The Rhythm Method

make your art sing

It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing.

Duke Ellington and lyricist Irving Mills were on to something with their wildly popular tune, It Don't Mean a Thing (If You Ain't Got That Swing). What I am referring to is rhythm - artistic rhythm.

“Art is the rhythmic expression of feeling.” Harold Speed

I read that quote this past week that got me thinking. Artistic rhythm is the key that separates self-expression from artistic self-expression. The work that draws us in, our most successful art, is executed with rhythm.

There are three ways to attain that rhythmic expression. The first is the use of the elements of art, the tools with which you construct your art and create rhythm.

The second is the principles of art - the rules you apply to the elements to organize your work into a rhythmic whole. A good (or great) piece of art occurs when you select design principles to reinforce the expressive idea you wish to communicate and rely on the dominance of one element or principle to establish rhythm. Many of the principles and elements of art are words that we regularly associate with rhythm: balance, repetition, space, line, pattern, unity, harmony, dominance, and contrast.

The result of pulling all of these elements and principles together into your work to create artistic rhythm is called composition.

According to Wikipedia, "composition means 'putting together,' and can apply to any work of art, from music to writing to photography, that is arranged or put together using conscious thought."

But remember, there's a third way to achieve rhythm, and it is the most important way. It is the one that truly separates good art from not-so-good art.

You must add your own artistic rhythm.

I love to create work that makes my heart sing. I create with the inner rhythm of an artist in love with what she is doing. My art echoes the beat of my heart. The lyricism of my soul. It's no coincidence that I do the happy dance when I finish a piece.

This unwritten aspect of art, the one that draws people to your work, is the imprint of your personality on your art. If you allow yourself to create to your own rhythm (no matter how different it looks from what everyone else is doing), your rhythm will resonate with others. As Dr. Seuss might say,

"You must be as you as you can be."

It is imperative that you march to the beat of a different drummer, sing your own song, and dance like nobody's watching.

As the song goes, who could ask for anything more? Actually, there is something more. I have an offer for you. My online composition workshop, Compose+Yourself, created a few years ago, has been refreshed and is ready again for prime time.

It includes 10 wonderful, artfully and lovingly created lessons making art composition easy and fun to understand and put into practice. More importantly, the workshop will enable you to put the most important ingredient into your artwork - YOU, thus the name, Compose+Yourself.

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As a gift for my upcoming birthday, I am offering it as a gift to current paid subscribers. If you would like to get in on the fun and become a better artist, you, too, can receive the workshop for the ridiculously low $50 investment of a 1-year subscription to Further to Fly. Compose+Yourself is not only a course, it is really an invaluable tool you will use the rest of your life. Get more info HERE.

Here’s what past students say:

I really got a lot out of the class and feel I have more tools to evaluate compositions, both mine and others.  I am really paying attention to everything around me.  I look outside, look for patterns and colors that I see on the internet, in art, in nature, on the clothes someone is wearing, etc. I think I did those things before the class but having you teach about it made it on more of a conscious level for me. Thank you so much for all the wisdom you shared.
Sona Nast

Thank you, Lesley. The info you give us in each lesson has been of great value. And your composition checklist is a wonderful tool. It helps me -- finally -- get somewhat of a grip on the "elements" and "principles" that I had read before, but never fully comprehended. That overall topic had always seemed to me to be a LOT to try to keep in my head, all at one time, especially since I approach art-making from the right side of the brain. But what I plan to do from now on is to bring a painting or collage to a point where I feel blocked; and this will be my signal to get out your checklist. Going thru the list will guide me as to the next step(s) to take. Thank you for everything you have presented so far, and please know that I look forward to the next lesson!
Cecilia Swatton

Oh my gosh..absorbed by color and classroom 5&6 over weekend. Felt like Alice in Wonderland. Cannot wait for my holiday break, to play with color and create. Art, mindful of rules of nature to guide me! Gratefully,
Kay Kosak Abrams, PhD. AbramsandAssociates.com

And a couple results from the after-class survey question:
How did the class meet your expectations?
Responses:

*Just right. I can tell you worked hard and put a ton of research and intent into creating AND keeping this class flowing. You were an excellent FACILITATOR...making things facile/easier for the student because you did the roadwork and gave it to us in doable chunks. I like how you made things understandable when many instructors won't take the time to explain so all can understand a concept or go at it from many perspectives like you do. I remember well your SEEK free series of interviews years ago where...I believe it was Susan Tuttle said it takes about 3 months of hard work to put together an online class. I know from the knowledge and skill set covered in this course, you had to have done far more work than than 3 months worth.

*I really did not have an expectation. I have been in awe of every word and every lesson.

Once you have upgraded to a paid subscription, you will receive course access within a day or two.

PS. A heads up. I am also working on refreshing another online course, Closing the Creativity Gap. When that is ready, it will be available to all Founding Member subscribers, also at less than 1/2 price of the original offering. You can choose that option now in anticipation for the release or upgrade at any time for the difference in subscription costs.

Quote of the Week

Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist:
Only give me the chance to do my very best.
Isak Dinesen