you will never know how far it will go. Recently, I got into a museum show, here is my collage flower image.

Make your hard work pay off.

Available for viewing at the Palm Beach Photographic Museum 8/2019-10/2019

Torn Between Love

TORN BETWEEN LOVE

Torn between the love of your children, spouse or (significant other) and the love of making art.  Do you wonder how as a parent, or working person you will ever find the time to sit down and create? It can be difficult, especially when inspiration is not always happening. Right?

I often wake up early and go to the computer look at photo blogs, and just think.  Then, when I go about my day that brainstorming, I did earlier­ will incubate.

I found that I work best talking to fellow artists, and through meditation, and writing.   It is a clearing…a way to get centered. 

Ester Perel is a couple’s therapist and a fascinating speaker.  I’d like to share with you what she says are the three components in a relationship. I think they are also appropriate to making art.

1. Imitating other artists

2. Identifying with other artists­

3. Internalizing and producing our own art.

Let me know your thoughts, how you create or whatever you would like to share.

Here is a new piece from Stratosphere (working title)

Ancient Terrain Exhibit - Save the Date

ANCIENT TERRAIN

"The winter in Iceland reduces everything to a still white landscape, producing an environment of isolation – vast, barren and cold. Photographing this infertile landscape felt as though I was dropped on a strange and wonderful terrain of extreme simplicity.  I would be challenged physically, mentally, and in ways I could not predict as I explored this landscape."  - Hope Kahn

SAVE THE DATE

I will be exhibiting Ancient Terrain, a new body of hand-painted photographs from my visit to Iceland, at The Sallie & Berton Korman Gallery at CCE. The exhibit will be on display from February - March, 2019. 

OPENING RECEPTION, FOOD & MUSIC: 
MARCH 16 AT 6:00PM
THE SALLIE & BERTON KORMAN GALLERY AT CCE

425 24th Street  |  West Palm Beach, FL 33407  |  www.cceflorida.org

*Northwood Village – Just a few blocks north of downtown West Palm Beach

New Exhibit Opening November 16!

I am excited to announce my upcoming exhibit this November in West Palm Beach. For the first time, I will be showing my collection of Pinhole Nudes! Please note the corrected opening reception date listed below...

Featured Artist: Hope Kahn
Friday, November 16
at The Box Gallery
from 7-10pm
811 Belvedere Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
www.TheBoxGallery.info

"The photograph is but the bridge that provides the emotional and spiritual connection between the viewer and the art. I look for the darkness in the light, the mystery in the everyday. I spend my time blending nature and the figure into a narrative for the viewer. My mind is wandering, wondering, where my next image hides. I concede to my impulses and instincts to bring mysteries to light."   

- Hope Kahn

“Art is Everywhere.”

This lovely poem was written by a good friend and fellow photographer named Gabriele Roden. The photos that accompany this piece are by her as well. She has inspired me and I hope you feel the same. Enjoy! 

---

Art is Everywhere

I am possessed to chase the details,
Not to miss any abandoned pieces of the puzzle.
When I slow down
I find them scattered all around me.

The tossed apple that floats
On a bed of seaweed.
The rusty shovel
That planted sunflowers in another season.
A piece of washed up driftwood
That leans against bleached shingles, 
eligible for a fine sculpture in a museum.  

In other words, “Art is Everywhere”,
A teacher told me.
Now I see it, each one a gift,
A story that wants to be told,
anchored in place, waiting for me to discover.

A reunion of sorts,
Both of us bringing our story.
Each object in the spotlight
Between my lens and the setting sun. 

August 2018/Rockport

So, you are bored, and unmotivated as an artist?

Living in your head? Here’s what I did to break the cycle of no inspiration:

Get in your studio, paint, or get out and photograph or Plein Aire paint, or get behind your computer or whatever your medium is for creating.

If you wait for motivation, you may be waiting a long time… motivation comes in the process of creation, one thing will lead to another. 

Sometimes I just get out of the house, take a walk, or sit quietly and close my eyes. If you live in a city there are tons of options for motivating yourself. All the obvious of course, the museums and galleries, but how about walking a new way, trying a different street, looking at window displays?

I used to say to my mother, “I’m bored” and she would tell me to just do something!  I remember I would put a 45 on my record player and be transported!  (Yes, I gave my age away with that one!)

Now get out there, there is no excuse. 

Finding the Best Images to Wax and Paint

When choosing an image to make an Encaustic painting, I look for 3 important things:

1. It must be a good image! Don’t think waxing is going to solve a bad image. Your picture must have good “bones” to start with. i.e. leading lines, rule of thirds, etc.
2. Look for an image that has a lot of white space in which to paint, as there is not a lot to paint when the image is too dark. 
3. You must have a sturdy paper to hold the wax and paint without cracking. Choose an Archival Paper that is 308g/m or better. I find Hahnemuhle Natural or Bight 308gm or Epson Hot Press or Cold Press paper 330 g/m to work the best!