Ann Dodge
The ART of IMPROV
Our next guest is Ann Dodge, she is a mixed media artist living in Northern California. Ann is a retired nurse who reengaged with her art after letting it slip away after graduating from art school. As a nurse Ann worked on the streets attending to homeless clients and has been profoundly influenced by people's ability and need to create. Beauty and whimsy flourish even under extremely challenging circumstances. Ann learned from her clients to find beauty in the most unassuming objects. Pop tops become earrings, pipe cleaners second as decorative shoe laces and jeans look cool worn inside out. As Ann has reentered her artistic life she finds inspiration by weaving parts of her past life and her new found passion into her work. One of her patients made dolls for all her caretakers, each doll had a unique and wonderful outfit. She thinks of this particular woman as she creates her own spirit beings. I can think of no better way to embrace improvisation then to create with someones spirit in mind. Let’s learn more about Ann’s way with improvisation.
Spirit 2020 Ann Dodge
What does the Art of Improv mean to you?
The art of improv means saying yes and. . . now what? Improvisational art means saying yes to what is showing up in your art and being curious about that and exploring where it takes you.
Have you always worked improvisationally?
My inclination has always been to work spontaneously. That instinct was not appreciated in art school. So, I did try and conform to what my teachers expected of me. Consequently, art did not bring me joy and I was discouraged and dropped out.
Do you work improvisationally, consciously, intentionally? If so, how do you begin? If not, how do you find yourself getting there?
I consciously work in an improvisational manner but I don’t think I have a choice. I approach my work by quieting my judging mind. Easier said than done. I try not to get attached to an outcome. I start with a blank page or a piece of cloth and just let my hands go and see what shows up. Often, I can’t stand what is coming out of me! And I think where is this coming from? What is this? If I stay curious usually it is at this point when the magic happens and something I really connect with appears.
Cosette Ann Dodge
How often do you work with improvisation?
Whether I am collecting gems off the sidewalk or rearranging my projects I am working on my art everyday.
Please share a bit about your process. Do you have methods to getting started? Do you have tricks to getting unstuck? Do you have motivators to finishing up?
I am conscious of keeping my schedule open and giving myself lots and lots of space and opportunity to delve into my art. The lack of diversions and the free time that I create for myself leaves me with few alternatives for escaping my thoughts other than working on my art. I often start a piece and smaller pieces or additional pieces begin to take shape. When I am stuck on a piece I either just set it aside and work on a “side piece” or go do dishes. Take a bath. But just as often I will start to cut the piece up, twist or tear it or bring out paint and really try to push its creative potential, often just short of destroying it. The most important thing for me is to not get too attached to a piece as I am working allowing gems to appear.
Where do you find inspiration? How do you use it?
I am inspired by my past; people, places and things. By following my stream of consciousness, my subconscious, memories are triggered and I think that is where my work is coming from.
Horse Ann Dodge
What advice would you give to someone interested in trying to work improvisationally. Can you share some good advice that you received that helped you become more comfortable this way?
The best advice I have for the improvisational artist is to let go of outcome. And, I like working with household trash. It helps me feel looser about my work. If it ‘s ugly, who cares? It is trash. I can throw it away or use it for something else.
How would you finish the sentence, ‘What if, . . .?’
What if you actually let yourself create something without worrying about the judge?
What are you reading, listening to, watching, or any other inspirational obsessions you would like to share?
I am obsessed with the Zero Waste movement. I am terribly upset by images of plastic floating islands and the bellies of dead animals filled with plastic. I create so much household trash and waste even when I am trying hard not to!! The plastic glue and gel containers and empty thread spools drive me crazy. I am incorporating as much trash in my projects as possible. Re-purposing toothbrushes, plastic bags, turning boxes into stands or plastic jars into body parts. The gift of working with trash is I work more loosely and don’t get stuck in the preciousness of my supplies and or the finished product.
Thank you Ann for sharing your improvisational spirit with us all! I share your love of making do, and using what you have, but you take it to a new level! I find it very inspiring and it has motivated me to look at ways I can incorporate new, different, and available materials into my own work. Your freedom to create and desire to let go of judgement I can definitely relate to as well. I think we all struggle with wanting what we make to be ‘liked’ by others, but I know deep down this is not what it is about, it is about the making, the process of creating what is important to you, there is simply no better way to spend your time, is there? I am so glad you found your art again, I think it knows when we need it, and comes to as at just the right time! I am happy to be able to share your work here and grateful to learn how improvisation has made an impact on it.
To learn more about Ann, her work and her process, she is @spirit_army on Instagram.
Spirit Army's Sister Garden Fresh Ann Dodge