I’m just now thinking what I would do in a similar situation. It’s not easy. It makes me wonder if taking a tube of while acrylic gouache could work - then one can paint a white layer over any bad drawings and at least draw again with coloured pencils. Coloured pencils work quite well on top of acrylic gouache.
A local colleague or friend could help you buy what you need from Tokopedia or Shopee or some other online service? likely possible to deliver to you in Timor Leste. Unless you’ve already explored these options.
This is quite a fascinating experiment! I would probably just bring a whole lot of mechanical pencil lead and paper. I do most of my work just by pencil, and I seldom actually ruin a piece of paper but that's because I approach each one with the delicacy one might apply to disarm a ticking bomb.
I actually first thought that was what I would be doing and bought a lot of mechanical pencils. They are certainly the minimalist art tool par excellence. But it turned out I want colours too much for that to work for me
Wow. What a great opportunity and horrifying at the same time. This is scarcity not minimalism by choice. I was oddly relieved at the very end knowing that if you do run out there is a backup plan (albeit extremely expensive) of hopping a plane to Indonesia. At the same time, like a meditation practice, limiting yourself to the present is a fascinating experience. Practicing with a new medium and having a plan before painting. Looking forward to reading more!
The heaviest baggage that we carry with us is the mental one! I hope you can enjoy the experience and just see what happens. If it doesn’t, how much does it matter? I wonder if the constraints may prompt you to be more creative and repurpose pages? Sometimes we have too much choice.
This is SO interesting and I hope you have an amazing time/adventure living in such a different culture 💕 I actually limit my materials quite often to try and avoid overwhelm, I find it helps me to focus on the work rather than on the plethora of materials… shaking up the way you work could be good but I felt acute pain at the scarcity of paper, that must be so hard, glad you’ve found a way around it, could it also be fun to experiment with making art on cereal boxes/leaves/alternative canvases? I’m not sure how you feel about that but it’s probably where my brain would go 😅 sending love x
I like limiting my materials usually too - but I am finding it feels very different when I can no longer simply *choose* to end my limitiation experience voluntarily, when I am sick of the experiment! And I really like it that any art people buy is on archival materials too, so their purchase doesnt fade away on their wall. But there is an exciting new plant experiment happening now, I am getting ready to post that next!
Totally get the want to make art purchasable with archival materials - I guess it also impacts price of sale for artworks… I can’t wait to follow your journey with this, I hope it gets easier and unlocks new exciting things for you and your work 💕
Oh Helen, this is such a huge adventure! I was thinking about what I would do and came to the conclusion I would have to strap supplies on my body to get on the plane. Could be interesting at security. I'm really excited for you - sometimes having a limited ANYTHING makes for real magic. Looking forward to seeing how the muses help!
I’m just now thinking what I would do in a similar situation. It’s not easy. It makes me wonder if taking a tube of while acrylic gouache could work - then one can paint a white layer over any bad drawings and at least draw again with coloured pencils. Coloured pencils work quite well on top of acrylic gouache.
I didn’t think of that! It’s quite a handy tip. But alas, now I am here without the white gouache!
A local colleague or friend could help you buy what you need from Tokopedia or Shopee or some other online service? likely possible to deliver to you in Timor Leste. Unless you’ve already explored these options.
This is quite a fascinating experiment! I would probably just bring a whole lot of mechanical pencil lead and paper. I do most of my work just by pencil, and I seldom actually ruin a piece of paper but that's because I approach each one with the delicacy one might apply to disarm a ticking bomb.
I actually first thought that was what I would be doing and bought a lot of mechanical pencils. They are certainly the minimalist art tool par excellence. But it turned out I want colours too much for that to work for me
thank you for sharing the sheer weight & (heavy) load of your impending art. intrigued to see what is produced in your timorese era :))
Thanks Dee- I think everything might be indigo next time you hear from me - it grows wild here, I am obsessed
love it. the indigo period! xx
Wow. What a great opportunity and horrifying at the same time. This is scarcity not minimalism by choice. I was oddly relieved at the very end knowing that if you do run out there is a backup plan (albeit extremely expensive) of hopping a plane to Indonesia. At the same time, like a meditation practice, limiting yourself to the present is a fascinating experience. Practicing with a new medium and having a plan before painting. Looking forward to reading more!
I have the added benefit of having a son who lives in Indonesia, so I have an extra incentive to get on the plane and visit, despite the horrid price!
The heaviest baggage that we carry with us is the mental one! I hope you can enjoy the experience and just see what happens. If it doesn’t, how much does it matter? I wonder if the constraints may prompt you to be more creative and repurpose pages? Sometimes we have too much choice.
Thank you Michela. My practice is definitely changing, and I think I really did need that refreshment
Ike so curious as to what the end result will be!
It might be really boring because I feel so risk averse! We shall see…
This is SO interesting and I hope you have an amazing time/adventure living in such a different culture 💕 I actually limit my materials quite often to try and avoid overwhelm, I find it helps me to focus on the work rather than on the plethora of materials… shaking up the way you work could be good but I felt acute pain at the scarcity of paper, that must be so hard, glad you’ve found a way around it, could it also be fun to experiment with making art on cereal boxes/leaves/alternative canvases? I’m not sure how you feel about that but it’s probably where my brain would go 😅 sending love x
I like limiting my materials usually too - but I am finding it feels very different when I can no longer simply *choose* to end my limitiation experience voluntarily, when I am sick of the experiment! And I really like it that any art people buy is on archival materials too, so their purchase doesnt fade away on their wall. But there is an exciting new plant experiment happening now, I am getting ready to post that next!
Totally get the want to make art purchasable with archival materials - I guess it also impacts price of sale for artworks… I can’t wait to follow your journey with this, I hope it gets easier and unlocks new exciting things for you and your work 💕
Oh Helen, this is such a huge adventure! I was thinking about what I would do and came to the conclusion I would have to strap supplies on my body to get on the plane. Could be interesting at security. I'm really excited for you - sometimes having a limited ANYTHING makes for real magic. Looking forward to seeing how the muses help!
I think Ive been on a sketching trip with that artist who has strapped everything to their body!
For sure this is shaking everything up, and that is going to be all for the good