Artist’s life

The art of being idle

Congratulations! You have just started reading a blog post that encourages you to be idle in order to improve your creative work.  So relax, put your feet up and read on to find out how being idle can be turned into the art of being idle.   Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America said, “It is the working man who is a happy man. It is the idle man who is the miserable man.” This quote reflects a common misunderstanding about the benefits of being busy versus the benefits of being idle. It is important to clear this problem up for us creative… Read More »The art of being idle

Increasing learning in the studio

A group of scientists recently looked into the most effective ways of learning. They suggested that long sessions and all-nighters don’t give us the best opportunity to learn.  After reading about this 12 months ago, I changed my weekly studio calendar.  I found from a simple change, there are advantages for developing your artistic practice and increasing learning in the studio.  I now visit my studio multiple times in a week and do 2-3 hours, I not only achieve more, I also learn more.     Related link to; ‘increasing your learning in the studio’ Youtube Video: Spaced repetition in learning theory   This is because our minds store information in many… Read More »Increasing learning in the studio

Stuart Bush Studio Blog, When it is advisable to wrong, My typical day as a painter

I wish I could paint every day

I wish I could paint every day… Every day I paint I have an adventure into the unknown. Every day I am excited by the possibilities in the work. Every day I paint I enjoy the production of novelty the most. Every day I paint, I decide what I want to work on the night before.  My unconscious mind thinks and contemplates it overnight. The next day I effortlessly to know where to start. Stuart Bush Studio Notes: paint every day Painting Freedom – Albert Oehlen review Every day I paint I don’t make it overly complicated. Every day I paint my studio has to be free from distractions so l… Read More »I wish I could paint every day

Places to go for inspiration

When I enter my studio I often have times when I need to be inspired.  No matter what l do l meet resistance. I walk around the room, or I sit feeling frustrated with a closed mind.  My mind doesn’t feel like being creative.  Fighting this situation never works. All that happens is that l waste the day. I have to get out.  I need to find a place to go to for inspiration.   Over time, l have learnt to embrace these moods and seek solace and inspiration elsewhere.  Near my studio, I have a lovely country walk.  Whatever the weather, I put my shoes on and head off.  … Read More »Places to go for inspiration

The benefits of adversity

The Benefits of Adversity Many children spend a lot of their time with their peers.  In my childhood, I changed schools five times. This meant l had to learn to start over again and again.  At the time I couldn’t see the benefits of adversity. I could only see the challenges of the upheavals.  Making friends and building strong relationships was a continual challenge.  It felt like before I knew it, I was moving again. As I didn’t have easy and regular access to friends, I naturally was drawn to the easy path of finding things to do on my own. I didn’t spend my time playing sports.  I was shy… Read More »The benefits of adversity

Starting the day as an artist

What I struggle with as an artist – Starting the day On entering my studio, I often find myself in a low emotional state, where I am not in the mood to make work.  This often happens when I have rushed around to get the kids to school, tidied up and done some basic housework.  On those mornings I feel worn out before the day of work has started.  I am very conscious that I am tired and overwhelmed with life and it all pressures. However, I am also often determined to try to move out of this negative state of mind and get back to being productive. I have… Read More »Starting the day as an artist

Timeout from my art studio

After working too much I took some much needed time out.   As well as being an artist and working full time, in my ‘spare’ time l am also a RFU rugby coach for an under 10s junior rugby team.  Rugby has always been an important part of my life.  This year for our weekend away, our tour, we played a local team in Herefordshire, near Wales and we also went Paint Balling!   The rugby tour is an opportunity to provide memories that will last a lifetime.  It gives the young team and Coaches a chance to get away from home; to get to know each other and build… Read More »Timeout from my art studio

7 lessons to developing a painting practice

7 lessons I have learnt on my way to develop a painting practice. I always felt I excelled as an artist when I painted, ‘Hopes and Fears’. The idea and success of ‘Hopes and Fears’ seemed to come out of nowhere. I started painting, and the result just happened.  It just seemed to work without a lot of effort. I had painted one of my greatest accomplishment to date, and now I want to understand its success so I can reproduce the results. I had been overthinking about what was working within my art.  I kept trying and became confused. Then I slowly began to realise that when I am… Read More »7 lessons to developing a painting practice

Stuart Bush’s Charity Art Sale

Stuart Bush’s Charity Art Sale – helping to give something back to the community I am acutely aware of the vital role of the Air Ambulance has in getting doctors to the scene of life-threatening emergencies and airlifting people to a hospital.  I am also aware that the Air Ambulance exists only with the help and support of the local community.   I have decided to combine this art exhibition by supporting the local community.   For this unique one-off exhibition l have also reduced my prices to allow more people to buy art.   This art exhibition is more than just about me and my art, it is about giving… Read More »Stuart Bush’s Charity Art Sale

What I am struggling with as an artist

About a year ago I met up with a group of artists.  The conversations were varied and interesting.  Then we turned to one question that we all had a problem with.  What do we each feel embarrassed to be struggling with regarding our art? I was hesitant at first to give an honest answer to the question as it made me feel vulnerable. However, I was pleased I did give an honest answer as I learnt a lot from the response. I have my first solo show for a number of years starting on 18th April 2018. All of the feelings and embarrassment about my art had resurfaced and I thought… Read More »What I am struggling with as an artist